Task #9 - Virtual Worlds

Time for a confession!  This is an aspect of Web 2.0 that I have serious doubts about and as a result, I was reluctant to being this week's tasks.  Doing my best to put my preconceptions aside, I embarked on my SecondLife orientation.  I learnt how to go forward and back, about interactive objects, chatting with other avatars, creating my own avatar look, and all the different 'worlds' I could choose to be apart of - but I still find myself pondering the question, "What is wrong with interacting with real people is the real world?"  Given the number of people who access these alternative realities, I extended my search to try and find out what the attraction is.  This is what I have learnt:

According to Joe Sanchez - "Virtual worlds are connecting people in a disconnected society".  Question - can these connections be considered real?

In the words of Dan Brown - "We are in the midst of a very real revolution.  If institutional education refuses to adapt to the landscape of the informational age, it will die, and it should die!...Information has been liberated...Any educational institution based solely on providing students with facts is not preparing students for the real world."  A very impassioned speech from a Gen Y student, disillusioned with the education system yet presenting a number of very valid points and an informative insight into the views of today's university students.

Apparently, according to Marc Prensky, I am a 'digital immigrant' who is teaching 'digital natives'.  Like all immigrants while I can and do adapt to my environment, to some degree I will always retain the 'accent' of my past experiences with and without technology.  This makes some sense.  Perhaps I can be honest enough as to say, perhaps this is at the source of my 'questioning' nature when it comes to technology and its implications for the classroom.

Yet I also learnt that these alternative worlds can provide the opportunity for students to:

• Role play in any number of situations and time periods including Ancient Rome, Shakespeare's plays (SecondLife) or even using virtual world technologies to assist pre-graduate teachers to improve their professional decision making skills (Matthew Campbell - School of Education, Australian Catholic University).
• Undertake scavenger hunts to locate and collate information about a given topic
• Take guided tours of sites otherwise unavailable to students to explore such as the Cysteine Chapel or inside a Dell Computer (SecondLife)
• Participate in simulations which enable them to view different perspectives, walk in someone else's shoes.
• Create professional networks through which they can collaborate, co-create and share information
• Participate in tutorials and lecturers, even complete the content of a course at their own pace
• Interact with people from around the world, the language translator contained with SecondLife a definite plus in this regard

All amazing things, agreed, but definitely limited by the 18+ user policy.  Was appalled to learn of the seeder and downright disturbing side of SecondLife. Granted their is a TeenWorld, however, adult input into this site is forbidden with the expectation of SecondLife employees.  This led to me to wonder what might be available to a younger crowd, that also had the same 'educational' possibilities.  I was surprised to find a number of site do exist and even grants in Victoria of up to $2000 for teacher to participate in some of these virtual world simulations (Quest Atlantis) with their students.  I even found a project in Queensland - The Games in Learning Project (2008).  It did, however, contain the following disclaimer:

"Education Queensland and the games in Learning Project are not recommending that

Virtual Worlds be used in the classroom or with students at this point in time. 

We are currently conducting a full audit on virtual worlds and their potential for learning

and will provide advice to schools once this is completed."

 

Needless to say, I could find no further 'advice'.

So where does that leave me, given that I started with my digital immigrant accented view of the whole 'virtual world' thing?  STAY TUNED...the jury is still out for this Primary School Teacher!

And then there was ExitReality!  The Vimeo video link with the creators of ExitReality (great to see it is an Australian initiative) certainly was interesting but I think they explained its appeal best in describing their intended demographic as "social network users who like to decorate their space."  Granted it looks good and its ability to interface with MySpace is great but...the honest truth...who has the time to "pimp out their pages".  Great appeal perhaps to the digital native but I for one am still coming to terms with the impact of technology on my workload.

No don't get me wrong, I am a techno-convert and consider myself to be quite an assimilated immigrant but the reality of working in this changing educational environment (caught somewhere between between the institutionalised 'chalk and talk' environments of the past and the potential freedom and limitless learning opportunities of the future) is that more and more is being bolted on, nothing is being removed or replaced.  The result of which is an environment in which educators such as myself are excited by the potential of the technology but who often feel overwhelmed by the reality of making it work, not to mention the time and effort it takes to learn and acquire these new skills whilst keeping on top of the endless piles of traditional marking, profiling and accountability as dictated to us by 'those above'. 

 

The answer? 

 

Time? 

I'm open to the thoughts and ideas of others - preferably before I drown!!

Task #8 - Working at Google

WOW!  Who wouldn't want to work at GOOGLE!  Who wouldn't want to work for an organisation that seems to genuinely try and avoid bureaucracy!?  An organisation who aims to trust, cares for and respect their employees while challenging them to THINK, be CURIOUS, INVENTIVE and CREATIVE!

Google seem to understand that what makes any organisation great is it's people!  And what work place wouldn't benefit from the adoption and genuine practise of this ethos!?  Google clear has identified the importance of not leaving the cultural of their organisation this to chance by the inclusion of a Cultural Officer as part of their administration team.  Kudos!  If something is important enough, it should never be left to chance! 

The lessons I believe all organisations could learn from Google in the words of Google employees [as found in the YouTube video, 'A Day in the Life of Google']

Julian Wong -  "It's the culture that has really kept me here."

Or as Bob Jervis puts in in the same video , "People are here because they really want to be here and I wanted to be a part of that."

And if that wasn't enough to convince you that Google's ideology is something we could all learn from, the words of Amanda Camp, "If you really feel like you're cared about you can't help but feel that you want to give it back and be loyal." 

My developing understanding of what Web 2.0 is all about - people interactive and collaborating with and through technology, appears to be at the heart of what the Google organisation is all about.  No wonder they appear to constantly appear to be at the fore front of new developments involving the WWW.

GO GOOGLE!!!  Any job for me?  I love the notion of being about the start work at 11am!

'Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life's coming attractions.'

Albert Einstein [a man who I believe would have loved working at Google]

PS:  I am also quite taken with Google's openness to feedback and interaction with the general public.  They are true to their word that the best ideas do not always come from the top.  In looking through their website I stumbled across a competition that anyone can enter, including students, to design a Google logo for publication as part of their search engine.  Very cool!

http://www.google.com/doodle4google/

Task #8 - iGoogle

What can I say about iGoogle - if you like your gadgets you will love iGoogle. 

In setting up my iGoogle page I was, like I am sure many others I am sure, sucked into to scrolling through countless, themes just looking for that 'right' banner to set the tone of my iGoogle page.  I even resorted at one stage to trying to create my own personalised page but having encountered a couple of difficulties with image picker and trying to find a copyright free image to use...yep, I was quickly finding myself off on a tangent again I decided to rein it in and finally made a selection.  That done, my attention turned to the layout of the page and all the gadgets on offer!  Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Gadgets, gadgets and more gadgets, I might even go so far as to say too many gadgets!  I found gadgets for everything and anything you could imagine.  From virtual (time wasting) pets, to the practically of simple 'To Do' lists there certainly is an extensive range out there - I even stumbled across a gadget for tracking your water consumption during the course of the day.  Some people must have a lot of time on there hands is all I can say!  I did, however, find a couple that I liked;

• the 'To Do' List, because lets face it, my short term memory isn't what is used to be
• a Countdown Clock with the capability of setting multiple events
• a usual gadget to track the Days since you conducted various tasks, and what would a page of my be without...
• Albert quotes!

I also took some time to experiment with the YouTube links but, finding myself again getting off the track, I decided to remove the feature from my iGoogle page to avoid temptation, if nothing else. 

As per the task as outlined, I uploaded the gadgets to connect Google Docs, Google Book Search, Google Maps and Facebook, though found, as per Dione's email ,that the Google Docs gadget didn't automatically link up.  I hope I can resolve this following Dione's advice later today.

The end result of my iGoggle experiment:



Summary of my iGoggle thoughts

1. I love the 'Drag and Drop' feature of the programme, allowing you to place things exactly where they suit you.
2. The ability to personalise and minimise each of the features on your page is also handy, giving you the option to only have open what you are using or need to see on opening your iGoogle page.
3. Think the RSS feature also has great potential, though I was somewhat disappointed with the list that was on offer. Benefit would clearly be for those feeds that that you subscribed rather than those just available on searching within the iGoogle site (mostly American).
4. Some concerns regarding the locations/sources of some of the gadgets on offer - my Internet security identifying quite a few sites as potential security threats.

Would I use iGoogle?

Possibly, I can see its benefits, however, before jumping on board I am keen to check out Netvibes.  I had never heard of this before but found reference and a link to it in SeekingFinding's Blog.  I have found this blog to be very insightful and appreciate the different perspective of a person who clearly has greater insight and experience in this field that I do.  I have had a quick look at the Netvibes site, and visually it has great appeal and possible classroom application, more so than iGoggle I think but before I can make a call, more investigation is definitely needed.  I guess that is what this course seems to be providing for me...more questions that need answers.

My Web 2.0 journey continues!

If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? Albert Einstein

Task #7 - Google Books

To be honest, I really don't know where to begin with this one.  I was aware of Google Books but until today I had not really taken the time to have a good look at it - confessing that I prefer the experience of wandering through a book store and picking up the book, then having a good flick through it and perhaps having a quick read of a couple of pages to see if it is what I am looking for.  Talk about the low tech approach.  And not yet time effective either might I add.  I don't know, I find that there is something very personal in selecting a book and the Internet seems a little too clinical approach for my liking.  That said, I can see for those who would in a library setting this may well be useful, especially in handling some of those challenging request from both students and staff alike.

 

I was interested to learn of the two major contributors to the Google Books catalogue;

• Google Books Library Project which is endeavouring to catalogue all the world's books

• Google Books Partners Programme which, let's face it is an avenue for publisher to market their wares

In seeing the Google Books Library Project I was reminder of an SBS documentary that I saw on this project and I remember at the time thinking of the amazing applications that this had for the preservation of continued use of rare books.

 

Of all the Google investigations I have undertaken as part of Task 5, 6 and 7, I found Google Books to be the least inspiring.  It's dedication to the preservation of books on a global level is most admirable but in terms of accessing these feature on a day-to-day basis I have to be honest, I would probably just conduct a general Internet search of information on a book rather than access Google Books specifically, especially as most of the purchasing option etc that do come up appear to be mostly America - well on the searches I did anyway!

 

Kudos to you Google for all the amazing work you are doing and for providing services that do not come at an added expense.  Just another reason why I prefer you to Bing!

Task #6 - Google Maps

Like most people, I have come across Google Maps before and have accessed for a range of activities including planning overseas trips, finding directions and of course checking out real estate possibilities. 

What I have learnt that I didn't know before undertaking this week's assigned activities, was that the inclusion of Google Maps within other websites such as those found in Real Estate is a perfect example of Web 2.0 Services in action.  I could really show off my new knowledge and use the Web 2.0 Lingo, it is an example of a mash-up!  Two different businesses/services automatically linked via the Internet.

Something else that I didn't know until today's more detailed exploration of Google Maps was that you are, as a Google Account holder able to sign in and actually add places to the Map.  For example; if you conducted a specific search for a location like 'Billy Bob's Bikes' and no listing was found, you can got to the bottom of any listings that may be provided on the left hand side and select the link ADD A PLACE TO THE MAP.  I also didn't realise that you can also edit the details for a particular location by selecting the EDIT link inside the pop up box for that location.  You can add or edit phone numbers, address details and even move the little pinpoint marker to the correct location.  Very cool features of which I was unaware until today.  This course is really proving to be an eye opener!  Just goes to show you there is always more to learn.  Or as Albert (Einstein that is) would say:

 "Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them!"

Task #5 - Google Docs Rocks!

Well I've just spend an hour or so playing around with Google Docs and I can see that the potential of this form of collaboration out here in the really world. 

A group of colleagues and I have made plans to regularly meet and work through this Web 2.0 course together.  How I wished I had been able to make last week's session and seen first hand how easy it was to have multiple people working on a single document at one time.  Though in reading one of my colleagues blogs on the experience I was as equally surprised as she was at how easily it seems to work.  I had some reservations of what might happen with more than one person access a document at exactly the same time but her account was particularly encouraging and somewhat laid my fears to rest.  ONE GOLD STAR!

Yet the cynic in me was quite done yet!  I conducted my own general Internet search about Google Docs to see if there had been any problems associated with its security. I was initially taken back to see that there had been some breeches, but upon further investigation I was pleased to learn that these were dated from early in Google Docs introduction and that these had been acknowledged directly by Google and they where very open in their dealings with this issues, as too, articulating what steps have been taken to address these initial security concerns. TWO GOLD STARS!

 

The greatest plus of the new Google Doc layout to me is the ability to see and trace who is viewing a shared document at any time and when they have left the document.  The time stamping of this is also particularly handy, especially if you are waiting for particular input from a specific person.  Being the practical person I am,  I was concerned about the ability to access previous versions of a document and the option to restore a document to a previous version, should it be necessary.  Thanks to Google Docs Help I was relieved to find that this is indeed possible by accessing the the FILE menu within the document, selecting SEE REVISION HISTORY  and then it is a simple matter of clicking on the version you wish to see and if necessary select RESTORE THIS VERSION.  I was also please to see that they have built into the structure of Google Docs different colours to represent the different contributors changes and additions.  Being a strong visual learner myself this was a very big tick for me.  THREE GOLD STAR!

Another plus is the automatic saving facility within Google Docs.  FOUR GOLD STARS!

I must confess, however, that I initially found this a little difficulty to come to terms with and at one stage had multiple windows open.  It was at that point that I realise, you simply need to exit the document and all changes will be saved.  Seems fairly simple I know and I feel quite embarrassed acknowledging such a simple oversight on my behalf but it does highly a distinct difference between Google Docs and the standard Microsoft programmes most of us probably use on a day-to-day basis.

Another aspect of Google Docs I found interesting was to access the Template Galley and view it's 'Hottest' and 'Most Users' listings.  This gave me a little bit of an insight into what most people who are accessing this feature are using Google Docs for.  Personal organisation seemed to be very heavily represented with everything from Budgets, Planner, Calendars, To Do Lists and even Scrapbooks listed.  Clearly though the online storage and the ability to collaborate in real time on a range of documents/projects is the real stand out of the Google Docs application. FIVE GOLD STARS!

 ROCK ON GOOGLE DOCS!

Task #4 - Web 2.0 Explained?

What at first seemed like a very simple task - investigate and explain what Web 2.0 is, saw me initially quite bewildered by the entire concept.  From one site to the next, I found myself becoming more and more confused by what I thought was quite a straight forward idea.  Wrong!  How much more wrong could I be? But then, like a gift from above, I stumbled across a YouTube video by Christopher Barnett.  I have never been more pleased to see a stereotypical tech head in my life!  It may have had something to do with the fact that my new friend Chris started by saying:

"Defining exactly what is meant by Web 2.0 is about as difficult as nailing jelly to a wall." 

Who would have thought it possible!

Finally a statement that, after my frustrating search, really spoke to me!  Not to mention the accompanying visual demonstration. 

It may interest you to note that in searching for an appropriate image to support what I thought was the voice of reason when venturing into the world of Web 2.0, that is it is in fact quite possible to nail jelly to a wall - so much for confidence.  If like myself you find yourself easily intrigued and off on a tangent, the following link will help you undertake you own experiments should you feel so inclined or in need of some cheap therapy after one of 'those' weeks.

Nailing jelly to a wall: is it possible?

But I digress!

So, having sat with Chris for just over seven minutes, it is now my understanding that Web 2.0 is basically about "making new and improved forms of online connections" between:

• 2 or more people (Interpersonal Computing - use of online technologies to connect people to each other.  Examples:  Social Networking sites, Wikis, Blogs and Online videos)
• 2 or more online services (Web Services - means by which multiple sites can be connected together allow an individual to interact with two or more business automatically linked together via the internet.  Examples:  PayPal capabilities within business sites, Google maps within real estate sites.)
• individual users and software applications (Software as a Service - online applications which can include the storage and sharing or files, online desktops etc.  Examples: Google docs, Zoho, Jooce)

Of these Web 2.0 applications it was interesting to hear that in the years to come SaaS (Software as a Service) is likely to change the way that we store and access our data.  This is an aspect of Web 2.0 that appears to have great potential and I guess provides me with the focus of my next journey in seeking to better understand what Web 2.0 has to offer and finding new and improved ways to hopefully make my life just that little bit easier.

For anyone who might actually read this blog and finds themself still struggling to understand the basics, my new Web 2.0 best friend Chris' video is really worth checking out  And remember, it is all about the people, people so reach out and make some connections!

Task #2 - Sometimes there are no words!

It's 4.17pm on a Friday afternoon - need I say more!  This is my first entry into the world of blogging and I am not entirely sure what to expect as I embark on this journey.  I stand on the precipice of a whole new world - quite exciting for a Friday!