SocialSoftware
From LearnSpace
Web2: Social Software
'Social Software' - interactive collaborative software, is one of the key features of 'Web2'.
Web2 definition (http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html)
Web2 is about:
- Moving beyond CONTENT
- Ease of use
- Interactivity
- Collaboration & sharing
- Customization
- Personal Publishing
NOKIA have grasped the social constructivist nature of wireless mobile devices. View their TV add for the NSeries phones, and note the keywords that are displayed - these are some of the key attributes of web2/Social Software/Social Construction!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35q7HGdKGu8
Giedre's Social Software Presentation (http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~giedre/undergraduate_PD/)
Download the following PDF and read the chapter: "Social Networks" by Leon Cych - its a good overview of the potential of social software in education.
Emerging_Technologies_Accessibility.pdf (http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/pdfs/Emerging_Technologies_Accessibility.pdf)
Educause article on NextGeneration eLearning Systems
2007 Report from JISC: What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701.pdf
YouTube Video overview of Web2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
Web2.0 is even getting coverage in the NZHerald (http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/pdfs/NZHeraldweb2.pdf) and Time Magazine!
Interesting Time Magazine Articles
I really should read Time Magazine more often! I came across an issue brimming with Web2 articles from December 25 2006 - #51 [1] (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/pacific/0,9263,503061225,00.html).
Web2 (or more directly YOU [2] (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1570743,00.html)) is named 'person of the year' for 2006!!! [3] (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1569514,00.html)
A good overview of Web2 [4] (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1570705,00.html) - plus a nice image mind-map of web2 services (only in print version).
An overview/history [5] (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1570721,00.html) and early video [6] (http://www.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2006/photoessay/youtube/) of YouTube development.
Also of interest:
Overview of "World of Warcraft" [7] (http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/world_of_warcraft/).
SouthPark WOW parody episode:
There was a great episode of SouthPark parodying WOW recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4I45CzB4k
iPhone Flash Demo [8] (http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2007/iphone/).
Why is this important in education?
An article in the latest New Zealand TUANZ Topics magazine asks "Are web2 communication tools such as blogs, wikis, webcasts and podcasts now an essential part of the teacher's toolkit?" (From a secondary school perspective)
They conclude:
"You and I are the last generation that has the perogative of deciding whether or not we're going to embrace technology. But the kids we are teaching now, the ones that are under my watch in the classroom, they aren't given that same perogative. If they don't master these skills, I'm actually dooming them to a lower level of opportunity...
The thing we need to understand about the type of learners coming to us today is that not only do they have different tools, but they actually process differently.
Most kids are walking around with one or two cellphones in their pocket, using them to text their friends, surf the Web, take photos, and post to their blogs. And yet as soon as they get to school they're told to turn the cellphones off.
If we'd just let students work to their strengths, instead of their weaknesses, we'll start to celebrate what they can do, and what they come to the classroom with - and that is a propensity toward technology."
Putt, S. (2007, March/April). Get with the program. TUANZ Topics, 17, 35-38.
Blogs & RSS
http://www.activerefresh.com/abilon/
http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-readers.htm
Wikis
Frappr Maps
example group Frappr map setup (http://www.frappr.com/innovatingelearning)
Social Bookmarking
Image Sharing
Podcasting
Instant Messaging
Meebo - IM in a web browser! (http://www.meebo.com)
Example MeeboSidebar screenshot.
Video Casting
Mobile version of YouTube (Note: YouTube is now owned by Google!) http://m.youtube.com/
You can find the Remixer from your account page by going to "My Videos" and clicking the "Remix Video" button next to any video which you'd like to remix. ...
"http://www.youtube.com/ytremixer_about" About YouTube Remixer
Sometimes, instant gratification video is just the thing you need.
If you've ever uploaded from your cell phone, wished for an easy way to add titles and transitions, or just wanted to remix your own videos, Remixer is a great place to play. It lets you assemble your new video in an easy drag-and-drop timeline, and then publish it right back to YouTube. Your original videos will stay exactly the same."
YouTube also have some other cool features: http://www.youtube.com/testtube
Finally - the mobile version of YouTube is now live: http://m.youtube.com and you can upload videos to YouTube directly from a video capable mobile phone via MMS - every YouTube account has a 'secret' youtube mms address: xxxxxxxxxxx@mms.youtube.com
Other online video uploading & editing options include:
Jumpcut (http://www.jumpcut.com)
Photobucket (http://www.photobucket.com)
File Sharing
Google Tools
http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/
GMail
Google Calendars
http://www.google.com/calendar
Google Maps
Google Earth
Google Software Pack
Google Pack (http://pack.google.com/)
Google Talk
Google Mobile
Google Reader
Google Docs (Formerly Writely.com)
Google Pages (Web based WYSIWYG editor and web hosting)
iGoogle (Customizable Google Homepage)
Other
ebible (http://www.ebible.com)
Web2.0 Roundup (http://www.go2web20.net/)
Go2Web2.net - Social Site Directory (http://mashable.com/2006/09/15/go2web2net-social-site-directory/#comments): "It’s a nice roundup and a reminder of just how many of these sites there are these days - it seems that only a few will survive."
(Via Mashable! (http://mashable.com).)
Web2.0 Awards (http://web2.0awards.org/)
Social Meter (http://www.socialmeter.com/)
Social Software Integration
FLOCK
FLOCK is a Mozilla (similar to FireFox) based web-browser that attempts to integrate several Social Software tools, including:
Blogs
RSS
Flickr
Social Bookmarking
ScreenCast Overview of Flock
Here's a great intro to Flock from 'ScreenCastsOnline' (http://screencastsonline.com/sco/). It's a 65MB QuickTime (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download) movie
http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/movies/SCO0057Flock.mov
Configuring Flock
SetupFlock notes
Flock setup movie (QuickTime) - download the movie and play using QuickTime Player.
http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/movies/FlockSetup.mov
Or view online at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19AsDTGK6rI
Extensions for FLOCK
Converted FireFox Extensions (http://www.outraged-artists.com/flockd/list.php)
WIZZ (http://www.outraged-artists.com/flockd/extend/flockd_wizz_rss_news_reader-2.1.4.0-fx+fl.xpi) Wizz is an RSS reader extension, that also supports 'enclosures' - i.e. PodCasts. Wizz Help PDF (http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/pdfs/WizzRSSNewsReaderHelp.pdf)
Geotagging Flickr Photos in Flock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IIhknRRITg) download here (http://flock.spatialviews.com/), Example GeoFlock Screenshot.
Meebo sidebar extension (http://gis.stcstm.org/meebo-extension/), Example MeeboSidebar screenshot.
VideoDownloader (http://javimoya.com/blog/youtube_en.php)
Other Examples
GRITWIRE http://www.gritwire.com/
Yahoo GO
http://go.connect.yahoo.com/go/home
Elgg
http://www.elgg.org
Drupal
http://drupal.org
References
Alexander, B. (2006, March/April). Web 2.0: A new wave of innovation for teaching and learning? Educause Review, 41, 33-44.
Alexander, B., Brown, M., Doogan, V., Johnson, L., Levine, A., Sabean, R., et al. (2006). The horizon report 2006 edition: A collaboration between The New Media Consortium and the Educause Learning Initiative.
Attwell, G. (2006). The wales-wide web. What is a PLE? The future or just another buzz word? Retrieved 1 July, 2006, from http://www.knownet.com/writing/weblogs/Graham_Attwell/entries/6521819364
Becta. (2006). Emerging technologies for learning. Retrieved 6 April, 2006, from http://www.becta.org.uk/corporate/publications/
Bryant, T. (2006). Social software in academia. Educause Quarterly, 2, 61-64.
Cych, L. (2006). Social networks. Emerging Technologies for Learning Retrieved 6 April, 2006, from http://www.becta.org.uk/corporate/publications/
Downes, S. (2006). E-learning 2.0. eLearn Magazine.
Fallows, J. (2006). Homo conexus: A veteran technology commentator attempts to live entirely on the new web for two weeks. Technology Review, 109(3), 76-79.
Jafari, A., McGee, P., & Carmean, C. (2006). Managing courses, defining learning: What faculty, students, and administrtaors want. Educause review, July/August, 50-70.
Kuhns, J. (2006). The npc: A higher priority for networking policy. Educause Review, July/August, 74-75.
Mejias, U. (2006). Teaching social software with social software. Innovate, 2(5).
O'Reilly, T. (2005). What is web 2.0: Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved March, 2006, from http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html
Opera Software. (2006). Opera mini. Retrieved June, 2006, from http://www.opera.com/products/mobile/operamini/campaign/
Owen, M., Grant, L., Sayers, S., & Facer, K. (2006). Social software and learning: Futurelab.
Tosh, D., Werdmuller, B., & Hoebe, M. (2006). Elgg. Retrieved May, 2006, from http://elgg.org/people.php
Ugoretz, J. (2006). Three stars and a chili pepper: Social software, folksonomy, and user reviews in the college context. Retrieved 1 July, 2006, from http://www.academiccommons.org/commons/essay/Ugoretz-social-software-folksonomy
Visser, G. (2006, 17 July). Mojungle let's you share your life. SmartMobs: The next social revolution. Mobile communication, pervasive computing, wireless networks, collective action. Retrieved 20 July, 2006, from http://www.smartmobs.com/archive/2006/07/17/mojungle_lets_.html
Wenger, E., White, N., Smith, J., & Rowe, K. (2005). Technology for communities. Retrieved 14 July, 2006, from http://technologyforcommunities.com/
Wilson, S. (2006, 17 March). Remixing elearning. Retrieved 11 April, 2006, from http://www.cetis.ac.uk/members/educational_content/past_meetings/16th_Meeting
Exercises
Have a go at the following:
Workshop1
- Create a Blog at both http://www.wordpress.com and http://www.vox.com Evaluate and compare their strengths and potential educational usefulness.
- Signup for Instant Messaging - either AIM (http://my.screenname.aol.com/) or MSN (http://www.msn.com/), download and install either Adium (http://www.adiumx.com/) for Mac, or Trillian (http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/downloads/) for PC to your computer. Communicate with each other over the next week via IM whenever you get the chance!
- Create a GMail (http://gmail.com) account, then signup for Google Reader (http://www.google.com/reader) (online RSS aggregator), and put the feeds of everyones Blogs into your Google Reader account
- Create your own 'biography' section on the workshop SocialsoftwareworkshopWiki (http://ctliwiki.unitec.ac.nz/index.php/SocialsoftwareworkshopWiki), and put your Blog address, IM name, and description of what you do at Unitec there.
- Post daily to your Blog! and make comments on other participants Blogs!
Workshop2
- Create a Flickr (http://www.flickr.com) account
- Create a Delicious (http://del.icio.us) account
- Download and configure FLOCK (http://www.flock.com/) for your Blog, Flickr, Delicious, and IM (install the Meebo (http://www.meebo.com/) extension for Flock (http://gis.stcstm.org/meebo-extension/))
- Upload some digital photos to your Flickr site, and subscribe to each others Flickr feed!
- Setup and use Flickr's 'Blog This' (http://www.flickr.com/help/blogging/#55) feature to send a Flickr photo to your Blog!
- Add the Flickr Widget (http://wordpress.com/features/sidebar-widgets/) to your Wordpress Blog
- Update your SocialsoftwareworkshopWiki (http://ctliwiki.unitec.ac.nz/index.php/SocialsoftwareworkshopWiki) with your Flickr, Delicious, and YouTube addresses. Blog daily!
Workshop3
- Create a YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) account. Create a 'talking head' video using the builtin video camera, and upload to YouTube. Subscribe to each others YouTube accounts!
- Create your own customized iGoogle (http://www.google.com/ig) Page
- Open for negotiation!, e.g. Podcasting...
