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In developing the Online Mentoring Network we believe we also developed
a blueprint for building online networks and communities of practice in
general.
Please add your ideas.
Building Online Mentoring Networks and Communities of Practice
The purpose of this wiki is to outline some of the steps we took and strategies we adopted in developing the Online Mentoring Network.We also reflect on how we would do it differently next time and suggest some ideas and strategies for how we might better develop the network in the future.
Steps we Took
1. Decided on a purpose and vision
2. Set up tools for communication and trained people in how to use them
- Create an online presence for sharing resources- e.g. Edna group or team blog or wiki
- Electronic mailing list/egroup- Yahoo or Google groups (n.b. Moodle incorporates this in the News forum)
- Set up a community forum (Moodle forum or a group blog).
- Get participants to set up individual blogs or online journals and either subscribe to each other's RSS feeds using Bloglines or add friends to your friend's list in online journals.
- For internet telephony - get participants to install a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application such as Skype on their home and/or work computers and create an account.
- For text chat \226 Instant Messaging (IM) software such as Skype or MSN Messenger
- Get participants to set up flickr and del.icio.us accounts and nominate a tag for creating shared resources for the group.
- Agree on times and etiquette for contacting on Instant Messaging (IM) software and VoIP.
3. Set Group Activities
- Send out a regular newsletter
- Set regular times for synchronous communication using VoIP software (e.g.Skype) and virtual classrooms (e.g. Elluminate)
- Encourage members to give presentations
- Bring in outside presenters attached to a network to extend the network
- Seed discussions and journal/blog entries
4. Introduced strategies for facilitation
- Create a climate of shared leadership and co-mentorship \226 \223We are all teachers and all learners\224
- Reinforce and affirm participation
- Encourage interaction with friendly digital natives (invite teenagers!!)
- Create mentoring clusters to meet face to face in other locations
- Introduce and promote other networks and COPs (including networks we are part of)
Ideas for the Future
When forming the network/COP...- Establish the needs of the group
- ICT skills audit
- Survey group to find out computer access and internet access
- Survey group on most suitable times for synchronous meetings
- Send out form about how and when people want to be contacted \226 pro-forma
Building Community
- Provide an opportunity, such as a conference, to meet face-to-face
- Set up regular face to face meetings for a core group (if possible)
-
If possible, create opportunities for all members to meet face to face to celebrate achievements and have fun
Staff Development
- Set up or combine with training opportunities for staff
- Create a range of staff development options and formats both online and face-to-face
- Teach basic communication tools then introduce learners to the network
Sponsorship/networking/funding
- Look for opportunities to build partnerships (esp. education/industry)
- Join forces with any existing providers of staff training or educational innovation
- Invite known innovators to join or present
- Get the support of at least one manager
- Tap into the knowledge and expertise of retired educators/managers
- Get the support of at least one IT colleague
- Connect with other networks
- Collect and publicise success stories
- Showcase the network and the training to managers in half day bursts