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Entries for May 2008
Our 10 Top Social Media Platforms / Tools
[SUMMARY—What are yours?]
(GBR) I fired an email round to the MediaSnackers trainers asking for their top ten social media platforms / tools (no stipulations—just a simple question).
Here's their responses:
Barney
• Skype
• vlc mediaplayer
• bubbl.us
• Azureus
• (if it lives up to the hype…) Slide Rocket is already one of my favourites (and it hasn't come out yet, am signed up for the Beta version)
• buzzword
• Facebook (love/hate thing)
• Google docs
• Wikipedia (great starting place for research)
• pbWiki
Bobbie
• igoogle
• RSS reader
• wordpress
• del.icio.us
• skype
• flickr
• google calender
• youtube
• myspace
• adium
Guy
• Netvibes—king of RSS readers, home of my to-do lists, etc
• Gmail—queen of email
• Tumblr—currently how I'm archiving interesting stuff rather than using delicious… Nice and simple, bookmarklet works well too
• Flickr—duke of photosharing sites, best example out there of how you can manage a huge disparate group of users and still get them to behave (cf. Youtube)
• Facebook—because I still love it no matter what the haterz say, and one day it or one of its siblings will approach a de facto "standard".
• Twitter—kind of for the same reason… I don't think it's necessarily that much cop yet but it's pretty cool on a theoretical / experimental level at the very least. They really should go for text-mad kids though.
• Skype—pretty much the only IM client out there that let me set up a group chat with my mates over eighteen months ago… and continue the chat to this day, providing 9-to-5 comfort to the tired and weary.
• Hype Machine—syndicates and streams MP3 blogs, pretty cool for finding new stuff, in the "hipster demographic" anyway.
• Bug Me Not—true altruistic crowdsourcing for the can't-be-bothered-to-signup generation
• This one bookmarklet——
• Ask Metafilter—wonderfully useful, endlessly interesting, 0% dicking about. Never ever use Yahoo Answers again.
Mark
• google reader
• buzzword
• Wordpress
• flickr
• Stixy
• twitter
• delicious
• Issuu
• Photoshop Express
• xtimeline
Mine
• Google Reader
• Evernote
• Skype
• Flickr
• SlideRocket
• Facebook (for now)
• Google Docs
• Blip
• Animoto
• XtimeLine
What are yours?
Filed by DK on May 29 2008 | READ IT »
SlideRocket
[SUMMARY—A nice find.]
(WORLD) SlideRocket is a very slick web-based presentation platform—think Powerpoint online.
I've been playing around with it for two reasons:
• a way of keeping all my speaking presentations online as a backup
• a repository for the MediaSnackers trainers and the presentations we use in our training
In all my speaking gigs I use Keynote (as they have the best looking transitions) plus my mobile phone as a clicker (I don't like physical barriers between myself and the audience and never use lecterns)—if I wanted to use SlideRocket I was going to be confined to manually clicking through the presentations… until now: I worked out how to use my little java-based application called Salling Clicker with the SlideRocket offline and online presentations:
This also illustrate the power and versitility of the technology and the web—recording a little video on my Flip camera and then uploading it to my YouTube account I now have the means and the medium to communicate my find to interested parties—ain't social media great!
Filed by DK on May 27 2008 | READ IT »
Cyberbullying Film
[SUMMARY—Set your content free.]
(GBR) Check out this great cyberbullying film produced as part of a wider school-focussed campaign called Let's Fight It Together (produced by Childnet for the DSCF).
One suggestion: set your content free.
Create an embeddable version of the film for posting into weblogs, social networking profiles, other websites etc.—enable people to tell and share your story. Especially the same audience you are focussing on.
UPDATE: Thanks to Jenny who found it on youtube and for letting us know:
Filed by DK on May 25 2008 | READ IT »
Rezed Podcast#3 / MediaSnackers Podcast#110
[SUMMARY—The hub for learning and virtual worlds podcast series.]
(WORLD) The third RezEd podcast, produced by MediaSnackers with Global Kids.
Peggy Sheehy is a Middle School information specialist facilitating the Ramapo Islands Project and the first school-based educator to use Teen Second Life in the classroom—wow.
0.00—0.24 intro
0.25—3.05 RezEd news from Amira and Barry from Global Kids (any news or events can be submitted here)
3.06—3.23 Peggy Sheehy podcast intro
3.24—4.34 how she started out using Second Life
4.35—8.16 what form it took
8.17—11.15 teacher buy-in
11.16—13.42 measuring impact
13.43—15.21 advice for other educators thinking about using virtual worlds
15.22—17.26 future for learning in virtual worlds
17.27—17.36 thanks
17.37—19.28 Amira and Barry detailing the upcoming events for the RezEd community (any news or events can be submitted here)
19.29—19.36 outro
Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.
Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on May 20 2008 | READ IT »
3rd Youth Work Blog
[SUMMARY—Momentum is building.]
(UK) Our recent talk at the Oldham Youth Service staff conference sparked the inspiration for the third UK youth work blog…
Written by Chris and Sue, Senior Assistant Youth Workers, their blog is called Oursaywblog08:
The idea of this blog is not only to help with the promotion of good practice and offer ideas for solutions to problems that may occur in centres around the country, it is also Chris and Sue's coping strategy with the stress and strains of Youth Centre tribulations.
Well done Chris and Sue, welcome to the blogosphere—we're looking forward to delivering some training to the rest of the gang up there.<
Related posts: How To Become A Leader, Wanted: Youth Work Bloggers, Youth Work(ers) Challenged and oneyouthworkbloggercampaign.co.
Filed by DK on May 18 2008 | READ IT »
Make Your Mark: Part Six
[SUMMARY—Film review.]
Trying to put our experience of MediaSnackers into words was always going to be tricky, but we think we've cracked it:
Horizon-widening
Digitally-enhanced
EXCITING
Enlightening
Social-media-tastic!
…need we say more?! Thanks guys!
Emma Farrell, web content and engagement manager, Make Your Mark
Related posts: Make Your Mark Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four and Part Five.
Filed by DK on May 16 2008 | READ IT »
VibeWire Chats
[SUMMARY—The power of skype.]
(AUS) Just got off a skype call to the lovely guys and gals from VibeWire—a non-profit, volunteer-based youth organisation, dedicated to providing increased opportunities for Australia's youth to express themselves.
We had a chat about MediaSnackers, its formation, sustainability strategies and operations. Was great to connect with these guys who are involved in some funky projects on the other side of the world.
Hope to speak to Anna, Annie, Eira, Mary and Nathan again soon…
Filed by DK on May 16 2008 | READ IT »
A Readers Challenge
[SUMMARY—With inspiration from NASA.]
(WORLD) We know we get a cross sector readership on the MediaSnackers blog here (people from charities, brands, marketing and advertising agencies, voluntary and community organisations plus government departments and so and so forth), so here's a little challenge for you guys…
Check out this great slideshare deck below from some young workers at NASA exploring why their organisation are not engaging their generation in their operations and offering suggestions:
Your challenge:
Create a slideshow based on your organisation exploring why you should be creating discussions, conversations and/or participation routes for this younger generation (which for many of you are your client base, students, customers, users of your service etc.).
Maybe look to the youngest guys in your office or department to compile it… when you have completed them drop us a note and we'lll be happy to feature them on here. Looking forward to seeing your creations.
Filed by DK on May 16 2008 | READ IT »
Episode#016 | Make Your Mark / UK Catalyst Awards
[SUMMARY—New social media awards]
(GBR) The MediaSnackers Vodcast presents yummy-youth-media-shots of interviews, insights or event coverage.
Interview with Dan McQuillan, Make Your Mark Digital Guru on the brand new UK Catalyst Awards.
Filed by DK on May 15 2008 | READ IT »
Make Your Mark: Part Five
[SUMMARY—Two dayer (again).]
(GBR) Back again delivering our two day youth professionals training course to the staff at Make Your Mark.
Related posts: Make Your Mark Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
Filed by DK on May 13 2008 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#109
[SUMMARY—Introducing the first UK youth worker blogging.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Hilary Mason is Senior Manager for West Sussex Youth Service AND the first ever uk-based statutory youth worker blogging.
0.00—0.24 intro
0.25—1.22 why Hilary started her blog
1.23—2.20 barriers of entry
2.21—3.11 internal feedback from the organisation
3.12—4.35 following the digital breadcrumbs and wider impact of blogging
4.36—5.31 specific tools and platforms
5.32—6.16 inspiring other to blog (Dave Petrie
6.17—7.05 advice for other youth workers thinking about blogging
7.06—7.55 future
7.56—8.07 outro
Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.
Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Related post: oneyouthworkbloggercampaign.com
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on May 11 2008 | READ IT »
Montains vs Wave
[SUMMARY—Mountains rock but surf's cool.]
(WORLD) For many professionals in youth-focussed organistions social media is something new to consider, understand and develop. One of the most used statements we hear is along the lines of feeling they have been "left behind" and of being "out of touch".
The response we give:
Social media is a wave to catch not a mountain to scale.
With a few peripherals (like a wetsuit and board or computer and net access) it's a totally free activity. Even if you're not very good it makes you see things differently, gets you fit and is even better done with friends…
At the least, you obviously have to learn how to swim first—in this case understand that merely by 'giving it a go' you still won't float without time investment and a little commitment. Plus there's always the danger of getting drilled into the reefs (this is about understanding where to surf).
The online landscape is fluid—ever shifting with continuous momentum to help those already involved.
Waves are powerful things but also fun, constant and sharable.
Don't you just love metaphors…
Filed by DK on May 11 2008 | READ IT »
MyPlace
[SUMMARY—Think spaces not places.]
(GBR) The UK governement recently launched a £190million capital scheme called MyPlace with the aim to "deliver world class youth facilities driven by the active participation of young people and their view and needs". A welcome opportunity for organisations, youth services and charity / voluntary sector groups to invest in much needed youth provision.
Couple this with government backed "National Blueprint Inquiry" lead by the chief executive of Clubs For Young People (I heard about this a few months ago at this event I spoke at—unfortunately, after about a half dozen emails asking for more information I got no response…).
In terms of investing in facilities I would like to offer up something we have learned from our school architect friends and partnerships is this: don't create places, create spaces.
Apart from the ironic and legal ramifications of calling this fund MySpace, the platform does serve as an illustrative model for the succesful components of participation: it has certain parameters, rules and boundaries but equally, it is fluid, open and almost ugly in it's application (see ugly MySpace pages (be careful not to miss the point—it's not the product but the proces which is important).
Taking it a stage further, apply everything Clay Shirky (author of Here Comes Everybody) is discssing below to the MyPlace and 'blueprint' debate:
How can the MyPlace fund enable spaces for young people and youth organisations to connect and explore collaborative opportunities (obviously we think using social media and technology would be a great enabler of this process)?
Related post: The Conversation Banquet
Filed by DK on May 9 2008 | READ IT »
Another New Member
[SUMMARY—More intros.]
(GBR) With the arrival of our new trainers last month we thought we'd carry on growing the family here.
Matt is our new (retro-titled) Gig Hunter…
Hello. I'm Matt, tallest of the MediaSnackers family.
I have a background in community arts development and worked with DK in the South West, before returning to the Midlands for a long tenure at Arts Council England. This work included awarding lottery funding, managing special projects and developing cross sector partnerships plus leading the West Midlands strategy for artists and arts organisations working with young people at risk of offending.
In terms of MediaSnackers, I'm the Gig Hunter, running a heady mix of account managing, research and fundraising.
Someone once described me as unpredictable. My reaction surprised them.
Filed by DK on May 8 2008 | READ IT »
Rezed Podcast#2 / MediaSnackers Podcast#108
[SUMMARY—The hub for learning and virtual worlds podcast series.]
(WORLD) This is the second RezEd podcast, produced by MediaSnackers with Global Kids.
Sasha Barab is an Associate Professor in Learning Sciences, IST and Cognitive Science at Indiana University. He also holds the Barbara Jacobs Chair of Education and Technology, and is the Director of the Center for Research on Learning and Technology—talking here about one of his project called Quest Atlantis, an international learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-15, in educational tasks.
0.00—0.08 intro
0.08—3.19 RezEd news from Amira and Barry from Global Kids (any news or events can be submitted here)
3.24—3.45 intro from Sasha Barab
3.46—4.25 an overview of the Quest Atlantis project (intro film on Rezed)
4.26—5.22 scale, background and scope
5.23—6.13 measurable learning outcomes related to project
6.14—9.32 application of the virtual learning environment
9.33—11.36 Shelley's Frankenstein example
11.37—16.30 challenges for adopters for educators / teachers
16.31—19.30 the future for Quest Atlantis and the use of using games in learning
19.31—19.41 thanks
19.42—21.33 Amira detailing the upcoming events for the RezEd community (any news or events can be submitted here)
21.34—21.50 outro
Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.
Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Related post: 17 Out Of 1010 and RezEd#1 / MediaSnackers Podcast#109
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on May 6 2008 | READ IT »
MediaSnack-snack-snackers#26
[SUMMARY—Quotes which illustrate.]
(WORLD) MediaSnackers are being served more and more ways to snack on their chosen media than ever. It's hard to differentiate between companies and start-ups enabling snacking or the snacking trends driving media platform development, but here are a couple of quotes from the 'experts' or articles to sum it all up for any 'MediaSnacker-virgins':
Virtual worlds are the new battlegrounds for toy manufacturers, kids TV channels and software companies with an eye on the youth market. It is the classic no-brainer. These days, kids are so into social networking sites that their parents have to get Bebo accounts just to call them down to dinner.
How traditional brands/media are populating new media platforms.
Toronto's Ryerson University threatened to expel first-year computer engineering student Chris Avenir last week, arguing that his study group on the Facebook networking site might encourage cheating.
This is just crazy.
MySpace is essentially the world's largest focus group. You can see what resonates with people and then take that content and blow it out worldwide.
Head of MySpace's international arm talking up their potential and impact.
The brands that "get kids" understand the Eureka moment. They understand the art of surprise. They know what it takes to make a child respond with gleaming eyes and a rush of hastily thrown together syllables——ffffwwoaaarhhh… eyeewahnthaaat!". They are able to manufacture the excitement and stimulate the imagination. They are able to allow the kids to transform themselves from a spectator into a participant in the blink of an eye.
How to successfully market to kids and what we can all learn from this.
What's exciting is that people are building new social systems, new systems of review, new systems of governance.My hope is that those will produce… new ways of working together effectively and fairly which we can use globally to manage ourselves as a planet.
Tim Berners-Lee still waxing lyrical about the positiveness of this interweb stuff.
MediaSnack-snack-snackers #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25.
Filed by DK on May 4 2008 | READ IT »
Oldham Youth Services Staff Conference
[SUMMARY—Speaking.]
(GBR) At a staff conference yesterday for youth workers in Oldham where I delivered a short talk on social media and young people plus a little masterclass illustrating a few platforms.
Absolutely fascinating. What caught my attention was how we as Youth Workers could use the talk sites to promote what we are going and communicate with young people. Please could I go on any training that DK is running as I thought it amazing. Thank you he was an inspiration.
Enjoyed the session delivered by DK, it certainly opened my eyes. I am interested in further sessions as this is an area that us 'oldies' have not got a clue.
An inspirational session—it was a real light bulb moment and I can't wait to start integrating social media methodoology into my work… DK was a very inspiring and engaging facilitator.
It was a cool, sexy and superb presentation. A great platform for us to get motivated and catch up with the young people we work with. Can't wait for the training!
It was awesome and left me wanting further hands on training. I think it's important training for all those working with young people.
Quotes from the youth work staff whom atended.
Filed by DK on May 3 2008 | READ IT »
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