Online Group Organizer - Why Use One for e-Learning?
Internationally, inconsistencies can be found in terms of educational
content, methods of delivery, and quality. Such differences are created by
factors such as education policy, geo-location, cultural traditions, and socioeconomic
conditions. Over the past decade, governments have realized that in this
digital age and competitive global marketplace, one of their greatest natural
resources is human intellectual capital. Many top-down education initiatives
are being implemented to strengthen this resource, but much of the initiative buy-in
and educational evolution will need to occur at the grassroots level. This is
where online group organizers come into action. These web-based tools enable local
educators, leaders, and self-motivated individuals to create communities of
changing that attract education advocates, volunteers, and other like-minded
people. Through these systems, participants are typically organized and managed
online, but they meet, interact, plan, and facilitate change in-person. Organizing
and administering one of these groups and associated events is an excellent way
to establish and support efforts that advocate positive change in education.
Online Group Options
There are several players in this field, but I find GroupSpaces, BigTent, and Meetup to be the most
appealing. GroupSpaces offers free and paid plans, BigTent is free, and
Meetup is paid only.
These providers and others present a range of basic services
such as calendars, file sharing, forums, group emails, and public-facing
webpages. Other options where many providers start to differ, and that you may
want to consider as decision points, would be photo sharing, event specific
services, social media links, subgroups, and file storage.
Setting Up Your Group
Even though each service is slightly different, here are
some general points to consider in setting up your group:
- Select your area of interest and then do your research to find out what type of individuals might be interested in your group and what topics would attract them.
- Have a few photos ready, at least one of you and one that represents your group.
- Sign up with your service of choice and create a personal profile.
- Search around and see what type of activity is already happening within your area of interest. Search for keywords that relate to your field. Don’t let competing groups control your ambitions. Pursue your interests and be good at it.
- Consider that keywords or tags that describe what your group is about or hoping to accomplish.
- Craft a clear brief description that explains exactly your group’s purpose, giving potential members a clear idea of who should join and what to expect. If done well, the description will enable people to understand what type of community and conversations you hope to develop.
- Create the group, providing the location, name, description, etc.
- Select the pricing plan (if available).
Grow Membership
To get more members to join, and if you think you’re ready,
schedule your first meeting. Don’t immediately host this event, but rather plan
for it to occur about a month after you start your group. Contact friends,
associates, and organizations that you think might have an interest in the
group. Announce it through your social media and networks.
The First Meeting
This means knowing when and where it will be. Usually this
is at an open public space such as a coffee shop, park, or other local
gathering place. Keep the first event simple, serving mainly for introductions
and open conversation. Pay close attention, both analyzing the audience and
learning individual interests. Make the members feel as a part of the process.
Meeting Format
The members typically meet, network and talk over drinks and
light snacks. In certain locations these can be provided through the group or
in others they can be purchased onsite by the individual attendees. Often there
is an invited guest speaker or a panel discussion to stimulate interest and
attendance.
Meeting Venue
The place to meet will depend upon the size of the group.
The key is to find someplace free. Most establishments that sell food and
beverages will be open to hosting a group of people, but be sure they can
provide a dedicated space. Based upon available capacity, set a limit to the
number of people who say they will attend and then create a waiting list. In
more widespread rural settings, select a place that is most convenient for the
group members.
For the Meeting
The day of the meeting, if you are meeting at a business
establishment, contact them to confirm that they're prepared. Bring an
attendance list, sign-in sheets, blank name tags and markers. Have people put
their name, interest, and specialization on the name tags.
Ongoing Social Media Connections
In addition to maintaining communication through the online
group service, other social media channels can be used to maintain community,
networking, and conversations. The choice will depend upon the type of group,
whether casual, professional, or somewhere in-between.
Funds
Usually these groups operate very well with no group cost. If
there are costs associated with meetings and other operational expenses, these
can be paid by the organizer, sponsors, membership dues, or event fees.
Sponsors
Getting sponsors is a way to help fund meetings and to make
them more professional at times. Sponsors can come from within the membership,
a local industry or a business.
Reflection Point - Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes
a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. ~ Vince
Lombardi
