Learning communities, why what, with whom en how

1. Learning Networks Angelica Senders ICCO F2F September 30, 2011

2. Learning Communities WHY/ Objective Improve practice Action oriented Start with questions not knwoledge WITH WHOM? Members share same/similar practice and domain of work Credibility (who says so?) Trust Reciprocity Leadership/ facilitation Linkages with other networks WHAT / type of learning Sharing horizontally amongst practitioners Input from expert (vertical) LC is not a training or e-course HOW Communication face to face (f2f) E-tools: Fast: interactive and informal Slow: depository for resources

3. The Private Sector Cooperation Learning Community Lessons learned on: Steps taken Web 2.0 tools used The process

4. 1. Steps taken Invite members and make Dgroups for communication (27 people registered) Identify needs and interest (e-survey) Create commitment (3 Skype conversations for agenda setting) Presentation round on experiences (Dgroup) Case analysis in 4 groups (Skype and e-mail) Create depository for resources (wiki); Upload the 4 cases (Burkina Faso shea, Albert Heijn Foundation, Bio fuel Kenya, BDS Kyrgistan) Plenary e-discussion on cases planned Introduction of new tool (Yammer) to make e-tools ‘more fun’

5. 2. Web 2.0 tools used Dgroup Not very attractive, difficult to make a discussion thread. If there is a lot of traffic it is easily perceived as spam 2. Skype Oral communication contributes to people getting to know each other (more then the email) 3. Wiki Potential to be a depository of experiences People need to learn how to use it 4. Yammer Have potential to make e-tools ‘more fun’ Will become the primary communication channel of the LC PSC

6. 3. The process Successes E-survey for needs assessment Skype sessions for agenda setting and ownership The presentation round of the members Work in small group was a good idea leading to concrete results very productive. The level of the discussions was high. Less successful During the case work the Dgroup was very silent and not all members had registered for sub-groups Time planning: people are busy so all phases took longer then expected

7. Yammer This is fast and informal communication channel Looks like Facebook and Twitter In a closed community You will receive an invitation in you e-mailbox, accept this invitation Open Yammer https://www.yammer.com/ Sign in (make an account) Login Read your messages on the Yammer of this LC React on them by using ‘ reply’ ‘Like’ some messages Go to your account and change the notification settings

8. Wiki The wiki will be used as more permanent depository for: Information/ literature ICCO Alliance Policies/ guidelines Case descriptions/lessons learned Go to your wiki account (or make one) Use the Compart toolbar to open a wiki, or install the toolbar via this link: http://compartflowers.ourtoolbar.com/ Go to a wiki of your choice, Request access if necessary Leave a comment on a wiki Edit a page (do not forget to save) Useful flowers (=wikis): FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Actual time at ICCO offices Use ‘search’ function to look for a wiki

9. Dgroups Dgroups is an email list, email are received in your inbox reply via mailbox Emails and attachment stay at the Dgroups website Where to find the website Dgroups login http://dgroups.org/ Search via Google or via the compart toolbar If you do not have this toolbar on your computer you can install it via this link: http://compartflowers.ourtoolbar.com/ Exercise: Go to Dgroup Go to ‘your’ LC (if you are already member of one, e.g gender and Human rights Look at the discussion and the library Click on ‘account’ Change the notification settings