Constructing an effective online learning environment is dependent on the implementation of a practical, yet comprehensive process of investigating, planning and applying group processes (People, Objectives, Strategy) and the ‘marketing’ of the learning space (Technology/tool).
POST Strategy - Li & Bernoff (2007)
To fully utilise the benefits of social media in my school context, I need to develop clear ideas of why social media would make a difference, how to implement it and what I want it to be able to achieve. The success of any new strategy is dependent on connecting with the people involved and knowing their need and social networking experiences. The success of the pilot project (Assignment 1, INF506, September, 2011) hinged on meeting the need of a target group, harnessing individual and collective capacity and enlarging it to meet the greater need/purpose of the group. It has been exciting to hear requests from teaching colleagues at my school advocating for the continuance of the PLN after the pilot project – clearly indicative of common purpose and commitment level.
Continuation of the PLN group will require consideration of the following:
1. Collaborative discussion and decision making about continuation of a PLN (Why? – Clear purpose) who will be involved and what SM platform will be used. See – POST – ( Li & Bernoff, 2008). Need to understand the environment to optimise implementation (Brown, 2009).
2. Utilising the knowledge of users and their social media usage experiences (Li & Bernoff, 2008). The re-evaluation of group need, the rewarding of participant contributions (Conversationalists, Critics and Creators) and mentoring their efforts (Richardson & Mancebelli (2011) are all important contributing factors to the further success of the PLN group.
3. Consideration and outline of the type of activity needed on the site, the activity frequency and ways to evaluate success of implementation phase. Consider time allocations for the project – too much time spent will affect other initiatives, too little time will be insufficient to keep the community growing and the content/ approach ‘fresh’, interesting and relevant.
4. Ensure that Leadership are supportive and that staff are positive about being involved. “Mandatory” involvement will affect ‘buy-in’. Teachers need to see that being involved will benefit them and their students.
5. Promotion – Dynamic engagement is a requisite for successful marketing of the ‘service’. Need to use opportunities for conversations, discussions, sharing in staff meetings, emails, pointing to the site and benefits of participating.
6. Evaluate the development of the learning community at regular intervals. Routine measures of success are necessary – engagement, evidence of action or increased membership. Implementing modifications to marketing strategies as necessary.
Participatory engagement in Communities of Practice is facilitated by the use of social networking technologies. Whatever the chosen technology, considered and informed processes for successfully ‘marketing’ and implementing new initiatives are necessary to ensure optimal engagement.
References:
Brown, AL. (2009). Developing an Effective Social Media Marketing Strategy, in Salt Lake City Social Media Examiner (30 July)
Bernoff, J. & Li, C. (2010) Groundswell excerpt,http://www.forrester.com/groundswell/assets/groundswell_excerpt.pdf
