How does it work?

System function and features 
Infrastructure requirements :

We are making use of the popular platforms such as the array of Google tools and Facebook, which we believe will make it easiest for us to connect online via our pc's, laptop's, tablet's and smartphones. We plan on using the G+ Community and hangout features extensively. 

No additional or special equipment will be required and the system will remain free to use, providing an internet connection is available. Hangouts can be created by anyone and can host up to 10 participants on a live call that can be broadcasted to the world via YouTube. 

We believe that professionally established networks are be the most reliable way to keep in touch, and that they will serve as intuitive platforms for learning and collaborating online. 

Eventually, we could partner with local businesses or individuals who would be interested in installing and hosting wi-fi hot spots. We can gain insight in how to implement this by getting in touch with non-profits such as Une île sans file. 

Making use of the popular tools that are known to be stable and effective will make our community inclusive and intuitive for everyone, including people with disabilities.  

System Features 
We are introducing a new term to define our model - CommunitaGogy. Our model is open and inclusive and welcomes learners and educators of all ages and origins. 

Pedagogy is no longer a suitable term, as it implies the art of teaching or leading (male) children and knowledge being delivered "top-down." 

As we plan to offer quality learning opportunities for learners of all ages, the  term Andragogy is also inappropriate as it defines learning strategies that are geared towards adults. 

We want to move away from the notion of education being meant for a specific group of learners, as we feel that learning should be done in democratic groups which can span across age groups, genders and cultures.

We plan to use the array of free Google services already at our disposal to serve as the backdrop for meaningful and educational social interactions. 

Our model is based on the following assumptions:

• Everyone is interested in learning new things learn, however many learners wait for knowledge to be passed on to them. 
• Everyone has ideas that matter, but many of them are yet to be heard 
• Everyone has something to teach
• Everyone is curious, however not everyone is curious enough to build on their curiosity Simple ideas and discussions will motivate learners to pursue their interests. The more you know the more you want to know. 

We've considered the whole ecosystem. CommunitaGogy is based on the concept of communities learning together:

1) We want to encourage learners to take ownership of their education.

A lot of people are very interested to learn, however sometimes they do not find the right opportunities. The popularity of mooc’s is one very clear example that there are millions of learners out there, and we want to help learners connect with the right mentors and teachers.

2) We want learners to start by asking Questions

A lot of learning opportunities are based on a concrete program or model, however we want to encourage learners to discover their own topics, to ask any questions, to be open-minded and curious to define the subject of their interest.

3) We want to help learners to learn

We are not here to re-invent the wheel, we are here to promote learning, and to help each other find the way to go about the skills needed in the 21^st century, and by talking to each other, we can discuss about the tools that work, we can inspire and motivate each other to learn.

4) We want to include everyone. 

There is this misconception that people only learn while they are in school and that we can only assess their competencies with standardized tests. We feel that children can be the best teachers and that senior citizens can be wise mentors, and vice versa. To live is to learn and to learn is to live. It's time that we create opportunities for us to learn from each other. 

How Communitagogy or Teaching communities are Innovative 

• Inter-age learning and collaborating 
• web, cloud and mobile based
• geared towards digital learners
• Mentors and apprentices instead of teachers and students
• Teaching 21st century skills and integrating core subjects 
• Building networks - Helping people to make connections and work together.  
• Free, open and accessible to all
• Break down boundaries between nations and people. 
• Face to face hangouts 
• Real-time community
• Huge resource bank- which is ranked by members of the community.
• Ed-camp style approach - Everybody can teach or be a student. (Mentors and Apprentices) 
• World class lectures available for free with discussion circles afterwards. 
• On-going science fairs
• Virtual art galleries
• Virtual music classes
• Philosophy
• Problem solving
• We use existing social networks to reach people and engage them