Share, Connect & ChangeSocial Network Technology &Indigenous Peopleby Leesa Watego, Blacklines Publications

This short paper is Version 2 of a paper developed as a teaching tool for Indigenouseducation students. It attempted to outline two Social Network tools and how they coldbe useful in the classroom. I have expanded this original slightly to incorporate the ideaof a Personal Learning Network (PLN) for both education and arts students.

I will develop this information further online (probably in a wiki) , but for those whorequire a document to print & read in hard copy this one is available. This version is notthe final one (I wonder if it will ever be final!). Please feel free to use it however I requestthat you respect my copyright and do not use for commercial purposes. Please subscribeto me blog for new Versions in the future.

Version 2_14September09

© Leesa Watego

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Share, Connect & Change:Social Network Technology & Indigenous People

1. Introduction .................................................3Thinking Activity 1 .......................................... 3

2. What is a Personal Learning Network? .........4Thinking Activity 2 .......................................... 4Thinking Activity 3 .......................................... 4

But I can barely use email! ................................ 0Share, Connect & Change .................................. 5

3. Some Tools to try when you're starting out ..6Blogging.......................................................... 6Twitter ............................................................ 0Connecting through Twitter ...............................13Google Reader.................................................15

Some extra reading (including Tweeps youshould follow) ................................................16Acknowledgements ........................................16

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1. Introduction

Most of us don't think about cars as "technology", we think aboutthem as forms of transport, and mobility. One day web technologywill be the same.

Many people think about computers & the web as being about technology.And yes, technology is a huge part of it. But today, in many communities,it is about communication - connecting and sharing with other peopleregardless of where they live. What if it was like this in all communities?

There are many who argue that there are:• digital natives (these are people who are born with this technology

around them), and• digital immigrants (these area people born before the technology).

However I also argue that we need to make sure that there are no digitalrefugees (those who have no access to technology).

Thinking Activity 1

What are you? A digital native, immigrant, or refugee? Why do you think that is what youare? What do you want to be?

Many people in Australia don't even have access to running water &electricity so this is one area where much work needs to still be done.

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2. What is a Personal Learning Network?

A PLN is a concept driven from education professionals that is easilytransferrable to the arts. However, a PLN is not really a new concept,particularly for artists, who regularly work collaboratively, go to eachother's exhibitions and reference the work of other artists. Networkingis also not new for Indigenous people. The 'Murri Grapevine' is a verydeadly tool for sharing information; and kinship and protocol are integralto connecting.

Thinking Activity 2

When you need information in your daily life, what are the most common tools you use?

However, the key difference between traditional networks and a modernconcept of a PLN is social network technology. Key to social networktechnology is the creation of online communities across different platforms(ie. Twitter or Facebook or Ning etc).

A community in a social networking context is groups of people withsimilar interests across a single or multiple platforms.

Thinking Activity 3

What do you want/need from a professional network? (for example, sharing experiences,knowledge etc)

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But I can barely use email!Is this you? Remember you are not alone.

A lot of people are new to using online technology. And it can be veryscary and daunting when you are just learning. And some of us who aredeadly at using this stuff, can seem a bit like big-noters. There are twothings I'd say about this:

• If you're new to online technology & you do want to learn,remember that it takes time to embed new knowledge; you need tobe brave and have a go at things even if you're not sure they willwork; don't be scared to ask questions; and remember unless youdrop the computer &/or spill coke on it, you can't break a computer- so keep clicking.

• If you're already deadly at technology, remember that there arelots of people out there who don't know. Don't big-note; take timeto share your knowledge; be patient and giving; and talk to peoplein a way that they'll understand.

Share, Connect & Change

Connecting to others can make a difference. Whether its connecting with• other Indigenous People in Australia,• Indigenous People from the world,• other Minority groups or people of colour,• Whitefullas,• or people in your profession and/or discipline.

Sharing is about sharing your experiences, sharing your story.

Connecting is about linking with others to create communities.

Change is about making a difference in the world.

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3. Some Tools to try when you're starting out

Personal Learning Network (Stage 1) Tools

The above diagram illustrates just some of the tools that you might usein your Personal Learning Network. I will go into some detail (with screenshots) below about Blogging and Twitter.

Blogging

A blog is short for “web-log”. A blog can really be whatever you want it tobe.

It can be a personal page where you share with your friends & family; itcan be professional and/or business oriented, where you share withcolleagues and business. You can also choose to keep your blog private,so that only registered users (people you have approved of) can access it.

There are more and more teachers using blogs in their classrooms andartists using them to connect with other artists, write about art &showcase their own work. Blogs, in conjunction with Twitter, RSS Feedsand Facebook are key tools in the event/project manager's tool kit.

In relation blogs, be clear in your purpose. As with all other forms ofcommunication, you need to be clear about what you want your blog todo if it is to be most effective. (However, it is my experience, that you

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only way you get "clear" about what your purpose is - is by actuallyblogging - the act of blogging, helps to work out what it is & what you cando with it)

Your blog can do many things such as:• A diary of your experiences;• A place to share resources with other teachers;• Share resources with your students about a topic you are going to

study this term;• A communication hub where many blogs are linked (all the

students in your class have their own blogs and they link to eachother and you)

• A back-up place for information, dates for your students (mosthelpful if you teach in a school where most of the students willhave access to computers and the web)

So think clearly about what you want it to do if you are going to do withyour professional blog.

Some of the advantages of a blog are· You have a web presence & a digital identity;· They allow you to communicate with other people anywhere in theworld;· It’s a great place to keep your information in one spot

Some disadvantages are blog are:· You’re on the web & you need to be responsible for your digitalidentity;· Need to be aware of copyright issues and security issues.

One of the easiest ways to start blogging is using Google's Blogger. It'sgot less deadly stuff than Wordpress, but for a beginnger, its the place tostart. And remember, where you start blogging will probably not be thesame place you'll be blogging by the end of the year. If you stick to it,you'll start exploring other places.

Below is instructions for how to sign into Google (you need to get a free

Google account) and start your Blogger Blog.

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Sign into Google & Blogspot and your digital career is on its way

1. Go to Google.com. Look in the top of thepage and you’ll see a hyperlink for Gmail.

2. When you click on theGmail hyperlink, youwill be asked to ‘SIGNIN’ or ‘SIGN UP’. Ifyou’re new, then you’llneed to ‘SIGN UP’ (onthe bottom left corner)

3. You will need tocomplete the onlineform. This will includechoosing an emailaddress for yourself.Think about the email addressyou want to choose, make itsomething professional. If youdon’t want to choose your namefor your email address you maylike to call it the same name asthe name of your blog (orsomething similar)

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4. Go towww.blogspot.com (donot go towww.blogspot.com.au!!– it won’t work). Clickon CREATE A BLOG

5. Step 1 is to create aGoogle Account (usethe same informationfor your Gmail!). Fill inthe online form. ClickContinue.

6. Step 2 Name yourblog. Fill in the onlineform. Your will need tofind a blog title andyour blog URL (theycan be the same ordifferent)

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7. Choose a templateYou can change yourtemplate including coloursat anytime. So pick onethat will do for now, comeback later and change itto how you want it.

8. Congratulations! Yourblog is created. Nowstart blogging.

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Twitter

Twitter is a free website that allows people from all over the world tocommunicate simply by starting off with “what are you doing?”.

You can follow people from all over the world. There are forums forIndigenous People, Feminism, Education etc. Learn more about what’s outthere, resources, events and communicate globally.

One of the important things to remember about Twitter (and there areLOTS of Twitter help manuals out there) is -

• Don't spam (don't tell people you have stuff to sell - you will beunfollowed very quickly)

• Use a profile picture• Make sure you have a link (people will want to find out a bit about

you before they follow you back)• Don't buy followers - slowly follow people and they'll follow you

back when you connect with them.• Be honest, don't be gammin - just be you.

Below are instructions for how to sign up for Twitter. Please note theimages used below were from Twitter in 2009. The Twitter interface hasbeen slightly modified - but the "sign-up" process is fundamentally thesame)

1. Go towww.twitter.com.You will be askedto “sign in” or“sign up”. ClickGET STARTEDNOW (in greenbox)

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2. Complete form.Choose yourtwitter name andclick create.

3. Find peoplethrough twitter.If you knowsome-one’stwitter name,you can findthem. If youdon’t, as youknow more,follow peoplewhen they lookinteresting.

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Connecting through Twitter

An Organised TweetOne way to connect through Twitter is through organised TweetChats.Tweetchats use the hashtag rule to organise tweets on the same topic.For example, sometimes I participate in a tweetchat about educationcalled #educhat. For this organised Tweetchat, there is an unofficial co-ordinator who sets a topic, moderates discussion and creates a follow-uppost.

An unofficial discussionThe hashtag is also used for "unofficial" and spontaneous discussions(these are much more common).

For example, when MasterChef was on Television this year, many peopletweeted about the show while it was one using the #masterchef hashtag.

Each Friday there is #followfriday or #ff where you recommend Tweeps toyour followers. (If you're thinking about becoming someone whoparticipates in #FF [most folks do] then you should read this post first!)

I've found when participating in official tweetchats, using Tweetchat.comis really useful. Tweetchat.com is not run by the Twitter company, but isanother company that provides a service to support Twitter (and yes, itsfree as well).

1. Go towww.tweetchat.com.Use your Twitterusername & passwordto sign in.

2. Type in the Hashtag you want tofollow.

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3. If you post a tweet while youare in Tweetchat, you DO NOThave to type in the #hashtag.

If you post a tweet when you arein your normal Twitter (& not inTweetchat), you DO have to typein the #hashtag if you wish tohave your tweet included in theconversation

When using Tweetchat you can have discussions with everyone who isusing that #hashtag, even people you are not following.

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Google Reader

When you get a Google Account, you are able to access a whole range ofservices, from GMail, Blogger, through to Ads (where you can earn anincome) and Websites.

Another really great resource to keep track of your PLN is using Googlereader. Rather than me try and explain what RSS and Readers are, watchthis short "In Plain English" video on You Tube. Click here to access thevideo.

There are other resources available to teach you how to use GoogleReader.

Follow my blog & I'll point you in the right direction.

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Some extra reading (including Tweeps you shouldfollow)

About Blogging:www.problogger.net (@problogger)

www.howtomakemyblog.com

About Twitter:ww.twitip.com

Twitter HandbooksTwitter Handbook for Teachers by Tomaz Lasic (@lasic)

Acknowledgements

I have used screen shots from Google's Blogger, Twitter and TweetChat and logos fromDelicious, Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, RSS and Google Reader.

Connect with me -

Google www.google.com/profiles/lwatego

Blogs www.teacherswhotweet.com

www.inquirybites.com

Slideshare www.slideshare.net/leesawatego

Twitter www.twitter.com/LeesaWatego

Facebook Leesa Watego

Website www.blacklines.com.au

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