Tools FlashMobs

Interested in trying a web 2.0 tool that could help connect people, ideas and information in your community? As you take breaks between program offerings, join us for a tool "flashmob*." We'll spend ten minutes on introducing and demonstrating the tool, ten minutes on experimentation and hands-on use and ten minutes on questions and debrief. Bring your laptop, iPad, digital camera, cell phone and curiosity!

These flashmobs are designed to give you just enough experience to play with the tools on your own during and after the conference... and maybe even share some conference happenings while you're still there!

* Flashmob: A flash mob (or flashmob) is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then disperse. The term flash mob is generally applied only to gatherings organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails. The term is generally not applied to events organized by public relations firms, protests, and publicity stunts. From: Wikipedia

Session 1: Network Tools

Wednesday, October 6, 2 - 2:30pm

Twitter

Twitter may seem “twivial” but it is a tool that can help you connect, scale and reach people you may not even know you want to reach. For the first ten minutes we’ll sign up for a Twitter account and learn three use tips about setting up your Twitter page, finding interesting people to follow and hashtags. Then you will have 10 minutes to do a short activity, followed by 10 minutes to debrief. This is fast! Thank goodness we are limited to 140 characters per “tweet” (Twitter message).

Session 2: Visual Tools

Wednesday, October 6, 4- 4:30

YouTube: Beyond video sharing

It’s more than videos of kittens and double rainbows! YouTube is a treasure trove of “how to’s” that can help communities learn and teach what they want, when they want! For the first ten minutes we’ll get YouTube accounts (or log in if you already have one. Look up your lost password in advance!) and explore how to find, bookmark and organize content around a theme. Then you will have 10 minutes to find three videos that might matter to your community. Finally, we’ll finish with a quick 10 minute debrief.

Session 3: Information Flow and Management Tools

Thursday, October 7, 2 - 2:30pm

Feedreaders

Is the Internet too much of a good thing? Drowning in data? Come check out what are known as “feedreaders” or “content aggregators.” For the first 10 minutes we’ll look at two examples of these tools, iGoogle and Netvibes. Then you will have 10 minutes to set up an account and add at least two kinds of content to your new reader. So think about what you might want to track or follow for YOUR community. Finally, we’ll finish with a quick 10 minute debrief.