looking for a good open-source tool to foster online communities of practice
Can anyone recommend any online tools/platforms/interfaces that they're using to facilitate virtual Communities of Practice?
At my organization, we're trying to foster improved internal & external communication through this type of site, but are having difficulty choosing the best option that meet the following requirements: the system should be easily integrated into tools users are already comfortable with (i.e. skype, intranet using Confluence, gmail). It should allow for creation of groups or categories of discussion. It should integrate into email and have a desktop based Instant Messenger client to help increase response time. It must also provide archived information that can be searched so that in the future users can simply search instead of having to ask again. The application must also function well under low bandwidth environments – possibly even integrating with SMS, which is avidly used in developing countries.
Any and all ideas on tools to check out would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
At my organization, we're trying to foster improved internal & external communication through this type of site, but are having difficulty choosing the best option that meet the following requirements: the system should be easily integrated into tools users are already comfortable with (i.e. skype, intranet using Confluence, gmail). It should allow for creation of groups or categories of discussion. It should integrate into email and have a desktop based Instant Messenger client to help increase response time. It must also provide archived information that can be searched so that in the future users can simply search instead of having to ask again. The application must also function well under low bandwidth environments – possibly even integrating with SMS, which is avidly used in developing countries.
Any and all ideas on tools to check out would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bill Cushard on -
Huddle.net might be close.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Berthelemy on
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Hi Marie-Laure,
We're using Yammer which does nearly all of what you're looking for.
Integration with Skype: User profile can contain Skype address
Integration with intranet: via hyperlinks
Integration with gmail: Yes. Users can set notifications to come to them via email
Group creation: Yes - anyone can create a group
Desktop-based IM client: No. But why do you need this when Skype does it?
Searchable: Yes
Low-bandwidth: Yes, very low image count on each page.
Integrate with SMS: Yes. Users can set notifications to come to them via SMS
Cost: Free - unless you want the extra administration features
I hope that helps.
Cheers,
Mark
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Permalink Reply by Bob Brogan on
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Hi Marie-Laure,
Please take a look at TOPYX by Interactyx. It leverages open-source technologies with an easy-to-use interface and is a highly affordable, hosted solution. TOPYX provides collaborative tools within its communities of practice to improve sharing and integrates with Skype. To learn more, visit www.interactyx.com or please feel free to contact me at bob.brogan@interactyx.com.
Good luck,
Bob
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Hi Marie-Laurie,
I've just remembered Barnraiser's AroundMe (http://www.barnraiser.org/aroundme). It's open source, rather than just free. And looks like it will do what you're looking for.
Mark
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Permalink Reply by Michael McGuire on -
Marie-Laure,
I cannot recommend a specific tool or platform from my own experience however I have done some research on this subject, as I was attempting to start a COP in my last company, and I would suggest you research the United States Army's use of COPs. They have been using COPs for some time and apparently do it very well. You will probably see references to the architectural structure as well as the tools/platforms used.
If you want to reach out to me privately I can give you the name of a former Army officer who has direct experience with the Army's COPs and has written and published on the subject.
You can reach me at msm16@zoominternet.net
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Hofmann on
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In late 2009, InSync Training launched a Community of Practice for Synchronous Training practicioners using a Facebook Group. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102783275422). The intention of the group was to encourage an exchange of information about best practices by people already doing the work - as such, we are not trying to get everyone we know to 'join' our group.
We are thrilled with the results - we have 350 people who have joined, and the participation is very active. There is a monthly budget to pay for moderation. As of now, moderation takes about 3 hours a week.
At the same time we launced an active Twitter campaign, which is much more marketing oriented. There is a concentrated effort not to mix the messages of the two media.
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Permalink Reply by Karen O'Connor on -
We may have something that could help meet your need. We work with mid to large size companies providing a software tool to facilitate open mentoring and networking for the purpose of knowledge sharing and learning. I've included a short overview of what Triple Creek (www.3creek.com) offers in this space. If you would like more information or further conversation, please let me know.
Brief Overview:
Open Mentoring is an enterprise mentoring system (EMS) that supports the three main elements of social learning.
1. Learning Structure - Every e-mentoring interaction has a learning focus and competency basis.
2. Knowledge Management - A facilitated knowledge exchange process occurs through one-to-one, group, and situational mentoring.
3. Intentional Networking - An integrated database creates access to a broad range of people and networks.
Open Mentoring helps people form intentional learning relationships. Whether through one-to-one, group, or situational mentoring interactions, mentees and mentors can create, sustain, and close relationships based on learning competencies and goals. Collaboration tools, support materials, and additional utilities help keep relationships engaged and on track, while automated self-selection and third-party matching of participants based on competencies makes for solid learning connections.
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Permalink Reply by Glenn Friesen on -
The first tool that comes to mind that meets all your needs is WordPress with BuddyPress. You'd have to have a WordPress wizard to work some magic installing the correct plugins and modifying a custom theme a bit, but you'd have an excellent tool at the end. Downside on this is the upfront cost of development (the tools aren't expensive, but knowing how to use them properly is).
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Ben Nayak on
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Hi Marie,
It becomes an unique need when you say 'foster online communities of practise'. The demand here (as I see it) is to create, channelize and operate a bidirectional community of practise that render practise based services to the industry at their respective heirarchies.
Open-source is very powerful to answer such needs. Consider a totally customized online portal that serves the following goals:
1.Core Elements
Curriculum delivery, guidelines/ policy culture, CME
2. Learning Management
Member transcripts, learning lab/virtual learning, practise improvement, self-assessment
3. User Defined Content
Exploration, interests, communication
4. Community based practises
Blogs, topics, wikis, special interest groups, program workgroups, committee workspaces, quality improvement
Open source tools such as Dolphin from Boonex is a powerful tool. For an enhanced learning management experience tools such as Moodle or Drupal can be customized and integrated to form a complete online platform.
We have helped medical associations such as National Lipid Association with such powerful tools.
I will be glad to discuss possibilities with you.
Regards,
Ben
ben.nayak@infoproworldwide.com
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