A few weeks ago I was introduced to Vyew on Pat Aroune’s blog. I enjoy Pat’s writings and his “view” on education and technology. He is exploring the limits of what can be done and I have gained much knowledge from his musings.
I want to try/use Vyew. I have played with it at home with two computers side-by-side and it seems to be quite good. Pat writes about how it is being used by his students to build learning communities outside of the classroom. This is powerful stuff!
Now my conundrum. While I can access Vyew from home, the filters established at school block it behind our network firewall. I have asked that this filter be “adjusted” to allow Vyew access from the classroom, but no luck thus far. However, I do remain hopeful.
Tech types ask why not use “Interwise”, a similar type of interface that our Department of Education pays big bucks for. I explain that, while Vyew may be a simpler, stripped version of Interwise, it is more powerful in many ways, including a) Vyew is web-based and requires no software downloads, b) Vyew is browser based and cross platform, c) Vyew is free, d) Vyew is accessible to all members of our learning community (Interwise is only accessible by teachers – students do not have it on their laptops), e) Vyew is free!, f) Vyew is available without consideration to administrative download rights of external collaborative partners, g) Vyew is FREE!!!…well…you get the idea…
I am firmly a believer in modelling the use of web tools in our classrooms that students can then use as part of their personal learning experiences. To say “Wow, here is a great learning tool but…ooops…sorry, you can use it…” just doesn’t cut it with me. Pat Aroune’s anecdotes about his students using Vyew to learn together speak strongly.
Sometimes the best things in life are are free.
Note to readers…my optimism was rewarded…this morning the filter was “adjusted” and I can now access Vyew from inside the network firewall at our school…:)
technorati tags: education, vyew, technology, aroune