Hi Paul, Randy

Great discussion --- and very important contribution in building sustainable
OER futures :-).

A couple of thoughts -- Rich Text Editing is always a topical issue in
Mediawiki circles:

   - Wikis are first and foremost about community --- our growth and success
   is the result of a committed and dedicated community of educators, taking
   the strengths (and weaknesses) of our technology into account. Remove the
   technology -- we still have a community :-).
   - To date, we have been reluctant to implement Rich Text Editing (RTE) in
   the absence of a committed funding source to ensure a successful
   implementation. That barrier has now been removed with the NZ Ministry of
   Education project to support proper integration and implementation of RTE in
   WikiEducator :-). Kudos to the NZ MOE!
   - We should always provide freedom of choice -- our intention is to
   implement the RTE as an optional "skin" -- this way experienced WikiEducator
   editors will have the choice of continuing with standard wiki editing --
   which is faster and provides more control. However, at the same time we will
   be able to provide Newbies an easy to use alternative to contributing to the
   project. A classic win-win scenario.
   - A big issue with RTE is the challenge associated with high use
   templates (eg our pedagogical templates and navigation templates.) With
   thanks to a solid research paper commissioned by the NZ MOE, we have now
   specified a workable solution for these templates with the added advantage
   of combining the experience of the eXe project's work on iDevices. This will
   make WikiEducator rock!

Now that WikiEducator is an independant project under the OER Foundation --
we have more scope to integrate technology innovation. Previously working
under the auspices of an international agency -- we did not have the remit
to engage in major software development initiatives. This is one of the
reasons why it was important to set up WikiEducator as an independant
project.

We are now in a very strong position to focus on a core WikiEducator value,
namely "a *forward-looking disposition* working together to find appropriate
and sustainable solutions for e-learning futures."

Lets make the future happen!

Cheers
Wayne




2009/9/6 Randy Fisher <[email protected]>

> Hi Paul,
>
> When the 'late majority' (Geoffrey Moore's Crossing the Chasm model, -
> which Wayne isn't too crazy about! <smile>) come to the party (via Rich Text
> Editing), they will join the Innovators and Early Adopters (who know wiki
> syntax), and will find a thriving community of peers. I think this is
> critically important for folks who are technically savvy, and those who are
> not.....that they are joining and participating with a group of folks who
> have 'experienced a different experience', and are ready to share and learn
> from, and with each other.
>
> It will be most interesting to see how things evolve in the not too distant
> future! <smile>
>
> - Randy
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 1:18 PM, Paul Seiler <[email protected]>wrote:
>
>>
>> Randy, I have found your views to be true and I ask NZ teachers about
>> WE, both those involved in L4C29 and those not yet trained. I do not
>> think we will reach a critical mass of teachers contributing/modifying
>> OER without a FCK (or the like), as they will always say they are too
>> busy learning other new things (like our new curriculum, for example
>> http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/).
>>
>> There will always be those willing to learn wiki syntax or who already
>> know it, but my experience shows that this is a very minority of NZ
>> teachers.
>>
>> Paul.
>>
>> On Sep 6, 1:28 am, NELLIE DEUTSCH <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> > Gurmit,
>> > You build it, and they will come. I suggest you start a page on
>> WikiEducator
>> > and I for one will definitely join. I started the mentoring project you
>> were
>> > interested in way back and would love to see your input.
>> > Warm wishes,
>> > Nellie Deutsch
>> > Sharing is Caring!http://www.nelliemuller.com
>> > Doctoral Student
>> > Educational Leadership
>> > Curriculum and Instruction
>> > Get ready for CO10:http://connecting-online.ning.com/
>> > Free online workshops on WikiEducator:
>> http://www.wikieducator.org/Workshops
>> >
>> > On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 6:42 AM, Gurmit Singh <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Hello everyone,
>> >
>> > > As I compare and assess various approaches and frameworks for using
>> > > learning technologies effectively and efficiently, I wanted to ask if
>> > > anyone is interested in discussing how developing OER ca optimize
>> > > knowledge transfer at a distance.
>> >
>> > > This is a big emerging question in my field, which is organizing HIV
>> > > AIDS workshops, conferences and e-learning, as we try and assess which
>> > > will be the path to success for the next 5 years, bringing technology
>> > > strategically into our work.
>> >
>> > > I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas,
>> >
>> > > Thanks
>> > > Gurmit
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> PS. Here's a link to some info about me:
> http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher
>
> ________________
> Randy Fisher  MA, OMD
> Senior Consultant, Intersol Group
> Ottawa, Canada
>
> * Change Management, Learning & Performance
> * Stakeholder Engagement, Virtual Collaboration & Communities of Practice
> * Organization Design & Development
> * Coaching & Facilitation
> * E-Learning
>
>
> + 1 604.684.2275 (Pacific Time)
>   [email protected]
>
> http://www.wikieducator.org - Member, WikiEducator Community Council
>
> Skype: wikirandy
>
> "Open Education is a Sustainable & Renewable Resource.
>
>
>
> >
>


-- 
Wayne Mackintosh, Ph.D.
Director,
International Centre for Open Education,
Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand.
Board of Directors, OER Foundation.
Founder and Community Council Member, Wikieducator, www.wikieducator.org
Mobile +64 21 2436 380
Skype: WGMNZ1
Twitter: OERFoundation, Mackiwg

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