Building a learning network among geographically-spread trade skills students and their mentors

1. Using online social networking to engage trade students Building online learning networks Simon Brown Stonemasonry teacher, SkillsTech Australia

5. Traditional training delivery Traditional classroom delivery places the teacher at the centre of the students’ learning experience, pushing information out Student Student Student Teacher

6. Challenging the perspective I am challenging the perspective, pulling information in to a common space Student Student Student Teacher

7. Drawing information in Drawing information from students creates an environment in which they share with other students Student Student Student Teacher

8. Encouraging dialogue Employers provide feedback about training activities and apprentices’ performance, continuing a dialogue between learners and experts in the work place Student Student Employer Student Teacher

9. Building links I am building strong links between students and employers in the learning environment Employer Student Student Employer Student Teacher

10. Strengthening links The desired outcome is a strongly-supported learning network of masters and novices Employer Employer Student Student Employer Student Teacher

11. Linking Slideshare to Youtube videos

13. Preparing for concreting You may either view this movie at http:// au.youtube.com/watch?v =Y1KkoDJ2h1Y or click the object below

17. Ning management tools

22. Shannon’s page

24. Videolinq media streaming

27. Flashmeeting is a webconferencing tool useful for distant training delivery. Developed by the Knowledge Media Institute at BBC Open University, it is a free application. This view is a screen capture of the meeting booking form.

28. The meeting booking request immediately triggers an email with URL and other details

29. The meeting details are published in the stonemasonry wiki to alert students.

30. The meeting is conducted using text chat, audio and webcam.

31. Immediately after the meeting, an archived version is available at the same link originally used to access it.

32. The meeting replay is a downloadable video clip, useful for recording interaction during the session.

33. The “meeting minutes” link archives the chat line, recording participants’ engagement during the session.

34. The “meeting analysis” link analyses participants’ activities as a time line. Votes on issues during the session are also recorded here.

35. The “meeting analysis” link provides graphic representation of participants’ webcam/audio broadcast activity.

36. The “meeting analysis” link also provides graphic representation of participants’ text interaction.