THINKTECH GOES LIVE

Announcing the D-logue
www.thinktech.co.nz

What is a D-logue?
A D-logue is new web tool set up to create a public policy discussion in the form of wide-ranging debate where all voices are equally heard and that can be owned by the participants in the debate.

Why is Secondary Futures creating the first D-logue?
The fifth of our theme papers, the Place of Technology in schooling, is being produced as a web tool, an e-presence.

New Zealanders have told us they need to keep learning about the way the world is changing and what this means for young people and for all of us. The D-logue makes it possible for the dialogue to continue, and for the ideas to be shared.

We want to model a way of working that can keep helping New Zealanders thinking about what young people to be successful in the future.

The D-logue is a way to make this happen.

Remember, a ‘blog’ is actually a web site. We know the difference between a blog and a web site, not because the technology is different, but because we use them differently.

A ‘D-Logue’ is a cross between a web site, a facebook page and a wiki. It’s a place for people to have a policy dialogue.

It’s like a web site because we can upload documents and material and use it like a ‘cupboard’.

It’s like facebook because it’s a live interactive site where people can have live chats or upload pictures/videos etc and use it as a social networking tool.

It’s like a wiki because ‘like-minded’ people are invited to join up and swap information, chat etc. (A wiki is just another live social networking tool, often used by a small group of professionals to connect with others working in different parts of the country/world).

What’s our goal?
Our goal is to share New Zealander’s vision for the Place of Technology in schooling by modelling the vision: that while the scope of new technologies defies prediction, they will undoubtedly have an impact on education, on living and on working.

People need to keep up with these changes, think about what they might mean for Aotearoa and how that fits with our values.

We want to create a space where experts on technology will share their ideas and knowledge with people involved in education. We want them to upload their material, chat to each other, and network - to have a dialogue.

We also want as many people as possible not usually involved in these debates to listen into the chats and take part - students, business, parents.

In a way, this is an on-line ‘think-tank’; a policy ‘TV channel’.

Later, we will print a short version of the theme paper, linking people to the D-logue.

What’s different about a ‘D-logue’? How is this different to a web site or facebook? Why don’t we just use those tools?

It’s true that the functionality of a ‘D-logue’ is not new. What is new is that we are using it as a tool to have a live policy debate - for the first time.

It’s a new model for how government can have a conversation with citizens on any issue (health, education, aid etc)

Imagine this: ‘experts’ and leaders sit in a room and debate an issue, or show each other their latest work, and for the first time, potentially 1000s of New Zealanders can sit in the same room (virtually) and listen or take part.

It’s the first time this kind of technology has been used to have a wide community consultation.

It’s also unique because unlike facebook or a web site, it is designed to create an output. All the material and conversations on the site can be saved at the end of the project.

This is the first time this kind of technology has been used as a tool for government to carry out wide community consultation. Experts and leaders can debate hot issues, and potentially 1000s of New Zealanders can listen in and take part.

The ThinkTech goes live on 31 March, with an on-line debate from Te Papa.

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