Notes from sessions below:
Social media for social good
Catherine Lückhoff presented a case study on the Foschini Group CSI 16 Days of Activism campaign which was conceptualised and implemented by MANGO-OMC. Utilising online, offline and mobile mediums, the campaign created large scale awareness around violence against women and children, and more specifically for 16 NPOs that support victims of abuse. Critical aspects of the campaign included a strategic and integrated communications plan; acquiring the buy-in from key partners, media and online personalities; embracing the concept that charity starts at home; and being open to collaborating and exploring new concepts.
Linking in to the MANGO-OMC initiative, Catherine Jenkin gave a perspective on HIV-911's experiences within the social media sphere. Looking at the obstacles, the successes and the anchors on which they have pinned themselves.
Talking heads
Michael Paskevicius
The Open Educational Resources (OER) project at the University of Cape Town (UCT) aims to make existing and new learning materials/resources developed at UCT more widely accessible for use and/or re-mixing both within the university itself and across disciplinary communities globally. To this end our project is responsible for creating a UCT-branded searchable directory of OER’s created at UCT, advocacy and support for the creation of learning materials as OER, and ensuring that UCT OER is visible in global OER directories such as OER Commons and CCLearn.
In a room full of venture capitalists, software programmers, entrepreneurs, journalists, educators, and management types the idea of open education should most likely appeal to at least one of these groups of people. I was pleasantly surprised to find that for the most part the concept of OER was well regarded across all disciplines.
The fact that one of the most difficult challenges would be in getting faculty buy-in was shared and this diverse group suggested a number of interesting strategies for improving uptake on the system. The developers were able to give me excellent advice around optimizing the discoverability of the site and its associated content. The social media gurus were able to offer advice on attracting and maintaining users in the system. The management folks were able to advise me on institutionalizing the creation of OER. The educators were able to present their concerns and reservations, which is always some of the most valuable information I can acquire!
What shone most brightly was the enthusiasm shared amongst the group in pushing the boundaries of traditional education. I am incredibly happy with the experience and grateful for all the insight shared throughout the weekend.
Craig Rodney. Question posed: If you were given R500k to start a project, what would it be?
Skills required list
Publish a list of actual skills that are demanded by the business sector (for each sector) to influence learners seeking guidance on what to study. Info can either be sourced from companies or from recruitment companies – strip out the “skills required” section within each job listing and mine the info from there. It might actually become profitable if the recruitment agencies are willing to pay for listings.
Geek School
This was obviously Heidi and it's a rocking idea which she is going to be running with anyway.
Inner city computer hubs
Computer labs in containers in the inner city. Could be done quite funky if are able to tie it into a corporate sponsor.
Photocopy textbooks
As the subject suggests, we commit the unthinkable crime of buying 1 textbook for each subject and making hundreds of copies for kids who can't afford them. Then when they try and sue us we run and hide. Screw it, we stand our ground and tell them we have a legal copy.
Prize
Basically put up a R500k prize / bounty for the most deserving project.
Mobile mobile mobile
Invest in mobile content frameworks to deliver educational content to mobile phones.
Come on home
Not the most specific idea but invest in attracting skilled Saffirs back to SA.
Portal
Some people can give ideas, others time & skills, others money. The idea is to develop a portal that lists all the local education projects currently underway and people can donate / contribute to the projects they like. Most people would rather just give cash. If the portal gave them something back (not sure what), then we can get them to donate / pay R50 and they get to choose which project to support. Maybe someone like Outsurance would consider being a big corporate sponsor.
Skill shares
Elaine Rumboll on breathing
Based on the research by Linda Stone (2009), it was shown that when we do e mail we often hold our breath. Holding one’s breath whilst engaging with work online often results in email apnea. Correct breathing cues our attention. Breath is often taken through the mouth which activates our sympathetic nervous system and is associated with fight and flight. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated it is a cue for our bodies to defend themselves and large amounts of cortisol, cholesterol and noradrenalin are downloaded into our blood system. Breathing through the nose however, holding it for two counts and ensuring that that the nasal exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation activates our parasympathetic nervous system which is associated with rest and reflection. This apparently reboots one’s parasympathetic nervous system into a relaxed mode making work more manageable and clear.
