The "D-Word" - a role model for online communities of practice

In the training world we often hear "communities of practice" or "learning communities" touted as a more effective method of "just in time" learning and mentoring. Yet very few organizations have figured out how to successfully create one that will last. Outside of a few education focused ones like "edutopia" most seem to languish, with very sparse attendance or contributions. Instructional design has been no exception. Amazingly, 15 years ago, before Facebook and Twitter, some visionary documentary filmmakers had figured out the formula. The "D-Word" is a thriving resource for this rapidly changing industry that should be a role model for anybody who wants to attempt such a community for their own field. I have used it as a sample of what best practices for those considering such an endeavor.

If you want to learn more click here for a short blog based on a paper I wrote in grad school. A key-takeaway is that, like almost any other training or educational endeavor, it will take time and money to make something effective and worthwhile. It is not just "build it and they will come". There really aren't any substitution for patient and continual attention by a "benevolent dictator " (in the words of founder Doug Block).

The D-word is currently seeking funds for a major upgrade. I have no doubt that their members, even though they are for the most part struggling artists, will be happy to reciprocate for all that they have received from the D-Word. Learn all about it here: http://d-word.com/page/15for15

Good summary about the limitations of online learning

Facebook somehow actually figured out something I'd be interested in recently - KQED's Mindshift Blog.  Recently they wrote a great post about the problem with MOOCs. I've repeatedly said that by $1500 3 credit course in "Adult Learning Theory" at UMBC could have been boiled down to one word:

"motivation"

It makes me wonder if the ideal scenario for most learning is a flipped model (recorded lectures watched at the students convenience) with the in-person sessions being used for conversation, analysis, synthesis, skills practice and keeping the learner motivated.

Internet forums ­ an imperfect example of informal learning

Internet Forums are simply online sites where people can have conversations on a variety of topics by posting and responding to messages.  “On-line bulletin board”, “message board” and “bulletin board” are often used interchangeably.  If well moderated, an internet forum can become a place where people from all over the world come together to share knowledge about their discipline or subject of interest – a true “community of practice”.  Friendships, professional connections and reputations are developed as well.  They can exemplify the best of informal learning. However, not all Internet forums are equally successful.  In this paper I will briefly touch upon the history of Internet forums and look into the different varieties that exist today.  I will discuss some of their limitations and focus on one called “D-Word” that I am familiar with and consider a very successful example.

Perhaps we could trace the true origins of “bulletin boards” to graffiti from the antiquities.  Centuries ago, paper was precious.  Newspapers were posted in public spaces so that members of the community could come together to read and discuss them.  Some newspapers inserted blank spaces so that readers could add their own comments for the person they would be passing the newspaper onto.  As paper eventually became more affordable for the masses, “bills” and “broadsides” could be posted where people were likely to see them. Bulletin boards made a central place to post and read information.

In the late ‘70’s and  ‘80’s computers gradually began to enter the home.  The first dial up Bulletin Board system (BBS) was started in 1978 when a Chicago blizzard stranded computer hobbyists Ward Christensen and Randy Suess inside.  People would dial into this and other bulletin boards on 1200 bit modems.  Many were run as a hobby, while others charged a subscription. Some were run by businesses to provide customer support.   Given the limits of the technology, they were basically limited to sharing software and text based information.

BBSs reached their peak usage in 1996, but declined rapidly in popularity with the World Wide Web.  Internet forums today are more robust, offering a place for people with any sort of interest a place to share information, ideas, images, movies etc.  Better search features allow people to take advantage of the wisdom of previous discussions.   People can learn and teach others in these communities at a time that works best for them.  The information they need is available when they can best make use of it. Some are geared towards hobbies, others towards various professional fields such as education and instructional design.   Subject matter ranges from art to zoology, and just about everything in between.

However, some forums fail to gain a critical mass of participants, and others are plagued by strife and discord.  “Trolls” are people who use the cover of anonymity to speak in an ill-mannered way or “flame” others.   Often posts or questions get no response.  The conversation dies and people become disengaged for various reasons.    In addition, informal learning is more difficult to evaluate and quantify.   Therefore it is harder to introduce into certain workplaces that are focused on immediately verifiable results.

One example of a very successful on-line community is called “D-Word”.  It was formed over 10 years ago by a documentary filmmaker named Doug Block, who started with a series of online journal entries “depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. It was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter.”  It evolved into a community of over 3,000 professional Members and 5000 “enthusiasts” from some 80 countries.    The hosts screen potential members to make sure they have some professional experience.   95% of applicants are accepted.

I am an activate participant in this community.  I have learned many invaluable things and been the beneficiary of incredibly useful advice about all aspects of the production and distribution of documentary films.  I have made friends from all over the world, several of whom I have met when they come to DC.  I have established a reputation of someone with expertise on web design and educational distribution.

An interview I did with Doug Block revealed that as the primary host and creator he sees himself as a “benevolent dictator with no entrepreneurial spirit”.    In the first years he spent about 2 hours a day on it, now it’s down to about one hour a day.  In addition there are 3 other co-hosts who also contribute.  He sees his primary role as keeping folks on topic and making them feel welcome.  In the early years he had to regularly be a more heavy handed “topic cop” to keep people focused on the sticking to the topic.  Now he’s more of a “light overseer”.  The “parking lot” is a special topic expressly designed to allow people to rant and rave.  Even gently suggesting to people that they take something “to the parking lot” often diffuses tensions.   In 10 years only 3 people have been kicked out.   Approximately 150-200 people participate regularly.  Doug thinks you get the most out of it if you check in every day.

Doug Block’s advice to anyone wanting to start an Internet community is: “People think it’s simple to start a virtual community but it’s not.  Be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort.  People don’t want to pay for it.  It will require strong motivated leadership – a benevolent dictator”.

It is my conclusion that in many educational endeavors there are often no shortcuts and technology is just another tool.   It often takes hours of preparation and effort for a teacher or trainer to pull off a good lesson or lecture.  Similarly, it takes dedicated hosts and facilitators willing to donate many hours to make an Internet forum truly flourish.  Improvements in technology will add new features to Internet forums and improve their search features. However, I’m skeptical that the necessary human element can ever be replaced.  Those of us who have volunteered for community groups know that it takes a cadre of dedicated volunteers willing to contribute much time and patience to form community.   The same applies for Internet forums.

REFERENCES:

¿ http://www.ewenger.com/theory/

¿ http://www.slate.com/id/2265214/

¿ Knowledge Is Power: The Diffusion of Information in Early America, 1700-1865 , Richard D. Brown

¿ WIKIPEDIA

¿ Doug Block, telephone interview 9/25/2010

Up in Air with ISD and George Clooney – #ISD

 As a person with a many pots on the stove, keeping up with the latest movies usually falls pretty low on the priority list. So I only recently saw “Up in the Air”, a wonderful take on life in a globalized world.  George Clooney portrays a man whose job has him flying all over the country on a continual basis.   He is kept busy by cowardly bosses who don’t have the guts to tell their employees themselves that their services are no longer required.    In these times, he might seem to be one of the few with job security.  However, a fresh faced young woman has recently been hired by the company.  She introduces the idea of reducing the  cost of doing business by firing people via web conference instead of in person.  Management is quite smitten with the idea and authorizes her to implement it right away.   In one scene she is shown making a flow chart type of diagram.   When Clooney’s character asks her what she’s doing she replies that she is making a flow chart of possible outcomes so that anybody can be easily trained to do his job.

What she could have said is that she was doing the design phase of ISD.  Of course, very few members of the general public would have understood that response since very few people seem to know what ISD is.  But that was indeed what she was doing.  George Clooney’s character was horrified by it, feeling that his work was too complicated and skilled for this approach and required a personal touch.   I won’t spoil the ending, but urge you to see “Up in the Air” for yourself.    This film was a refreshingly nuanced and compelling take on many aspects of modern life – including the costs and benefits of increased efficiency rendered by “best practices” ISD.