18th & 19th May – training blog

Thank you to everyone who attend the Social Media training course held on 18th &19th May. I had a fantastic time meeting each of you and learning about your organizational aspirations for using social software. Also exploring solutions to challenges in integrating social software into your everyday practice.

A big “thank you” to J. Dekelver, J. Hecke & S. Schurnans whom travelled from Brussels to attend the course. It was superb to learn about your and other europeans youth organisations practice in using social software. Thank you for your presentation on the INCULSO project: http://www.incluso.org/

Aims to deliver a verifiable proof that ICT, and more precisely, social software tools, can facilitate social inclusion of marginalized young people.

There is invitation for Youth Practitioner & Managers from the UK to attend:

International conference on eInculsion of Youth at Risk – 13th & 14th Sep’10

There is no entrance fee for the conference -Leuven (Arenberg Castle, Heverlee-Belgium)

Gathering international specialists in the field of social software use and improvement of social inclusion for disadvantaged youngsters. We expect also delegates from decision making groups such as governments and the European Commission.

Evaluation feedback from people who attend the OCN Level 2 Social Media Training course for Youth Practitioners & Managers (18th & 19th Mayʼ10)

“Iʼd like to thank Katie for running such an excellent course – sheʼs funny, engaging, make the subject totally alive & relevant, challenges your preconceptions and makes you really think about the risks & opportunities.

Excellent Training superbly delivered – I had a lot of expectations of these 2 days, and was not disappointed.”

Experiences that I enjoyed or valued from the training:

Opportunities to network & share good practice – shared learning is a powerful thing.

Will use Johariʼs window game and use at next staff meeting I enjoyed the group discussion and exploring the ethical consideration of different online interactions with young people

Great resources – gave me the opportunity to really feel that I the practical tools to create change in my workplace

Great resources, love the theory and practice ideas

The general discussion of experience among the group; opportunities & challenges

How I am thinking differently about using social media within my practice:

Developing a strategy rather than groping in the dark – thinking about how I can develop lateral communication & opportunities. Auditing current social media practice.

The importance of having clear guidelines and understanding of how young people use of social media.

Even more potential than I thought, itʼs happening anyway, with us or without use.

Thinking how we can do more to promote positive use of SNS within our projects to enable more participative monitoring/evaluation and modernize our work.

What I what to explore further:

Blended facilitation- learn how to better integrate online & offline activities/dialogue.

Using google maps and survey monkey to enhance my work Policy & protocols, need to create risk assessment for current social media work.

What helped my learning:

The safety online template/framework, the session on moderating/interpreting online dialogue.

Clear learning objective, good handouts and signposting to further reading.

Practical experience, then linking that to theory & practice – networking.

Lotʼs of conversation – people sharing experiences, fun group! Practical activities.

What hindered my learning:

Time – so much content to work through, just about copiable. However good value for money.

Could some of the training by accessible online to allow more time on the day.

The course is demanding due to the content that needs to be completed, however, everyone actively participated and contributed in the group discussions and activities, thank you for not sitting back! However, this may have been to the vast amount of sweets consumed over the 2 days, sugar high! (fruit was also offered – to comply with ECM, healthy eating!)