Earlier this week, the WeAreMedia project we had an amazing phone call with some of the really smart people who are contributing the wiki (Michelle Murrain, Jocelyn Harmon, John Kenyon, Ben Sheldon, Ruby Sinreich, Amy Sample Ward, Sheetal Singh, and Katya Andersen). We discussed what was working so far, and what could improved as well as some ideas for the next steps. Most of them write blogs, so I hope they offer some thoughts on their blogs) and if you were not able to join the call, perhaps add your observations in the comments.
We have covered how to know if social media is a good fit for your organization, strategy mapping, meeting resistance, storytelling, engagement skills, and ROI on the wiki. What you will see on the wiki is a first draft -- we're in the process of learning while having the conversation and contributing to the wiki learning and collaborating in a networked way. That's messy, unedited, and can be hard to follow for those who just enter the process or are new to social media. There will be also be a community-driven editing process and a final "product."
The product is to edit and shape this community-created content in an edited, polished package f materials and a trainer's guide for a two-day face-to-face workshop. The product will also live on the wiki as more static content, it won't replace the community as curriculum process where learning can extended. For example, might be a place where participants in the workshop can ponder follow questions.
We are only 1/4 way into the project, so the next steps are:
- We've finished the "first draft" of the strategic modules and are looking for volunteers to help take them to the next level. During out meeting, we talked about the idea of doing the editing process in a more networked way. More information is here. Amy Sample Ward has already volunteered for one of the modules.
- We'll be continuing to roll out week by week tactical modules and in September will have a wiki event to create resources focused on the tools.(Prizes will offered too!) During the meeting, Jocelyn Harmon suggested a grid for this section. Read Holly's blog post "Let's Get Tactical, Tactical, Tactical"
- The notes from the August 11th Meeting are here
Some reflection questions:
- How to make it clear that anyone add or edit the wiki? Some people feel like they it is already "done" or don't have an easy way to jump in. Amy Sample Ward suggested reorganizing the how to participate section with time estimates for specific tasks. Ben Sheldon suggested adding tags to pages based on editing task or completion - so people could find "clean slates."
- How to balance community-driven with curation? How to allow for community input, but also keep in mind the product and quality issues.
- How to balance the needs of different learners (those that need the step-by-step simple linear approach and those who learn through conversation?) Sort of the balance between be expert driven instruction and constructvism or the line between training and learning.
- How to identify and do more case studies? We have had some examples and stories mentioned on the wiki, but still have some missing holes. For example, would love a case study about an organization that decided not to incorporate social media for a good reason. My blog probably isn't the place to ask for this :-)
What do you think?
Re: How to balance community-driven with curation?
This brings up an important and pervasive distinction, "Working" content vs. "Published" content.
Two points:
1. collaborative work thrives on both
2. they play different roles and require different skills
Working content is messy and, once you are into it, fun.
Published content is then pulled together and used to present the work to a broader public.
Readers of the Published content should have access to the Working content also, if they are interested in the inner workings
My 2 cents
more to say ... over beers :- )
Posted by: Robert | August 13, 2008 at 03:14 PM