Today we had an inspiring meeting with a group of people interested in our wiki - the wiki reference group. Trish was introduced as the new project worker. She doesn't officially start until mid January, but she was good enough to come in for the morning because a lot of people will be on holidays in January.

We brainstormed a wiki wish list and came up with a broad range of categories. It remains to be seen if they are perhaps too broad - there is a bit of a balance between optimistic and realistic. But the great thing about the wiki is that it can continue to grow. We hope to make a lot of new networks and collaborators at the same time.

All suggestions for our engaging students wiki are welcome!

Yeterday I went to the Doxa School in Bendigo to make a podcast of the students talking about their “Doxa school” experiences. We then made another where Principal, John Russell and graduate teacher Beck talk about the challenges and rewards of teaching students who as a general rule would prefer not to go to school at all. The unanimous opinion was that if you are not enjoying school and probably not attending then Doxa just might be the place to turn that around. Both teachers and students believed that this was because:

• classes were smaller allowing a stronger teacher/student relationship,
• learning was done in groups with students at the same learning level,
• there was lots of fun as well as work,
• students felt that they were treated with greater respect.

Peter Maher, a regular radio presenter on 3AW was kind enough to agree to conduct the interviews and they are well worth listening to. (Ready in a week or so). Unfortunately, a technical hitch meant that we had to record the students twice and second time around Tom, (who was brilliant) had to go to the dentist so he missed out. The students were great value and I thank them for their sincerity and honesty (and patience!)

Chance of a life time....

A number of young people are likely to be feeling nervous tonight... tomorrow they are attending an information day to learn more about the Doxa Cadetship Program.
They are hoping to not only get into a university course but also to become part of the Doxa Cadetship Program in 2009. Those who succeed will receive financial assistance, new professional and personal skills, work experience with a corporate organisation, (usually with work in the area of their studies). They finish their degree course with great contacts, a better understanding of the corporate world and a better chance of getting a fabulous new job... Who wouldn't be nervous! Best of luck to all you young people!

Getting into the blog .... and the wiki

This blogging is not as easy as it looks.

There is some technology, some layout and then of course having something to talk about that anyone is interested in hearing about.

Today we appointed someone to develop the engaging students wiki. Very exciting. Trish Dower, currently a primary school teacher with a great deal of skill in technology will be starting in January '09. She will spend time on scoping the project, networking and researching.

Any ideas are very welcome.

First blog - start of a revolution

It was more than a year ago when I started at Doxa Youth Foundation and I remember thinking, "You are a communicator working in a youth organisation, you need to start using some social media!"

And here I am 14 months later starting a blog. But this, my first foray into social media will soon be followed by another - Doxa Youth Foundation is getting a wiki. Thank you auDA Foundation for the funding that will see Doxa able to employ a project worker to help us to set up a wiki that will focus on students at risk of becoming disengaged from education, particularly students who are attending, or would benefit from attending an alternative to mainstream education.