1. Making the experience of a
collaboration & network space
meaningful
Presentation for NCSL, 21 May 2009 - Headshift, Ana Roji

2. our process to figure it out...
[ Process ]

3. First step:
Framing research
[ Research ]

4. First step:
Framing research
Getting a better understanding of how programs
work. Exploring peopleʼs motivations and needs to
use the new NCSL network&collaboration space.
Detecting existing barriers on the previous system
Bring a “blank canvas” to the table, how it would be
like in an ideal world? Finding ways to engage
peopleʼs contribution. How does success look like for
you in the NCSL new system?
[ Research ]

5. Gathering the right
people to talk to....
[ Research ]

6. Gathering the right
people to talk to....
Program participants & Profile represented under Roles of admin, moderator
providers Janet's and Jane's & analysts
(head teachers, deputy and persona
assistant heads, middle
leaders, school business
managers)
[ Research ]

7. Observations out of...
[ Observations ]

8. Observations out of...
Open
Role playing Previous research
conversations
within programs provided
with end users
[ Observations ]

9. [ Observations ] ]
[ About

10. some of the
conclusions...
[ Insights ]

11. Basic fixes
Log in
problems
[ Insights ]

12. Basic fixes
Log in Too long
problems to load
[ Insights ]

13. Basic fixes
Log in Too long Navigation
problems to load issues
[ Insights ]

14. Basic fixes
Log in Too long Navigation Findability
problems to load issues issues
[ Insights ]

15. Basic fixes
Log in Too long Navigation Findability
problems to load issues issues
Not Not user Not
intuitive friendly enjoyable
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

16. Basic fixes
Log in Too long Navigation Findability
problems to load issues issues
So these are the basics....but what else?
Not user Not
Not intuitive
friendly enjoyable
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

17. ...we still need to provide a space
where people engage
[ Insights ]

18. ...and the main barrier lies in a
pattern of behavior...
[ Insights ]

19. Pattern of
behavior
lack of time
contribution
cycle
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

20. Pattern of
behavior
lack of time
contribution
cycle
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

21. Pattern of
behavior
lack of time
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

22. Pattern of
behavior
lack of time
contribution
cycle
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

23. Pattern of
behavior
lack of time
...and this is how we are going to
contribution
break it...
cycle
Approach: Design process ]
[ Insights

24. our propositions
1 - More Interconnected system and
more integrated with the public site
[ Design ]

25. our propositions
1 - More Interconnected system and
more integrated with the public site
For example...
[ Design ]

26. our propositions
1 - More Interconnected system and
more integrated with the public site
For example...
Reinforcing outside discussions within program spaces
Opening programs within cohorts
More visibility of discussions on public NCSL homepage
Serendipity in finding new content
Discovery through related issues
[ Design ]

27. our propositions
2 - Users to have more ownership -
including programs
Approach: Design process ]
[ Design [ Design
Strategy

28. our propositions
2 - Users to have more ownership -
including programs
For example...
Approach: Design process ]
[ Design [ Design
Strategy

29. our propositions
2 - Users to have more ownership -
including programs
For example...
Being able to create their own groups and discussions
Ability to create groups of participation within programs
Having flexible paths to design your own training
Having your own pace, free dip in & out
[ Design [ Design ]
Strategy

30. our propositions
3 - Programs being flexible structures,
integration with other discussions
[ Design ]

31. our propositions
3 - Programs being flexible structures,
integration with other discussions
Programs feeling part of the rest of the collaboration space
More open structure throughout the whole experience
Not based on units as individual lessons of programs
but a more global approach
Reflecting the sense of the communities outside programs
[ Design ]

32. our propositions
4 - Trusted environment, inspirational,
reliable, enjoyable to use
[ Design ]

33. our propositions
4 - Trusted environment, inspirational,
reliable, enjoyable to use
More welcoming environment, friendly
Flexible, personalized and challenging
More speedy, intuitive and wide
Breaking down barriers
Easily accessible
More visual & conversational
[ Design ]

34. our propositions
5 - Wider access, dynamic discussions
are built on flexible spaces
[ Design ]

35. our propositions
5 - Wider access, dynamic discussions
are built on flexible spaces
Too many private areas could be damaging,
would lead to a static space for discussion:
Talking Heads group, “a very small space for head teachers;
very successful in the beginning, but as time went on it was being
used less and less. We kept it thinking people would appreciate
the confidentiality of only engaging with head teachers,
but they were moving more to the public areas of
NCSL in Dialogue, where they were engaging with other
roles of school leaders...they were the more active areas,
that’s why more people wanted to be involved with them...”
[ Design ]

36. our propositions
6 - Building a stronger sense of community
in programs, benefit for all
[ Design ]

37. our propositions
6 - Building a stronger sense of community
in programs, benefit for all
Participating as a group on certain tasks on programs
Encouraging participation as a benefit for the whole group,
not only individually to “tick” the assignment for that unit
Ex participants becoming “mentors” on given programs
Programs are crucial pieces, only after a successful experience
people would go back looking for support or information
[ Design ]

38. our propositions
7 - More immediate ways to communicate
based on WebEx positive feedback
[ Design ]

39. our propositions
7 - More immediate ways to communicate
based on WebEx positive feedback
Live chats within groups in programs:
quick access and support, group live discussions
Easy & quick way to communicate personally
with program participants
Great feedback on online seminars through WebEx
[ Design ]

40. ways to break it...
More Interconnected system and more integrated with the public site
Users to have more ownership - including programs
Programs being flexible structures - integration with other discussions
Trusted environment, inspirational, reliable, enjoyable to use
Wider access, dynamic discussions are built on flexible spaces
Building a stronger sense of community in programs, benefit for all
More immediate ways to communicate based on WebEx positive feedback
[ Design ]

41. ...additional findings...
[ Design ]

42. key quotes
[ Design ]

43. key quotes
“No need to browse, I receive the
info that matters to me”
“I want the system to feel more
personal”
“Better visibility of all the
options the system offers me”
[ Design ]

44. key quotes
“No need to browse, I receive the feeds & updates
info that matters to me”
recommended
content
“I want the system to feel more
personal” personal dashboard
private space to
“Better visibility of all the reflect on programs
options the system offers me”
more visibility of
other content
more integrated
experience
[ Design ]

45. Also...
“Stimulation from peers, emulate
face to face collaboration”
“I would like to get feedback from
the tutor, his input is vital”
“Different people need different
ways to use the site”
“I need quick access”
[ Design ]

46. Also...
engaging &
“Stimulation from peers, emulate challenging tutors
face to face collaboration”
contribute as a group
“I would like to get feedback from
the tutor, his input is vital” having mentors
easy to raise new
“Different people need different discussion-question
ways to use the site”
clear categories &
titles
“I need quick access” facilitate different
ways to contribute
[ Design ]

47. next steps...
[ Design Strategy ]