Baby Steps... one foot at a time.

Web 2.0 is about sharing information. We can improve our services by accessing and using the tools, knowledge and skills of others. We all benefit by what others make, create and share. We are all lifelong learners. (Doesn't that fit nicely with our core philosophies as an adult learning centre?)

One of the challenges, as we try to integrate more of these Web 2.0 applications into our daily work activities, is that we need to make sure the material is not too complicated. We can access materials that others have created. We can create audio and video explanations. We can have our students create their own explanations as they become familiar with the applications. We can make the materials better suit our students' needs and learning styles.

Wink is a free-ware tutorial and presentation software that starts with screen captures and does so much more! FotoFlexer is another free Web 2.0 application that can help us. We can modify photos and images as needed.

So we can make a tutorial that explains how to set up an email account, for example. We can then add voice and videos as people start using it. The coolest part of Web 2.0 is that everything is beta. We don't have to wait for it to be perfect before starting and we can make improvements as needed. We gain from the collaborative efforts and synergy of everyone whether staff, volunteers or students!

Stay tuned for Learning 2.0: The Beta Project... coming to an adult learning centre near you!