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 * PLEASE NOTE: This wiki was created by Marlene Manto for a specific purpose. The site is NOT being maintained so please be aware that information and/or links may be out of date. **

=**Creating Rich Learning Environments** = **Tips and tools to enhance learning experiences for youth (15-25)** For the youth of today, email is too slow, phones have never had cords..and the computers they played with as kids are now in museums. Current data reveals that 95% of young Australians use the internet or a mobile phone to source information, communicate and interact (Ewing & Thomas, 2008)

So how do we engage them? Young people use a variety of technologies for entertainment, communication, knowledge gathering, studying, connections with friends and family, problem solving, work etc. By utilising some of the readily available (and mostly free) tools and technologies, we can create a richer and more engaging learning environment. The purpose of this wiki is to provide resources and examples, as well as a collaborative environment to gather the thoughts and ideas of those well experienced in working with youth.

**BLOGS** //A blog is a website or online journal maintained by an individual or group with regular entries of information, commentary, graphics, and video.// It's like a diary...only it can contain more than text, and as it is online, is accessible from anywhere. Common blog platforms are Blogger and WordPress.
 * Some interesting/useful resources are:**
 * Jessica Watson's blog where she was journalling her progress in the yacht, Ella's Pink Lady (example of a blog)
 * Read the UNISA Report: Using Wikis and Blogs for Assessment in First Year Engineering
 * How to set up a blog on Blogger - a video tutorial

> If you're not quite sure how blogging works, check out the video below: media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI" height="300" width="478"
 * Suggestions for using blogging with youth: **
 * Replace the use of workplace journals with a blog eg. Luke’s work experience blog
 * As a journal for apprentices, to document their probationary learning experience.
 * Showcasing of student work for sharing & peer comment, especially where this is visual
 * To document all learning (including informal learning)...which could then be used for assessment/RPL.
 * Projects, 'field trips' and cultural excursions - blog the experience to encourage communication and also to record the learning.
 * Individual collection of thoughts, resources and learning as a personal resource for the future
 * Ongoing course news eg 'Monday Update' from course organisers.
 * Could provide a forum forum for continuous feedback on the learning experience - students contribute their thoughts and suggestions

WIKIS
//A wiki can be as simple as an online whiteboard...or as complex as a corporate website. It is essentially a website that can be edited...by yourself, your colleagues, others to whom you give the address...depending on permissions allocated. Wikipedia is a wiki. One of the more commonly used wikis is Wikispaces (which is this one). Other examples are// Resources4Trades //and// The Horizon Report//.//
 * Some interesting/useful resources are**:
 * [|50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom]
 * An inspiring essay on [|Writing Wikipedia Articles as a Class Based Activity]
 * [|Basic Principles of making a wiki work in education]


 * Suggestions for using wikis with youth: **
 * Assign a wiki page to each of your students, and encourage them to display and describe their work.
 * Use it for activities related to building positive self esteem eg they can add photos of their favourite hobbies, sports or achievements
 * Set up a space for collaborative group projects.
 * Create a personal space based on something important to them....their own 'profile' to build community amongst students.
 * For anything visual (eg the arts), a wiki could be used as a 'gallery'.
 * Create a site to add extra resources, videos, links etc not included in core learning material...additional and enriching information to build on the learning and provide extension work for those seeking more out of the course.
 * Put up information which is static and often referred to eg current program, assignment dates etc
 * Additional information...links, videos etc....which enrich the course but are not part of content.

If you would like to understand wikis better, check out this video: media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="295" width="481"

SKYPE
//Sk ype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet and 'see' when someone is online. A Skype communication can be as simple as a quick text message, or as complex as a multi-user video call with file exchange and sharing of desktops//.


 * Some interesting/useful resources are:**
 * Making a video call with Skype - a YouTube video demonstrating how to make a call using Skype.
 * Using Skype in the Classroom (or just learning how to use it!) - a blog entry and 10 minute video on how to set up and use Skype in a training environment.
 * 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom - another blog posting containing lots of ideas to 'teach students in dynamic ways'.

>
 * Suggestions for using Skype with youth: **
 * Bring an expert into the classroom! Record the call (with permission) for use as a resource.

YOUTUBE
//YouTube is a video sharing website which allows users to locate existing videos, upload their own, and share videos with others.// There is an amazing amount of instructional material including an Education section. (If your organisation has firewall issues with YouTube, try TeacherTube.)

**Examples of what you can find on the [|YouTube website] are:** And if you teach a subject that requires an understand of Maths, have a look at MathATube. Using Moodle? You can embed YouTube videos straight into Moodle so your learners never leave your online classroom - How to embed a Youtube video into a Moodle (video tutorial)
 * How to use a bandsaw
 * Putting out a grease fire safely
 * Activating Yeast for Wheat Bread

>
 * Suggestions for using YouTube with youth: **
 * Use videos for training sessions, or use them within your online course to replace text and add interest and variety.

FACEBOOK
"//Facebook is a social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. ...Users can add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by workplace, school, or college//." (Wikipedia) Local TAFESA Hairdressing staff and students have their own TAFESA Hairdressing Facebook page as do the TAFESA Fashion students.
 * Some interesting/useful resources are:[[image:elearningquestions/ScreenHunter_06.jpg width="123" height="44" align="right" link="@http://www.facebook.com/"]]**
 * Understanding Facebook Privacy settings - a video
 * Every Teacher’s Must-Have Guide To Facebook.
 * Educational Benefits Of Social Networking Sites Uncovered - an article about what researchers have found.
 * Using Social Media Tools to Reach Digital Natives - a presentation

**Suggestions for using Facebook with youth:**
 * Ask students to find relevant links to post, and then encourage others to comment.

If you find the whole social networking thing a little bit confusing, check out the video below: media type="youtube" key="6a_KF7TYKVc" height="390" width="640"

TWITTER
=== === //Twitter is a very popular instant messaging system that lets a person send brief text messages up to 140 characters in length to followers. It was designed as a social network however many young people now use it to stay up to date with news from musicians, movie stars etc.//


 * Some interesting/useful resources are:**
 * [|Newbie's guide to Twitter] - a good introduction to signing up and using Twitter on CNET
 * How to use Twitter for Social Learning - an online guide
 * Yammer - an alternative to Twitter for //'in house//' communication


 * Suggestions for using Twitter with youth: **
 * Provide 'drip-feed' learning of boring but necessary information eg terminology, short facts etc.

If you're grappling with the whole purpose and point of Twitter, have a look at this video: media type="youtube" key="ddO9idmax0o" height="390" width="480"

If you've had a look at Twitter and thought that it didn't look very useful, perhaps flick through this presentation before abandoning it altogether: [|Twitter Myths]

FLICKR
//Flickr is a wonderful place to find and store photos. Get started by simply putting a search word into the site...but keep in mind that you must only use those which have a creative commons license…and attribute them accordingly.//


 * Some interesting/useful resources are:**
 * How To Search & Credit Properly-Licensed Photos On Flickr
 * Video- 'How to use Flickr
 * Teaching with Flickr - a wiki collection of resources created by teachers
 * 7 things you should know about...Flickr (this is a short PDF document)


 * Suggestions for using Flickr with youth: **
 * An assignment idea...share photos on a specific topic, then either discuss or arrange peer review.
 * Use images for powerpoints and online courses to enhance the learning.
 * Use in blogs and wikis - put up images and encourage comment.

If you would like to expand your knowledge about how online photo sharing works, check out this great video:

media type="youtube" key="0wZ5K0eG5wk" height="390" width="480"

JUST FOR FUN!
Communication doesn't have to be boring! It's amazing what an image, quirky cartoon or photo can do for a nagging email or a reminder...or a veiled threat! ;-). For some ideas, try these:

ImageChef [[image:http://saframework.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/imagechef1.jpg?w=116&h=116 width="127" height="127" align="right"]]
ImageChef creates c//ustomisable// graphics and images which can be downloaded to your computer, ready to add to emails, websites etc So next time you need to tell your young people that they have 4 days left before an appointment or interview, use an image!

FlipText
¡ʍou sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ FlipText is a site that allows you to 'flip' any text! Useful in any kind of communication with young people as its sure to get their attention. Definitely non-boring.

MakeBeliefsComix
MakeBeliefsComix- it’s only a simple little tool but instead of emailing someone to remind them of something boring they have to get done, you could email them a comic strip that says the same thing…but the message would //definitely// be more memorable!:-)

OTHER IDEAS TO EXPLORE...
All enthused and looking for more ideas? Many tools, links and suggestions are regularly posted on the SA E-learning Newsletter. Subscribe now to 'stay in the know'. In the meantime, here are some excerpts for more ideas.

Logo and button created with: www.cooltext.com Photo of young people: CC licensed Flickr photo by c.a.muller
 * Acknowledgements:**