Update 28th August, 2009 Have just found this blog. There is also a free e-book related to free-technology available from the website.
Are you a supergeek service?
You know, the kind that goes around fixing up ordinary folks computers? Or ordinary folk bring their stuff to you? And sometimes their problems are hardware, but quite often is software?
Do your customers struggle with the new-fangled things like that friend-book thingy or that twitter stuff that they've heard about on the news or read in the local paper?
Is this you??
Here's an untapped market - PARENTS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
I reckon there's an invisible wall between home & school in relation to technology and learning. You could be the link. Be able to answer questions like:
1) which kind of computer I should buy on my limited budget.
2) I tried to save money and space on the mini-computer I bought, so i got Compare Office not Microsoft Word, how do I help my kids take their files between two softwares at home & school.
3) What's this blackboard thing about? (or whatever system is used in your community)
4) How do I help my child remember all their passwords? why so many passwords?
5) What's google docs? And other free-software? Should I use it? How do I use it?
6) How do they access email?
7) How do I connect to the internet?
8) What's a modem?
9) How do I keep my child safe?
10) What's a firefox?
See how mundane these types of questions are? Imagine all the learning that is being stifled because these questions are in the way?
You could easily answer those questions & be paid for it.
How would you do it?
* First, you need to get to know what teachers are doing in the classroom. Get around the education networks (#edchat on twitter for instance), know about moodle, edmodo, wikis etc.
* Second, get to know parents - their needs & gaps in their knowledge etc.
* Third, get yourself a parent/family client.
* Fourth, provide them with the BEST service ever, answer ALL the questions. If you can't answer a question, go and find the answer and get back to them.
* Fifth, call them up a week later & check how the family* is doing.
* Sixth, repeat.
I reckon Word-of-Mouth will keep you busy for a long time.
* Notice I changed from Parents to Families - technology (take-up & resistance) influences & involves the entire family. It impacts of family dynamics positively & negatively. Your great service can have a positive impact on individual families & communities.
Schools don't have time, teachers don't have time or the expertise (many teachers are still technology novices themselves), but you school super geek, could fill this gap.
So, if you want to be the SUPER-IST SUPER GEEK in your community, why not niche yourself to become my family's SUPER GEEK.
Remember: No school in Australia would be permitted to endorse you or your services, but official endorsement is not what you're looking for.
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