Digital Tools
Slack –
Slack is a text based chat program that is a little more fun than similar technologies that came before it (irc chat – if you were ever into that kind of thing). It has fun features like emoji reactions and gif responses. You will need an account (you will receive an invitation to join the DigPINS Slack team, as having an account is not enough) and you will stay most connected if you download the app and turn on notifications or at the very least log in once a day – read what is going on and/or leave a comment. Slack is not a public communication tool, it is just for your team.
Here is a video by Taylor Jadin with guidance on how to use Slack:
Here is a short video that explains why Maha Bali feels spaces like Slack are particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Blogs –
As part of developing a digital identity participants are asked to publicly blog usually on a weekly basis. This can be done as a single blog for the entire group, having participants set up their own blogs, or a mixture of both. Blogging platforms can include WordPress, Blogger, and others. You can either create a free account and give Maha your blog link, or you can ask Maha to give you author access within auc.digpins.org
Hypothesis –
Hypothesis is a social annotation tool for the web and digital documents. You will need an account and a browser plugin is optional. This tool allows us to collectively mark up a text that we are all reading in-line with comments, questions, and even video and images.
Synchronous Video Calls
Typically some weeks, facilitators organize a synchronous video call with the participants and sometimes invite special guests. You will need a camera and microphone to be able to participate; this could be a webcam on your computer or a smartphone/tablet. Some sync video platforms are Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, and others.
Social Media
Throughout the course participants are encouraged to join in on live Twitter chats with some established online communities, as well as the ongoing asynchronous conversation using the hashtag #DigPINS.
*** Please note
Please note that we are using tools that are all freely available (or have free versions). If you have concerns over privacy for yourself or for your students, you can read their terms & conditions, or we can discuss the pros and cons of each platform for your purposes. Working on the open web is essential for connected learning, which we are applying here in DigPINS, and you can build community with your students in these and other ways which you consider most appropriate. Also, check out TOSDR.org (for a short overview of some Terms and conditions of many tools)
