The "virtual" element
As more and more content on the internet is generated by its users, websites such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Myspace, and Basecamp have mushroomed both in popularity, and in credibility as legitimate sources of useful and relevant information, as well as rich forums for unrestricted social or professional networking. Web supported Learning Networks and Communities of Practice are an increasingly popular way of working, particularly where sharing and collaboration has the scope to benefit practice.
There are a number of traditional obstacles that could inhibit local and national progress in the implementation and development of the Getting it right approach:
- Technical restrictions - software, firewalls, email constraints, storage limits can be strict and can vary across organisations
- Geographical restrictions - practitioners Scotland wide
- Sector/Organisational restrictions - cross sector approach for all services supporting children, young people & their families
- Cultural/Professional restrictions - collaborative working can challenge professional/organisational "comfort zones"
- Implementing in partnership - striking the balance between national guidance and local ownership and sharing development simultaneously
It is hoped that the Getting it right Learning Community will help overcome the majority of these potential barriers to progress.
User Generated Content
Unlike conventional websites, the Learning Community worksite is an online (password protected) workspace - " owned", developed and populated by its users. In addition to reading and downloading, users are able to:
- Write in areas on the site (participate in discussion forums, add entries to the calendar, contacts directories & add detailed web links with notes)
- Upload content and documents to the site (completed or marked as draft)
- Edit content (depending on the information they are trying to edit)
- Set their own tailored email alerts - to flag new activity that's of interest
- Other features for future development include collaborative working folders, survey features (shared or private), task management & sub-sites
A Virtual Workspace
As the content on the worksite largely originates from its users, the onus is on the members themselves to give sustain its value and purpose - maintaining momentum through positive and honest participation, and by sharing the benefits of learning with peers out-with the formal community, as appropriate.
The worksite will shift and develop over time as members add to it and participate in online discussions with each other and national implementation progresses, but the Getting it right team will also be on hand to respond to development needs, and to support its users.
It should be noted that the Getting it right Learning Community will not be purely virtual. It is intended that members will also meet face to face in small or large groups - with the Scottish Government and amongst themselves - in seminars, meetings and workshops. The full extent of this will be continually reviewed in response to the needs of its members.