Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Social Technology Taster Workshop

Today our section with the assistance of Ireland Ireland ran a workshop with local community services workers on the range of Web 2.0 tools that are available. We had a look at some WIKIS and BLOGS and digital stories. Words like sharepoint, podcasts and Youtube started to have some meaning. We asked ourselves whether technology can in fact strengthen our relationships with clients and other workers. How can we use these tools as ways to empower our clients and assist both clients and workers into the digital age.

The web 2.0 tools are low cost and relatively easy.

Mobile Technology

I too have learnt a lot about web 2.0 tools this year and have enjoyed starting on the journey of discovery - I do, however, have a long way to go but feel ok about that. One of the things that I really like about the newer technologies is that they recognise that people learn and approach the world in very different ways and then provide us with a means to connect and communicate with each other more effectively and creativiely. With the newer technology we are able to be truely mobile and access what we need no matter where we might be. This of course creates challenges about how, when and why we access information and learning but I guess that is something we will all work out with time and experience.

Way to go! Community Services at Northern Beaches

It has been my pleasure to work with the team at Northern Beaches on this LearnScope project. Their never ending enthusiasm for all things new is very refreshing. I have had the privilege of assisting in facilitating some of the learning that has occured as part of this project and am very pleased to see the transition in confidence with new technologies displayed by the team.A number of tools investigated have already been implemented in the classroom with the students. A very positive reaction to these new learning tools has been experienced. I think that this team thinks carefully about using technology to improve teaching, and hence improve the learning experience for the students. They are not using technology just for technology sake which can so easily happen!Congratulations to the team, the journey has been most rewarding for me and I know has been exciting (if not hard work) for the team.