The Education Bazaar

I was talking last week with Darla, a librarian friend, and discussing the new role of “Google Jockey” that suddenly exists. For those of you who are not yet familiar, a Google Jockey assists a presenter or lecturer with identifying resources in real time during a presentation.

The results are shared on a second screen…but I would use a wiki-based interface for my results, not just show the screen. Many audience members these days in my sessions are listening, and surfing at the same time. Rather than be offended by this, I ENCOURAGE it

I think this involves the participant in the topic much more than passive receptivity, assuming that my topic is engaging to begin with. If not, keeps them out of trouble! Stephen Downes did this last spring using JotSpot. Very effective. Most references so far have been in university lecture settings.

I am thinking that you will see this as a service offered at progressive conferences in the near future. If I were running a major event, like a keynote at a big educational technology conference, I would gladly spend a few hundred dollars to pay a skilled Google Jockey to bring my “millenial” audience into the presentation through multiple modalities.

As I am talking with Darla, she indicates that such a role would be an ideal side job for Web 2.0 Librarians, and you know, I believe she have something. Who better skilled to locate quality resources quickly? Isn’t that what librarians love to do?

Although clearly not every librarian is ready for Librarian 2.0 status, Darla is! Check out her blog at:

Alaska Bush Library Services Blog
http://aklibrarian1.edublogs.org

It seems to me that the Google Jockey role would be an ideal side job and source of income for some innovative group of librarians who live near major conference center.

Here are some links on the Google Jockey scene:

http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/05/19/internet_searching_graduates_to_classroom.htm
http://www.educause.edu/LibraryDetailPage/666?ID=ELI7014
http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/cda/article_print/0,1983,BDC_2448_4733634_ARTICLE-DETAIL-PRINT,00.html
http://blog.wku.edu/~terry.elliott/?p=34
http://its.noctrl.edu/updates/msg00448.shtml

Another potential hobby job for them, and for students I know who are skilled web searches would be working for a service like ChaCha. This site was written up on the SearchEngineWatch blog:

Brad Bostic, co-founder of ChaCha, said that the site had lined up about 2500 guides at launch: college students, retirees, stay-at-home moms and others “who are online all day anyway.” But not just anyone can become a guide apparently; you have to be “sponsored” (invited by an existing guide) and work your way up a hierarchy consisting of four levels.

New guides are considered “apprentices” and are matched with areas of personal interest and expertise. New guides also have mentors, more experienced guides who monitor their work. Apprentices cannot interact with http://blog.searchenginestrategies.com/mt-static/images/formatting-icons/bold.gif
Boldthe public initially and must pass several tests for speed, quality and accuracy. If they meet these requirements they become “pros.”

Pros then get the chance to interact with the public and will be paid (US$5 per “search hour”). After pro come two other levels: “master” and ultimately “elite.” Elite-level guides make US $10 per search hour. But once you become a master you’re eligible to earn 10% of what your “network” makes. Your network consists of those you’ve brought into the “ChaCha Underground” (the community of guides).

A skilled librarian would clearly make “Elite” status on ChaCha, eh? The “10% of your network” carrot could really pay off in such a situation.

Let’s take it a step further. What about this as side job for a skilled student in high school or college? Heck, I worked some horrible jobs in college that would make leading a cadre in the ChaCha Underground look like a day in paradise