Cloudworks is a social networking site that allows users to share and discuss ideas about learning and teaching through "clouds". Clouds are the core objects of the site and can be ideas, case studies, tools, questions or problems. Users can follow clouds and other users to receive their activity in a personalized activity stream. The site also includes cloudscapes, which are collections of clouds around specific topics. The developers used an iterative design process, gathering feedback to improve the site and increase usage over multiple phases by adding more social features and functionality. Usage statistics show growing adoption of the site for collaborating around events, discussing topics, finding resources and emerging practices.

1. An introduction to cloudworks: a social networking site for sharing & discussing learning and teaching Gráinne Conole, Open University, UK JISC Eluminate session 4 th November 2009 http://cloudworks.ac.uk

2. Harnessing web 2.0 practices Teachers/designers want examples , want to share/discuss ! Many repositories of good practice , but little impact Can we change practices through use of web 2.0 ideas? Blogging Facebook Twitter Slideshare Flckr Youtube Commenting Live commentary Tagging RSS feeds Embedding Following

3. Open design: Social and collective

5. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

6. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

7. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

8. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

9. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

10. Key concepts: Clouds Clouds: Ideas Design or case studies Tools or resources Questions or problems

12. Key concepts: Cloudscapes Cloudscapes: Conferences Workshops Course team Student cohort Research theme Project

13. Key concepts: Cloudscapes Cloudscapes: Conferences Workshops Course team Student cohort Research theme Project

14. Key concepts: Cloudscapes Cloudscapes: Conferences Workshops Course team Student cohort Research theme Project

17. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds

18. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds Cloudscapes

19. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds Cloudscapes Comments

20. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds Cloudscapes Comments Links

21. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds Cloudscapes Comments Links References

22. Key concepts: Activity streams Clouds Cloudscapes Comments Links References Extra content

28. Theoretical perspectives “ Social objects” Social networking makes little sense if we leave out the objects that mediate the ties between people Engeström Design framework for sociality Enabling practice Mimicking reality Building identity Actualising self Bouman et al .

34. Some stats…. 1360 registered users Aspect Everyone Team Non-team Cloudscapes 117 49 68 Clouds 1386 935 451 Comments 1882 613 1269 Links 1581 1165 416 Added Sept.

38. An introduction to cloudworks: a social networking site for sharing & discussing learning and teaching Gráinne Conole, Open University, UK November 2009 http://cloudworks.ac.uk