1. The GradConnect Project Alex Hardman

2. Aims Talk about GradConnect…. What is it? Why develop it? How does it work? What’s in it for the target users (PG’s)?

3. What is GradConnect? Social Networking/ Blogging Platform Academic Orientation Designed to: –make it easy to find others with similar interests –facilitate knowledge transfer

4. Why develop GradConnect? Facilitate networking opportunities/ Reduce Isolation Shares ideas/ knowledge/ research interests (Social Learning) Practice writing and communication skills Develop transferable ICT skills Meet other researchers

5. How does GradConnect work? Personal SpaceCommunity Space Blog Files RSS Feeds RSS Feeds Tags Profile Friends User Community 1 Community 2 Community 3 Contact Member

6. What’s in all this for PG’s? Ask PhD bloggers – “Why do you blog?”“Why do you blog?” Fenia’s blog

7. Potential collaborative uses Collaborate/ Co Create Support Groups Journal clubs Project communities Research interest groups Social groups

8. Video Blogs in Plain EnglishBlogs in Plain English Questions

9. http://rhogos.mc.man.ac.uk/gradconnect/