There is no such thing as a generically good tool; there are only tools good for particular jobs. Contrary to the hopes of countless managers, technology is not an infinitely elastic piece of fabric that can be stretched to cover any situation. Instead, a good social tool is ike a good woodworking tool - it must be designed to fit the job being done, and it must help people do something they actually want to do. If you designed a better shovel, people would not rush out to dig more ditches. (pp. 265-266)

• What makes a good tool good?
• Why is that a good tool can be ineffective if the user doesn't use it correctly?
• What are some of your favorite educational tools and how do you use them to teach?

The most profound effects of social tools lag their invention by years, because it isn't until they have a critical mass of adopters, adopters who take these tools for granted, that their real effects begin to appear. (p. 270)

• Which educational tools are just now being used by a critical mass of people?
• Which tools do you take for granted? How about your students?
  

As this is the final chapter in Shirky's book, I would like to conclude with one over-arching question:

• How has the book Here Comes Everybody changed the way you see our modern, collaborative world?

Reference:

• Shirky, C. (2008). Here comes everybody. New York: The Penguin Press.
  

Image Source: Flickr user lounger

Technorati Tags: shirky education qandqshirky