Maximizing Impact with Online Communities

Amy Sample Ward, NTEN

Laura Norvig, NSRT

Tell Us About YOU!

• Why did you come? What do you want to learn in this session?

• If you are already working within a learning community/community of practice what is it about?

• What are some successes or challenges you have had with a community you have started or are part of?

• Where in your work have you seen a need for a learning community/community of practice where none exists?

Building Knowledge Sharing Networks

Picture of house building in progress

COMMUNITY-CENTERED DESIGN

Who's your community?

Where's the sweet spot?

Which tools can help?

What roles are needed?

BEST PRACTICE

Operate like a gardener, not a landscaper:

“The Gardener creates an ecosystem open to change, available to new groups, and full of fresh opportunities to emerge naturally.  The approach is focused on organic collaboration and growth for the entire community.  The gardener is simply there to help, cultivate, and clear the weeds if/when they poke up.”

Operate like a gardener, not a landscaper:

“The Gardener creates an ecosystem open to change, available to new groups, and full of fresh opportunities to emerge naturally.  The approach is focused on organic collaboration and growth for the entire community.  The gardener is simply there to help, cultivate, and clear the weeds if/when they poke up.”

No short cuts.

No short cuts.

No short cuts.

Know your community.

Know your community.

Know your community.

Strive to be replaced.

Strive to be replaced.

Strive to be replaced.

CASE STUDIES

Small, closed, few tools: • Training Officer COP• FoodCorps Wikis

Medium, semi-open, few tools: • VISTA Campus• Library Society of the World (LSW)

Large, open, many tools• Nptech community

http://www.vistacampus.org

3 min3 min.

2 hrs

One day

Knowledge Building in a Community is FUN!!

Humor

Just-in-time /practical

Professional development advice

Policy / legal knowledge /interpretations

Document Sharing

NPTech Community

Best Practices Summary

• No Shortcuts– Lead by example– Operate in public– Use feedback loops

• Know your community– Highlight leaders/contributors and make connections– Stick to your defined role, give others space to grow– Make mistakes, evaluate, iterate

• Strive to be replaced– Encourage interaction that doesn’t rely on you– Reward and spotlight leaders– Explicitly share your tools and strategy so others can replicate

RESOURCES

Links from this presentation:

• http://amysampleward.org/2010/05/07/guest-post-on-online-community-report-sustainable-community-building/

• http://amysampleward.org/2009/08/06/online-community-building-gardening-vs-landscaping/

• http://amysampleward.org/2011/01/20/diy-community-engagement-metrics/• http://amysampleward.org/2011/05/18/crowdsourcing-vs-community-sourcin

g-whats-the-difference-and-the-opportunity/

• http://socialbysocial.com • http://amysampleward.org

CREDITSSlide 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/copelco/5743878770/

Slide 5: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagthenoggin/19325231

Slide 6: http://www.flickr.comphotos/rtadlock/3055707715/

Slide 9: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivanwalsh/3677282034/

Slide 10: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jareed/4644005084/

Slide 11: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenobia_joy/2708679303/

Slide 13: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cesarastudillo/158254288/

Slide 14: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinvanmourik/2873195670/

Slide 15: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78428166@N00/3868167989/

Slide 16: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rene_ehrhardt/2391554020/

Slide 17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaaronfarr/666261449/

Slide 18: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0les/4163976843

Slide 19: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fernando/304012148/

Slide 20: http://www.flickr.com/photos/furryscalyman/312210315/

Slide 43: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiddedevries/599606659/

GAMEPlaying the Social by Social game for

Community-Centered Strategy

1. Circle up in groups2. 4-part grid

3. Lots of questions and conversation4. Sharing with the whole room

Who's your community?

What is the sweet spot?

Which tools could help?

Tools• Email discussion group• Email newsletter• Twitter• Google apps• Delicious• Skype• Online dashboard (e.g. netvibes)• Wiki

• Flickr• Video and audio• Project management online (e.g.

Basecamp)• Project blog• Online Voting• Online maps

• Online community (e.g. Ning)• Mobile messaging• Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook)• Your idea

What roles are needed?

Roles• Social media strategist• Project manager• Community manager• Admin support• Social reporter• Tech mentor• Tech developer• Key contributors

• Your idea

Share!

Thanks - Keep in touch!• Amy Sample Ward

amy@nten.org@amyrswardnten.orgamysampleward.org

• Laura Norvig@lnorvig and @serviceresourcewww.nationalservice.gov/resources