You're IT

[Jean Anning]

Rather than clutter our shiny, brand new ning with orphaned groups I am asking if there is enough interest to start a group called 'You're IT'.

Membership open to all. Rules are simple -
Each week one member posts about a simple Web 2.0 application or site.

• must be FREE
• not require local installation (to get around block on .exe files at most schools)
• have an educational use

During the week 'You're IT' members trial the site/application and give feedback.

The original poster chooses one of their friends to post the next week.

What do you think? Reply or message me - if there is sufficient interest I'm offering to start the ball rolling. :)

[Russel Montgomery]

Jean

I'm interested but I don't know if I could sustain it.

I am a bower bird. i collect all sorts of IT stuff. But I do it on an ad hoc, as i come across it basis.

My del.icio.us account name is montgorp. You free, obviously, to take whatever you want.

Perhaps we could do something with delicious as a compromise. I don't know. Like I said. I'm interested but I doubt that I could continue to give it my attention.

Russel

[Jean Anning]

Not a lot of attention required Russel - you are under no obligation to contribute each week - just when your friend dobs you in to write the next week's post.

[Russel Montgomery]

Jean

Ok then, count me in.

Russel

[Penny Coutas]

I'll play!!!

[Peter Spicer-Wensley]

Hi Jean
Sending this from my iPod Touch from the kitchen table (while scoffing down fetta, olives and bread) I thought what a great idea!
The problem isn't with the technology it is with the abundance of resources and rapidity of change. The web is such a feast that it is all too easy to be swamped by the overwhelming number of new tricks and toys. I think it was Alvin Toffler in the book Future Shock that identified the impact too much technological change in too short a time. The upshot being that "future shock" or change fatigue - whatever you want to call it - is alive and well in teacher land. Many teachers are so scared of technology to the extent that many are hoping to retire or die before being forced to use technology. Having said that - as we saw with the RIGHT technology (such as ClickView) even committed technophobes WILL use technology if it is worth their while.
This is the challenge - making it worth their while to invest the time and effort to learn a new trick (before someone comes up with another one).
Having everyone put their oar in is a great idea!
PeterSW

[Jean Anning]

I'm envious - feta, olives and bread - a good bottle of red and it would be heaven.

I empathise with people who are suffering from 'change fatigue' - everything seems to move and change very quickly. I set up the You're IT group so all of us could share just one or two favourite applications or websites and by the end of the year we would have built a useful resource with minimal effort on everyone's part.

However, as Paul so rightly points out, the problem with doing this inside a ning is that we are the only ones who hear it - see the Cone of Silence Video on my echalk page- a bit like preaching to the converted (the other side of the coin - could be looked at as a good example of working with the living)

I know that using Edna is an alternative, it does allow open web access but in my experience a lot of teachers are still finding the interface confusing and off-putting. Registering and logging in is difficult for some and when they do 'get in' they don't know where to go :(

I have re- jigged my much ignored blog and am in the process of setting up a Web Wonder of the Week post. I would be interested in using the blog to feature websites and applications suggested by You're IT group members.

BTW - the original premise of You're IT was that members would take it in turns to write up their 'favourite thing' and then pick the next person - a bit like kids' chasey or tag - I am picking PETER SPICER-WENSLEY to provide the next 'must-have' post Thanks Peter :)

[Peter Spicer-Wensley]

I was thinking about this and I have found some good video sites recently :
I have enjoyed Steven Fry interviews for VideoJug:
http://www.videojug.com/interview/stephen-fry-technology
http://www.videojug.com/interview/stephen-fry-the-internet
http://www.videojug.com/interview/stephen-fry-learning

I also enjoy YouTube for finding cool musical instruments and animations:
The Hang Hand Drum is my favourite at present - it's a steel drum invented in Switzerland in 2000 that looks like a flying saucer but is VERY hard to buy at present as only 500 or so are made worldwide by two guys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LfJLvuZqmQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rXcdcDB2S8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLl2eBGZlF0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR3TbWh_1dg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd58pPgmivI

and of course Kiwi which you will have seen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs

or the WoW Beer Song!!! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlULgi92zK8
(not very educational)

But the number one thing I am using at present to improve my web experience is GMBMG "Give Me Back My Google" http://www.givemebackmygoogle.com/ this does a google search using inurl removes to remove ads and give you back the older cleaner more useful Google. Not exactly Web 2.0 but certainly useful.

What do you think?
Draft 1.0

PeterSW

[Peter Spicer-Wensley]

Hi Jean, Ciao Chalkers,

Sorry - the word of the month - mea culpa - I have been busy and tardy and wanted to post the Your IT Site for February - maybe once a week is too ambitious - maybe once a month might be easier... anyhow here is my vote for the inaugural Web 2.0 Your IT site :

http://www.wetheteachers.com/

This is a teachers only site to allow teachers to share resources, tools and ideas in forums "for life, liberty and the pursuit of education".

"Join the first community created solely for teachers. Create a personal profile, send messages, join groups tailored to your interests, and much more. Share your lesson plans and search for more. Attach comments to them, give them ratings, and help promote the best education possible."

There are a few hundred lesson plans in standard document formats and a few tools but the forums look active and there are over three thousand teachers registered on the site. The groups are a nice idea also.

Well worth a look. If you are looking for teacher tools - http://www.teachertools.org/ is probably a better bet but for Web 2.0 www.wetheteachers.com looks promising.

Enjoy!

Ciao for niao!

PeterSW

[John Travers]

Good idea Jean. Provides a bit of structure and purpose, which I need to keep focused. I'd be happy to do a session.

[Jean Anning]

Thanks John. I'm hoping to be able to step out and let the whole thing run itself :)

Peter has said he will do the next post to the You're IT group forum and then he gets to choose the next presenter (victim?) and so on.