How to use and build online communities

Janet Thomson, Executive Director, SchoolNet SA

2 - 4 July 2012 www.educationweek.co.za 1

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Evolution of an online model

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For teaching qualifications in ICT integration

Same model – the tools changed

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Communities of practice

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Tools for collaboration Platform agnostic

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HEIs and CCTI qualificationBahamas – Trinidad and Tobago – Grenada - St Vincent and the Grenadines – Antigua and Barbuda

Hosting CCTI in Moodle: •University of the West Indies •Antigua Teacher Education Faculty

•University of the Free State - NQF 7/8/9

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Training of tutors • Tutors must encourage – and reply to all - be

consistently available, proactive, in touch, interactive, always answer questions, be full of enthusiasm and

most of all - they must CARE

• Tutor feedback to be visible to all – helps all

• Train tutors in the model they are going to use

Facilitating online: A course leader’s guide, Tony Carr, Shaheeda Jaffer and Jeanne Smuts, 2009, Published by the Centre for Educational Technology, UCT

Experiences – building trust

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Warts an’ all`Brazil – World Cup – national anthems

Cyclone emotional supportSkype

Virtual – and face to face

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SchoolNet Premium Membership Programme

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Tools to support community

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Can be used for staff development – chat roll - not necessarily synchronous - can access later

Can be used for staff development – chat roll - not necessarily synchronous - can access later

Great for sharing online projects – for teachers and learners – combine with blogs - share feedback

Great for sharing online projects – for teachers and learners – combine with blogs - share feedback

Been held in Cape Town, Durban and Joburg - so far – exciting to meet face to face for the first time

Been held in Cape Town, Durban and Joburg - so far – exciting to meet face to face for the first time

Curates resources in 1place: 100 views/day Curates resources in 1place: 100 views/day

Webinars

Wikis

Teach

Meets

SchoolNet Blog

Sustaining the community

• Communities are not managed they are nurtured

• The tutor/ facilitator should shape and fade

• Tutors must CARE – give a personal welcome

• Respect views of participants

• Demonstrate good practice – ask questions

• Trust and sense of belonging

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Thank youwww.schoolnet.org.za

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