All three of them are very interesting to have on Shareworks. Not only because all of them will be generating very inspiring and cool projects on Shareworks, but also because these projects courses where already done partly online. They already had a so called ‘blended learning’ approach. Which makes the transformation to Shareworks a lot smoother.

We are learning a lot from these pilots already and so far everything goes very well. And though Shareworks Pilot Platform is still an experimental setup, the students already seem to be using it like they have used it for ages. More about this soon! Shareworks is really beginning to get more traction in recent weeks. Which is a good sign! I will try to post a bit more frequent as of now.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHhxSmp4NUI2YmFXeEJ5M1dFekxRNEE6MQ

The QR code lets people add contact details, without having to type it on the darn screen, using a vCard. I also thought about having the QR Code link to a mobile webpage. Which gives you more options and flexibility, while keeping the QR code small. But for the first round of business card… we keep it simple. Hope it won’t be to expensive to do the cutting by machine, else I will have to do it myself… ;b

Though we did not really had the time, we still made the two page entry. Mainly because it is nice to test the idea compared to all the other entries. And it is actually a nice challenge to write a two page plan of your business. Bringing such a focus really helps keeping a clear vision of where you want to go. I can tell you it is much more fun than writing a white paper… which i am working on too! Luckily the topic is the same everytime: Shareworks ;D

If you like to read our New Venture entry, send us a mail! Fingers crossed for the first award ceremony 17th of november!

This new homepages should put Shareworks better on the map, while we continue developments of the platform on www.litit.nl.

Graduation Assignment (Draft Version)
Shareworks: A Networked knowledge sharing platform for within the TU Delft

Introduction
An increasingly important part of the TU Delft is valorization of innovation driven projects. These projects are often a long, iterative and multidisciplinary process. In a knowledge intensive environment such as the TU Delft, these projects are happening by thousands of people. But who does what and where exactly? And which projects have the potential to be realized? There is no existing service available that will make it easy to share or search projects and expertise within the TU Delft. Especially for students or PhD’s, the university campus is a complex, hierarchical, and fractured environment. Why is this a problem?

• It is very difficult to start (multidisciplinary)collaborations in an early stage
• Available expertise is difficult to find
• There is a gap between disciplines/faculties
• Staying motivated long enough is very difficult
• Inspirational projects or opportunities are not easily broadcast

“ Knowledge sharing is considered a critical step for successful knowledge management (KM). To remain competitive in the marketplace, organizational knowledge and expertise must be shared (Gold et al., 2001; Zack, 1999). Therefore, knowledge sharing activities are an indispensable component in KM processes (e.g., Alavi and Leidner, 2001; Davenport and Prusak, 1998; Gold et al., 2001; Goodman and Darr, 1998).”

A networked knowledge sharing platform can lower these thresholds to become more effective and competitive in the realization of innovative products and services for society, science or industry. The core concept of such a platform has been created during an international student project from February until July 2011, called Shareworks.

“Shareworks can become the online networking platform for the TU Delft. Creative students, teachers and research groups can easily exchange project information, just with who they want. To get support, feedback or exposure for their projects. ”

The very basic, core elements of such a platform are already in development. (see image below) This graduation will be about developing the platform as a whole. Focussing on the user interaction perspective. The goal of Shareworks is to become a TU Delft spin-off in 2012 and license the Shareworks platform to creative organizations in the educational sector.

The Test: Too many connections!

The test was really a jump in the wild. And that was perhaps clear for you ;D. We invited a few people to have a look at the platform. It is very useful for us to get some feedback about it. And we would like to see how the website would behave. We found out that the website hosting could not handle the amount of connections! Since we didn’t invite a lot of persons, i cannot imagine the amount of visitors was the problem. Probably the database settings need to be improved.

It was annoying though, because the website was down for about 6 hours, just after we invited everybody ;D.  We could conclude that getting feedback by just emailing a few people proves difficult. Expert meetings with people in and around the TU Delft were more useful so far. We will keep trying though, because Shareworks is for students and by students.

Shareworks, The Movie

Then perhaps the coolest part. Sebastian made a very cool movie about the idea of Shareworks. The movie shows the highlights of Shareworks. We presented it during the final presentation, and everybody was enthousiastic. We will continue to improve it, so we can use it as the perfect explanimation movie, once Shareworks goes live.

Then the presentation. We did a powerpoint and poster presentation. I must say we made an attractive poster presentation. The poster was made in a couple of hours. But still it is on of the best I have ever made. It contains clear info for the short, normal and long term. Perhaps some text could be added to the features of the project.

Colombia

While typing this in the patio of our hostel, it is really hot… Even typing in the shower is almost too much.. We are now in Cartagena, the premier coast city of Colombia. We where in Medellin for about 10 days already and decided it was time to travel a little.  Thursday we will go to Santa Marta and visit golden beaches and talk to nature.. We are likely to go back to medellin. Since our flight back departures from there ;D But also because there is soo much to do still. And because of the hospitality and the parties of Medellin and our friends!

Hasta la Vista!

I must say editing Social Engine is something different. Good thing is that we have a platform! And we are making progress. Almost all key functions have to be improved, but we have something running. Im excited to see what you guys think of it in about two weeks.

Have your agenda ready for our Crash Test!

In about two weeks we want to do a ‘ crash test week’. From June 20 to June 25th we will invite a bunch of design students on the platform to try our Beta. We will ask for feedback. Ideas, bugs, random comments, complete businesss plans, every input is welcome! If you want to be part of this, contact Shareworks.

1. Cloud Services Integration

Shareworks will not be another social network or a standalone collaboration tool. It will be an integrating layer on top of proven internet solutions. This ensures a functional and user friendly ecosystem, tailored for design students and with low development costs.

2. Mobile Access

The platform is accessible through a website, but Shareworks will focus on the Shareworks App. Mobile networking will grow from 300 million now to 600 million in 2013. Besides the huge expected growth, a mobile platform also offers more functionality and flexibility. Students can use the App anywhere and at any moment. They can chat, exchange files and scan QR codes to easily interact with peers or friends.

3. Sharefolio

The Sharefolio is the first of two key elements of Shareworks. The Sharefolio contains all the design projects of a user. It is a dynamic online portfolio with unique features.

 
4. Design Profile

Each user will have a Design Profile, the second key element of Shareworks. These profiles contain dynamic tags. Some tags are composed manually by the user; others are automatically generated from data in the Sharefolio. Dynamic tags provide information about someone’s design disciplines, education, interests & skills and favorite creative companies or organizations. These tags make it easier for design students to find specific peers. Shareworks will use the Design Profiles to connect designers to specific design challenges, co-creation sessions, internships or full time jobs.

Next time i will tell more about the Sharefolio features individually… Do you like the cliffhanger here?? ;D

ciao Flip

“What is the key reason or benefit that will make design students sign up with Shareworks and share projects?”

Of course there are multiple reasons or benefits that can be addressed: Because they want to easily keep friends in the loop or to just for the sake of exposure for instance. www.dribbble.com and vi.sualize.us are both a sort of Twitter for designers. With simple screenshots you can share your design work with others. Together they get about 400.000 visitors each day! This proves to me that designers are open to share at least some of their work. I believe you just have to create the right environment. But sharing to stay in touch is perhaps not the strongest selling point.

So what is the key element?? I think it is this: Easily get project feedback from your peers.

How to stimulate feedback on design projects by other design students?

Here is a tip of the ‘Shareworks Innovation Iceberg’ ;D. Yes, on top is a QR Code. Not very innovative you would think… Those things seem to pop up everywhere now. And indeed, the technology is decades old in Japan.

But I think these sets of pixels are quiet powerful. The QR Code feature shows the goal to be reached: Connect design students to find each other, to see some of each others work. And in the end to support each other a bit. Perhaps it is best explained by this simple visual below:

The QR code will ‘connect’ the visual work of a user, such as a poster or a powerpoint presentation. Scanning the code will open a specific project page on the mobile platform. Making it easy for others to comment, save or  view the work better. Adding the QR code easily opens new opportunities and tools to sell their product or idea to the audience. And to turn an audience into a pool of support. And it enables the student to easily and informally indicate that feedback is welcome!