Social Learning Environments and Educational Outcomes

UniSA Idea Generation Summer School (#summerschool)

Background

There are many different learning styles found within one classroom. Quite often students know what type of learner they are because someone has told them, or they figured it out for themselves and they engage best in these class types.

The social learning environment is a place where individuals can work and learn together collaboratively (both formally and informally) with others – in course groups, study groups or in project and team spaces. The virtual learning environment is designed to enhance a student’s learning experience by including computers and the Internet in the learning process.

The creative thinking framework or Idea Generation process (that Ron Corso lectures UniSA students in) unearths the imaginative capacities that all humans possess and have used since the beginnings of time, to change our world and our lives for the better, in ways that give us an understanding and a framework for the creation and sharing of new ideas.

Currently, virtual learning is popular through online colleges like those found on Online University or through university extension programs. These programs have found successful ways to implement technology to further educational gains and promote communication in the online environment. UniSA Idea Generation and other educational pioneers are working to integrate these successes with other teaching methods.

Combining traditional lecture methods with a social and virtual learning environment enhanced the UniSA Idea Generation Summer School in many ways and a report is currently being written to explain the principals and methods used and the results obtained. In this instance Ron lectured with Charlie’s support, and Charlie managed and facilitated an online collaboration and exploration of ideas past the realms of the traditional classroom scenario.

Here’s a introduction to that report:

Principles

The UniSA Idea Generation program has been taught for many years now. Its course aims are to take on board many disciplines such as design, architecture, marketing, business, and event management, to teach a creative way of thinking that will help students:

1. Decrease their inhibitions,
2. Encourage creative thinking behaviour
3. Gain knowledge of the creative thinking process, and to
4. Generate practical ideas.

The UniSA Idea Generation Summer school classroom took on board the new collaborative methods of combining both the social and virtual learning environments to enhance learning.

Methods

“Facebook Pages help educators join the conversation, share their stories, and build a meaningful dialogue with their audience.” ~Facebook

By using the Unearthing Ideas Facebook Page, we tapped into an existing network or community of people, on a platform where we assumed over 80% of students would have access and an understanding of how to use. The Facebook Page itself had grown to over 400 members since its inception, coming from the university community, the broader Adelaidian community, as well as many professionals and creatives who are based worldwide.

Facebook Pages really come to life when people engage and have conversations. Messages can reach a broader group of people who like, share, or comment on posts. This then creates an instant online social and virtual learning environment that reaches a broader community for engagement, essentially taking the classroom to the world for mentoring and further knowledge and contribution.

Our methods encompassed using Notes – for more formal discussions, wall postings, images and photo albums for more general conversations. All students and members of the Unearthing Ideas Facebook Page were encouraged to post and comment.

~end (as we continue to complete he report)

… in the meantime, Charlie has been accepted into Jane Hart‘s Social Learning Environment Network for further learning and knowledge sharing.

The (online) Unearthing Ideas initiative brings together the fields of creativity and social media to engage the creative capacities inherent in all of us. What we are interested in as much as final outcomes, is developing an understanding of the creative process which we hope the conversation will reveal. In so doing the site will build people’s ability to engage and create new ideas through having the confidence that they have a contribution to make. As such we want to take creativity and the ability to be creative out of the realm of the ‘specialist’ and into the hands of everyone. ~Ron Corso and Charlie-Helen Robinson.

Related articles

• Unearthing – Facebook (unearthingideasconsultancy.wordpress.com)

Work/Project Focus:: Website Re-Development, Content Expertise

Online Communications Copywriter, City of Tea Tree Gully

Portfolio Example

The online environment needs to cater for a variety of audiences, as it provides a single entry point for all information publically available to the wider community or stakeholder group(s) for that business or organisation.

As the (contracted) Online Communications Copywriter, Charlie’s role included working with departments and teams within Council to (understand needs and requirements and then) write content for the external website during the webite redevelopment project.

For this project our first step was to establish a written tone for each audience group. It was determined there were two audiences, business and community. Note: it is acceptable to use different written tones within a website.

Community members will accept this concept as it is essentially the same as living and working within a local area. In one instance they are “Mr Citizen of local home street address” and in the next they are “Mr Citizen, shop owner”.

The business audience will seek information which can be legal in nature requiring a more formal tone. The community and/or youth audiences, will refer to those who seek information from council such as servicesand information requiring a more engaging tone.

 

When writing…

When writing content for online, faster lifestyles, social media and a tech savvy public all have impact on what users/readers expect. At all times the online style should reflect the overall brand and style of corporate policies, with consideration to its environment uniqueness. It is and was important to consider first the online reader to ensure the conveyed message addresses what the online reader needs to know or what impacts them first.

For example (specifically for this project) “They will empty and remove your split bin on your last scheduled collection day in April” could be rewritten as “On your last scheduled collection day in April, they will empty and remove your split bin”. This change brings the word “your” into the second position – quickly raising awareness the reader is impacted.

When writing content it is important to remember the online reading environment is different to that of a hard-copy printed publication. Therefore, it would not be accepted to turn a printed publication’s text into an online content page verbatim. Some rework and editing is required and mandatory. Current trends (as at 2011) indicate online readership prefer:

• Long page titles
• Long pages
• Short paragraphs
• Short sentences

When writing content it is good to use an editorial strategy to define guidelines by which all online content is governed: values, voice, tone, legal and regulatory concerns, user-generated content, and so on. This practice also defines an online editorial calendar, including content life cycles.

So, to share some specifics that I used for the Council’s redeveloped website, here goes:

• The use of bullet points, thereby introducing “white space”, provides resting points for online eyes. The reader will read from left to right in a close sweeping motion, travelling down the page in a shape similar to an “F”.
• Waffling sentences can frustrate, encouraging readers to skim. Avoid adding unnecessary words (no baggage). Keep sentences short and to the point.
• Introduce the reader to the most important information or message at the top of your content. Your opening sentence will be read, and therefore will be the most crucial. This is particularly important for the new mobile reader. With mobile technology becoming far more prevalent in today’s market, the ability for content to be rendered easily and then easily read is of utmost importance. More so than the development of a proper mobile user interface.
• Consider search engines. Optimise titles, and your introduction paragraphs with consideration to “being found”. Just in case!
• Use one idea per paragraph.
• Use fly-out comments or highlighted text.
• Use images.
• Bold some text to grab the eye. This works well on long pages to ensure the eye travels.
• Engage the reader to review your entire article. Do not link to other websites, content or files within the body of your content. This will distract the online reader to do that action (ie go to the other website, download that file etc), rather than read your entire article. Provide an “attachments and links” or “reference” area at the base of the article or content section to provide the online reader with this information.

Have fun.

Work/Project Focus:: eCommerce Site Development

Project Manager, HomewaresDirect

Portfolio Example

CharlieDesign understood HomewaresDirect’s good reputation and strong position in the South Australian retail marketplace. One of the biggest challenges faced by a  company of this type is to create a popular space online that matches what is offered offline (ie bricks and mortar), however, this can be ensured through the resulting customer experience, dedicated service and positive reach (ie marketing voice). All risks were to be considered, all avenues explored and all challenges faced head on.

In developing this new online store the following items were analysed:

• Brand and reputation
• Technical & business specifications
• Budget
• Customer experience & service
• Content and stock management of website & merchandise
• Communications, marketing & PR
• Legal.

Reviewing instore processes and current business practices provides a foundation for the technical specifications (and expectations) to determine options and their associated budgets. The most challenging aspect to creating an online store is to ensure a smooth and easy interface with existing technologies and systems within the business ie EFTPos and stock or warehouse management solutions. Without this interface and/or full technical support, strong business administration processes are needed to ensure the brand reputation is not compromised (and it’s not ideal).

Any compromise has an onflow effect with customer experience and service also compromised. It is best to implement the best possible solution in the first instance rather than suffer later. It may take longer and be more painful to implement the solution, however you will benefit long term. The online store will require its own set of business guidelines, procedures, and controls to manage a vast array of tasks to make the sales and logistics process run smoothly. For example procedures will be needed for credit card processing (bank merchant & PayPal), delivery management and fulfilment. The online stores will also require ongoing content management and stock control. From an external user’s perspective ie the customer, content management simply involves ensuring the information provided through the online store is correct, up-to-date, consistent and accurate. This then has to be conducted in an ethical and legally sound way and so the online store must detail robust policies in regards to customer privacy, merchandise returns and other assoctaied disclaimers.

Once the online store is developed, implemented, deployed and launched, an ongoing communication strategy using a combination advertising, marketing, complimented by PR should be (and was) scheduled.

CharlieDesign successully project managed the development of the HomewaresDirect eCommerce website, using the following service providers:

• SysCap’s MINDER, the existing retail stock management system
• Plastyk Web Developers to create the store interface to MINDER
• ADAM Internet for hosting
• ANZ eGate for Merchant Bank services
• PayPal
• Australia Post eParcel solution for logistics

www.homewaresdirect.com.au

Initiative: OFFICEGroove

OFFICEGroove is a friendly co-working space for professionals in the heart of Port Adelaide. If you are a business startup or making the transition from home office to full workplace for business growth, this solution is ideal. For one weekly rental fee we get you into the office groove with a simple serviced solution.

OFFICEGroove believes your business is in our best interests and therefore we create an environment for networking, collaboration and success. We’re into your business in a big way. Let’s work together.

What you can expect:

OFFICE PACKAGE

• 24/7 building entry
• Clean office environment in a well maintained heritage building
• Dedicated desk with chair and cabinet
• Meeting room facilities
• Tearoom / kitchen facilities

NETWORKING

• Monthly Friday Drinks
• Business & Networking Event Awareness
• Local Event Awareness

Group discounts will be negotiable for two or more persons.

• Related articles: “Co-Working“

Work/Project Focus:: Contract Adelaide

Contract Adelaide

 

Communication Consultant

 

charliedesign was hired to provide expert assistance with an internal communications campaign for the implementation of a companywide software upgrade. the overall project’s goal was to change the day to day life of all staff. The initial strategy suggestion was to introduce social networking philosophies and branded marketing messages. On introduction and initial analysis, charliedesign assessed that whilst this project was well underway it was floundering. Staff opinion of the implementation and its associated team was low, with many promises previously left unfulfilled.

 

Whilst ICT management opposed, charliedesign recommended internal crisis communication techniques be used with a strong emphasis on information, facts and schedules only, with commitment to back schedules a key priority. charliedesign suggested that the introduction of foreign and unfamiliar communication styles and marketing “fluff” was an inappropriate method to reengage with staff. In fact we suggested it would be detrimental to the project’s success.

 

and so say all of us.

Work/Project Focus: Finlaysons and Corus People Solutions

Consultant.

Seminar Panel Member for “Thank Goodness You’re In!” : Opening the doors on the new HR role

Opportunity as “social media” panel member for the Finlaysons / Corus client seminar. The following is a summary of topics:

• Managing Internet use, social networking, unsafe practices, cyber bullying and tracking poor behaviour
• Managing workplace safety in the face of the new National OHS scheme and an era of personal liability
• Recruitment, remuneration and reward strategies that give you an advantage in a competitive job market
• The new legal framework to manage your staff, how the Fair Work Act is operating in practice
• How flexible does a “flexible workplace” have to be?
• Termination of employment – how is this working in practice?
• A review of the legal landscape for the past 12 months and predictions for the future

My focus was “Managing Internet use, social networking, unsafe practices, cyber bullying and tracking poor behaviour from the perspective of within a corporate environment”.

Whilst there was much discussions – even evolving into the areas of 9-5 v work/life merging and what to do about the kids, main areas of encouragement for the Senior HR managers in the room were to :

1. ensure your company code of conduct is up to date
2. dont shy from the responsibility of training employees
3. keep employees aware of proper conduct.

Work/Project Focus: UniSA

Consultant

Lecture

Opportunity to be involved with a Creative Thinking class. Provided students with two scenarios to consider, debate and evolve themes. Here they are:

SCENARIO ONE: global impact starts locally: engagement. each person has the ability to make change. how do we engage to get the real conversation happening. how do we make sure the ordinary person on the street has the ability to have a say, be heard, inspire, and make a difference? we speak of new rules of engagement. Engagement could be on sustainable issues, council dilemmas, etc

SCENARIO TWO: inside social networking: collaboration. since its inception corporate, professional groups and bodies have (typically) rejected social media and networking platforms. how do we establish a strong social network where we can interact and collaborate inside a corporate body without it being seen as ‘social networking” or “fluffy nonsense”. we speak of news ways to collaborate. Collaboration could be for knowledge discussion and transference, etc.

University of South Australia

Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
Art, Architecture and Design

http://au.linkedin.com/in/charlierobinson

Work/Project Focus: Contract, Brisbane

Contract, Brisbane

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Communications Lead

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charliedesign was hired to help with an internal communications campaign for the implementation of a company wide software upgrade. the overall project’s goal was to change the day to day life of all staff. small feat.

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i wasnt employed, nor was intended to strategise the “how” communications would inform staff of changes however, the project team lost their communications lead one week prior to go live. i was contracted within 48hrs and in brisbane working before i could blink. it was timely, im flexible and enjoy travel. simple solution. i was contracted to help implement the post go-live communications strategy already drafted and partly in-train. to keep things on track and to fully implement. easy.

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by day two of contract i had the sense the change management team were stressed and a tad unprepared but we made the best of the situation we could. there were system changes, business process changes and staff culture changes to tackle. the communications campaign had been written and was well and truely into implementation mode so the main focus for my role was to ensure actions from the daily “war room” (a meeting dedicated to hearing risks and issues from sites) were considered and completed. my skills for communications strategies was needed if things went off track ie risk mitigation (crisis).

.

it happened. communications went off track.

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within the first week of go live i had to draft and have endorsed a new communications plan for post go-live implementation. the reason being, it had been established that most staff on “sites” didnt read the emails being sent out by the communications team which had been the agreed main communication dissemination method! this in turn meant most staff didnt understand what was going on, didnt receive system information or know about training requirements and so on. this wasnt always the fault of staff – Some staff simply didnt even have an email address.

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this development had potential to seriously jeopardise a successful project. this was very much centric to staff (users) not understanding new business processes, new activities, and new resources needed for a successful implementation.

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so, i devised a new simple communications plan to create “tips for the day”. the plan ensured we disseminated via multiple channels being email, intranet and workplace posters, and we then created weekly manager briefing notes to ensure managers could communicate to their staff in their weekly catchups. finally, we made the intranet central for all resources.

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by week two feedback was far more positive and the “tip for the day” had turned into “tips” ie multiple per day.

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the contract was short but important.

-charlie

Work/Project Focus:: Social [Media] Butterflies

Social [Media] Butterflies

Inspirations to help people, experiment, have fun, demonstrate and also raise awareness about Social Media in South Australia. We are a collective of expertise from areas such as corporate, business, government, youth, home, sales, marketing and public relations. Each are unique, individual, talented and socially networked.

Social media is media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media can take many different forms, including Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, wikis, podcasts, pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking. Technologies include: blogs, picture-sharing, vlogs, wall-postings, email, instant messaging, music-sharing, crowdsourcing, and voice over IP, to name a few.

Aside from general commentary in topical areas, the group can also provide:

• Expert Advice, Research and Commentary – Strategic & Tactical Plans
• Legal Advice
• Recruitment Advice
• Tools & Resources
• Training

Read more about the collective here: socialmediabutterflies.wordpress.com

Work/Project Focus:: Dead Reds Wine Group

Dead Reds Wine Group

As the founder and owner of the DeadReds Wine Group – a group committed to unearthing great old wine and new experiences – all elements of social communication is put into action. The group is over 600 members strong, and has been active on Adelaide’s social scene since 2007, with other groups forming along the journey, in particular the Geraldton Group in Western Australia.

Read more about the group here: www.deadreds.com.au 

Charlie has now written a book about the experience titled “Unearthing“.

Twenty Twelve has seen the introduction of new experiences through wine tours, social gatherings and VIP dinners being organised. A general events list for South Australia is here: http://deadreds.wordpress.com/sa/wakes/ or you may check Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeadReds?sk=events or book immediately using Eventbrite: http://deadreds.eventbrite.com/

Thanks