I have been trying to get a cyber book club going for learning professionals for the past few weeks. I got the idea while reading msconfino’s blog and her list of reading. Since I’m finding that my PD is much more enlightening via online interactions, I thought it would be interesting to see if something like a traditional book club could be done using the tools of web2.0.
My first respondent was missprofe. Then, a while later, Elona Hartjes at Teachers at Risk, showed some interest. Miguel then suggested Dan Pink’s Whole New Mind as a good starting point.
David Truss contacted me last week and after some discussion we have decided to go ahead and give the cyber book club a try. Our starting point will be Dan Pink’s A Whole New Mind.
I had first thought we might Skype but realized that the time difference could be a real problem! :-0 So I wonder if a wiki would be a place to start where we could gather thoughts and ideas about the book. If anyone else has an idea how to do this, please forward ideas! It would be an open wiki so anyone who wanted could join our discussion or add their ideas. Since some of us have identities in SL, it might be possible for us to meet and have a discussion there - sort of like a real book club meeting only in SL. I even have bad coffee to share!
David Truss is also advertising the idea on his site. If anyone is interested, drop David or I a comment or email. I think that this might be a way for learning professionals to cooperate across the web. It would be putting the theory into action - I’m going to be asking my students to use wikis and blogs and probably podcasts. If they can do it, we can too !! 
13 responses so far ↓
Sounds like a great idea. I would recommend using a discussion board, though. They allow you to keep books organized by thread while still having a running conversation over time. A blog could do the same if you’re only planning on focusing on one book at a time for an extended period of time.
I’ve listed some free forum providers on my wiki: http://hoefler.wikispaces.com/forums
I’ll be following what happens with this. Book clubs are cool … digital ones could be even cooler.
I would love to participate in an online discussion about A Whole New Mind. Let me know when you will be getting started.
I love the idea of a virtual book club. I just wish I could get this book in KL. I’ve been looking for it for months, but none of our bookstores have it (and I’m lucky that we have Borders and some other large chains here - in Munich it was practically impossible to get English language books outside of very small specialty shops).
If I can get a hold of a copy, I would love to participate though!
(and btw: my name is cofino - it’s Italian - co fi no
)
I’m looking forward to the book club. Just tell me when, and how.:)
Definitely a great idea and a great book to start with. I think a wikispace would serve the purpose well- I too will be looking for this to take off!
I’ve just ordered the book!
I would love to participate. I’ve already read it, but our Vision committee at our high school is reading the book now so I am rereading it.
I’d also love to be able to share this idea with them!
I wonder if using a site with chat would be helpful.
Would a site like Tapped In work? Or what about wetpaint? or wikispaces?
They have both bloglike and wikilike features.
I’m excited about trying this idea!
[...] http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2007/02/19/literacy-the-book-club-way/ [...]
Wow Kelly,
Great to see the responses you are getting! Here is one more to join us,
http://chalkdust101.blogspot.com/
Now we need to chat and figure out the format. Should we use a discussion board as Eric recommends above, or a wiki of some sort? I think we should get the ball rolling!
Dave
Why not join our conversation at http://itls.saisd.net/book ?
We’re discussing Pink’s book and chapter 1 and 2 is just starting this week.
Miguel
Perhaps too late, but I was just thinking: have you considered using LibraryThing? They let users create book groups really easily. (And becoming a user is amazingly simple, too.)
Just another thought. I’ll be watching the wiki.
Thanks!
Count me in and kudos (again) to our resident geek goddess, Carolyn Foote, for making our campus aware (via her blog, of course) of this opportunity.
Perfect timing for me as I’ve been wanting to read the book and look forward to exchanging ideas with all from everywhere..
Constance–
Great seeing you here
Leave a Comment