John Bidder, adviser for ICT & Innovation in Bolton Local Authority, set up WikiVille recently - a project largely run by young people who's mission is to paint a picture of life for them in their part of town. School representatives were recruited to run introductory workshops, at which learners determined their own Rules of Engagement.
There are already a bunch of international participants, and the site welcomes learners of all ages and abilities. It would be a really fun way of introducing students to wiki's and global citizenship while covering geography or social science.
I was interested to learn that Lancashire food is considered strange and unhealthy (although the author neglected to say by who) and that mushy peas are known as Lancashire caviar. I also enjoyed the brief list of names for bread rolls in different parts of England - variously called batch, balm cakes, bap, we call them cobs in Leicester.
Will Richardson was over helping out, and Scott Wilson missed him.
Interesting stuff. We launch our wiki project in the near future...What I Know Is...Gateshead (wikiGateshead) - a collaborative history of Gateshead from multiple vantage points (local history, culture, environment) with partners in libraryland, local schools and U3A...
Posted by: Peter Bolger | Saturday, March 04, 2006 at 12:11
Will be looking forward to it and also to catching up wth you in the near future! I see your blog workshop (http://www.gatesheadgrid.org/archives/002704.html) on the first was very popular! Hope to meet you and Sue at some point soon - will you be coming to the June conference?
Posted by: Josie | Saturday, March 04, 2006 at 18:26
Yes a pork pie in certain parts of Yorkshire is called a Growler and it has been known to be used as a unit of time. e.g. one rugby match attendee to another:
Q: How long have you been here?
A: About two growlers....
Posted by: Leon Cych | Monday, March 06, 2006 at 11:15