How to create working groups on the Community Site
Description: This article takes you through creating working groups and the content for them on the Community Site, supplying tips for a successful post.
A working group is to allow users with a shared interest or objective to collaborate online with one another. To set up a working group contact communications@teachfirst.org.uk
You must subscribe to a working group via your user dashboard before you can add content.
You can add two types of content to a working group.
1. Discussions
You can share opinions and ask for feedback by adding a discussion. Only members of the working group can comment on a discussion topic.
Within a discussion you can add media (photos, audio and video) and files – such as word documents, PDFs and power points.
Discussions can be private (just for members of the working group) or public (visible to all users on the community website).
2. Polls
You can measure opinions amongst the community – or just your working group - by adding a poll with a fixed time for responses.
Members of the working group will be notified when a new poll is added.
Polls can be private (just for members of the working group) or private (visible to all users on the community website).
Commenting on content in a working group:
You can add comments to the group home page and discussions. Unlike other areas on the community website, you can add media (images, audio and video) and format your comments. If the content you are commenting on is public, your content will also be visible to the rest of the community online.
Top tips:
1. Link to other areas on the website
Don’t hide useful information away in a working group. If you have a resource that might be helpful to others in the community then add it to the library and link to it within the working group.
By commenting, updating the home page or adding a discussion, draw attention to advertisements, blogs and events that are located in other applications, but are of particular relevance to your working group.
2. Generate discussion in a working group
Working groups are spaces for collaboration – so be clear what you would like people to contribute and signpost people to content that will help achieve the group’s objectives.
If you start a discussion try to outline three or four key questions you’d like members to answer or comment on.
Polls are a great way to start discussions – the results can be used to enquire further into opinions and experiences. Add polls regularly and encourage your members too.
Perhaps identify two or three group ‘champions’ who will keep an eye on discussions, helping to stimulate activity where needed.
3. Keep the momentum going
Content must be added regularly to a working group – if content or comments have dried up you may want to consider whether the objectives of the group have been already been achieved and it is no longer needed, or how else you might be able to encourage members to engage with the group.
Welcome new members – send them a message or email to say hi and find out what they’d like to get out of the group.
Comment on new discussions – recognising the contributions of others is a vital part of keeping your working group on track.
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