Our online social workshops are not traditional, formal online courses, take a look here at how they run:

• Our workshops are designed to give just enough structure, without constraining personal and social learning.
• We curate what we think are the essential resources on a topic and also provide additional links and resources for those who are interested.
• We encourage all discussions to be done in the private workshop group area, so that people can learn from each other.
• We try to find ways to help each person as issues arise in the conversations. Without these conversations, we would not be able to help in an informed way.
• For those attending this workshop, the more they give, the more they will get.

During each workshops there will be a number of web-based readings that provide an introduction to the topic as well as some individual activities and group discussions. (The number depends on the length and type of the workshop).

• You can complete the assignments whenever it is convenient for you; there are no deadlines and none are compulsory.
• Your total time commitment should be about 3 hours per week, though there is the potential to do more more, should you so desire.
• You will have ongoing access to the workshop(s) you have participated in, for the foreseeable future.

FEEDBACK

Here is some feedback about our workshops from previous participants:

“Thanks Jane and thank you to the participants. The content and comments over the past month have helped me rethink a few things as I move forward. The format of the program was ideal. Although formal in the sense of a set direction it had the informal aspects of pulling on curated materials and contributions of others from the participants. The workshop placed emphasis on the social aspect of course and had a real constructiveness feel. Kudos to you Jane on your facilitation style. Clearly the expert in this area you have a real knack for being an ECM yourself; encouraging, offering insight but not direction, raising questions and offering opinion but not questioning or judging. I learned not only consciously from the contents of the workshop but more so subconsciously by being immersed in this experience.?

“The workshop lends itself well to people who are self-directed in their approach to learning.  If you want a workshop where you are lectured or directed and to be told what is right or wrong, black or white, then I suggest you look elsewhere.  Also if you are someone who likes to lurk and not contribute to posts because of uncertainty, then I’d say this would be the perfect opportunity to ‘break the ice’ and start contributing as it’s a safe environment as you’re among your peers. The workshop was akin to going on my own personal learning journey that started out with a rough map that was provided by Harold Jarche, our “facilitator”, curator and moderator but we all followed it in our individual ways to get to our own treasure at the end.  I’m sure that everyone who did the workshop had their own unique and individual learning journey which took them down a path where they made their own judgements and apply what they learned to their own work-based scenarios. Some may have found gold, others may have found just sand but regardless, it made them think, reflect and learn something for themselves on the journey.” Helen Blunden

“When facilitators/moderators help make connections in conversation threads, add content without getting in the way and encourage collaboration – as Jane and Harold are doing here – the conversation and learning can be far greater and more satisfiying than a f2f conversation. “ 

“There is a saying that “when the student is ready the master (teacher) shows up” and that is how I see this course.”

“Without any coherent strategy I often was not persistent in my undertakings. This course gave me an excellent opportunity to evaluate my position and to work out an appropriate approach.”

“I used a time tracking tool to get a feeling for how much time I spend on seeking, sensing and sharing … So reducing my seeking and spending more time sensing (converting things into high quality content) is my most important goal for the next few months.”

“Thank you very much for offering the programme and putting so much thoughtfulness and guidance into it. It has helped in substantially in formally getting my thoughts together for a new community and for helping me reflect on the existing community and how that came into being. The programme length was just about right for me in relation to work commitments”

“I have enjoyed this programme and it has really helped me realise how important planning and preparation is. I have lots of new terms and explanations that I can now use as evidence of good practice. I have also had time to explore different types of communities and see how powerful they can be.” 

“Jane, a big thank you for offering a stimulating and rewarding course. I have yet to complete days 9 and 10 but will be doing so in the next day or so, but I have gained much useful information from the course – not least how to facilitate an engaging online teaching and learning experience! And of course thank you to all course participants who provided excellent discussion and food for thought.”

“I’ve found these past 2 weeks incredibly valuable. I’ve been able to think through building our community site in a much more rigorous way that I would have on my own. I’ve also got tonnes of great reading (both lessons and external links) to continue poring over as well as some tangible ideas and next steps to build our community site. Thanks so much!” 

“This is a great workshop. Filled with opportunities to rethink and take control of your personal knowledge stream.”