Adding a Stream to #walkmyworld
Below is an email I sent out to the other #walkmyworld organizers. In the spirit of us trying to document our work in the open I share it here as well.
Just wanted to gauge everyone’s opinion on adding a dedicated Stream this year.
Past Streams
Last two years we have just used Twitter as the stream. Scaffolding people on to social media is a major goal that emerged from #walkmyworld.
We also set up a public RSS feed. We originally wanted to build something like the Connected Courses Stream but the grants we applied for did not come through. We couldn’t cover development cost.
Possible 2016 Stream
If we had a stream this year it would be a Known site. This is the same publishing platform we are going to tell people to use who have never really blogged before.
Known is an open source and free tool to use. If people wanted to really own their own domain they offer awesome student discounts.
A Known stream would allow people:
- to publish just to the group
- publish openly
- publish openly and syndicate to Twitter/Facebook
Technically we could even make it a private site.
The work flow would be publish on your own site. Share to the stream and decide what level of privacy you want and where to syndicate your post.
Pros
- greater control of privacy.
- we can integrate using Stream into Learning Events
- greater FERPA compliance
- allow those who “don’t get Twitter” or vulnerable populations who may not feel safe to still participate
Cons
- Another place to publish.
- Is it barrier to get involved?
- no RSS feed for comments.
- We are holding student data (may have local IRB implications).
- We have to maintain it (minimal).
Please let everyone know where you stand on the issue. If you have any questions or want to discuss it please feel free.
Just make sure to reply all. Better yet if you have ten minutes blog your response.
I will be sharing this email all over the Web.
Originally published at walkmyworld2016.jgregorymcverry.com on January 9, 2016.
