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Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

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Page 1: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools

and Services

Sally Reynolds

Page 2: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Presentation

• Background• Rural learning context and user requirements• Social networking tools – common functionalities• Examples of Social Networking tools in use• Success factors• Critical issues and challenges

Page 3: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Background

• SoRuraLL – investigating potential for enhanced lifelong learning offered by social networking tools and platforms to those in geographically and socio-economically disadvantaged rural areas

• ATiT: • Test social networking tools with 10 pilot sites – rural

schools in west of Ireland• D3.1 Initial Scenarios of Use - mapping of the identified

user groups with a view to highlighting needs and requirements based on the partners’ knowledge and experience in this area and other relevant resources

Page 4: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learning Context

Where does learning typically take place in rural contexts?

• In primary and secondary schools• In rural telecentres• In local training or professional development

centres

Page 5: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements • Teachers who want to

exchange good practice with other teachers

• Trainees who want to work with other trainees on joint projects

• Pupils who would like to have contact with pupils in schools in other countries for eTwinning activities

• Professionals who want to collaborate with other professionals on joint issues and problems

Communication and Collaboration

Page 6: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements • Rural schools engaging local

communities including parents

• Representation of rural communities as vibrant and creative places to live

• Building networks with other rurally based communities for promotion and support purposes

• Provide better visibility of rural communities

Engagement and Recognition

Page 7: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements • Farmers and others needing

better access to markets• Importance of being able to

gather market intelligence quickly and effectively

• Need to develop cultural and eco-tourism in ruralareas

• Provide opportunities to form co-operative purchasing schemes for rural services like Internet access

• Improving employment opportunities

Standard of Living

Page 8: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements

• Support teachers who feel isolated in the classroom in small rural schools

• Importance of providing access for specialist interest groups to extend hobbies and pastimes

• Provide opportunities and choice for pupils in rural communities so that their careers are not dictated by their birthplace

• Provide contact with other cultures and ethnic communities as a counter to racism and xenophobia

Combat isolation

Page 9: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements • Specialists topics in schools

like languages, higher level subjects for final examinations

• Need to provide access to specialist knowledge for professionals

• Opportunities to access laboratories and cultural resources

• Teachers and trainers need to keep up to date with new developments and resources

Access to knowledge

Page 10: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Learners’ Requirements • Learn the skills to function in

a multicultural and networked society

• Pupils need to enhance their digital and media literacy in preparation for the workplace

• Telecentre clients need to enhance their multimedia skills

• Enhance all citizens skills to enable them to become responsible online citizens

ICT and digital skills

Page 11: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Web 2.0…….. Social networking….

• You are the creator and driver of your use of the tools

• You are driven by your interests and needs

• You can involve anyone, anywhere

Page 12: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

What to choose?

From http://www.go2web20.net/

Page 13: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Analysis by function

• Definitions and differences with previous tools and services

• Describe by function – what they can allow you to do

function tool

Collaborative working and content sharing

wikis

Presentation of ideas and content blogs

Messaging within a community online discussion sites

Sharing still and moving images Flickr, YouTube

Commenting Twitter, Ning

Tagging YouTube

Polling NetLog

Social bookmarking Delicious

Page 14: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Social Networking tools in use……..

• Vary in in terms of complexity – simple tool like Flickr to Social Networking sites that combine many functions

• Vary in relation to skills required – Blogger easy to set up and use – creating your own website with Drupal more complex

• Vary in terms of popularity and reach – Facebook in comparison with communities related to a single institution

• Vary in terms of openness and access to wider community

Page 15: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Voices against Corruptionhttp://voices-against-corruption.ning.com

• World Bank Initiative

• Event in Brussels in May 2010

• Future leaders in fragile states

• Aim: communication and collaboration

• Ning site

Page 16: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Rural Irish Schools Blogs

• Part of SoRuraLL• First step into the

online world• Very small schools• Links with

community – including local community

http://www.feaklens.com

Page 17: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Success factors in SoRuraLL work

• The extent to which the use of social networking tools add value or have an impact on learning processes

• The extent to which social networking tools add value or have an impact on the notion of inclusion and empowerment

• The extent to which social networking tools add value or have an impact on institutional and pedagogical innovation and change

• The extent to which social networking tools add value or have an impact on increasing users’ awareness of any ethical, moral, legal and human security issues arising from their use of such tools

Page 18: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Challenges and issues

• Boundary issues – right to be forgotten?• Security and safety issues – right not to be

insulted?• Generational issues – expectations and

know-how• Open vs closed communities – walled

gardens vs. global communuties• Ownership issues – IPR and digital property• Digital and media literacy – skills and know-

how

Page 19: Matching the Communication Needs of Rural Learners to Web 2.0 Tools and Services Sally Reynolds

Contacts and further information

• Sally Reynolds: [email protected]• ATiT: www.atit.be

Interests:• Media and Learning: www.media-and-learning.eu• MEDEA Awards: www.medea-awards.com• Media in Education Newsletter: www.media-in-

education.net

Thank You!