Linda Creanor Glasgow Caledonian University UK Steve Walker School of Info. Management Leeds Metropolitan University UK Some lessons from the Dialog On project

Dialog On European Trade Union College (ETUCO) – –Supported by the European Commission –Develop trade union capacities to work with the ‘tools of the information society’

Aims Online learning: –To develop training materials and prepare tutors for computer- mediated distance learning (CMDL) –To deliver 7 national & 7 transnational courses co-ordinated by 12 organisationsNetworking: –To improve the capacity of union organisation –To develop materials & train network animateurs –To initiate 8 online communities of practice

Focus of Training  Technical training(First Class)  Communicating Online  Transnational communication  Using internet resources  Evaluating online interaction  Technical training(First Class)  Communicating Online  Transnational communication  Using internet resources  Evaluating online interaction  Introduction to CMDL  Developing & delivering courses  Designing activities & materials  Introduction to Networking  Animating networks + + CORE NetworksCMDL

 blended tutor training course  2 face to face sessions  3 months of online activities  preparation for transnational courses  blended tutor training course  2 face to face sessions  3 months of online activities  preparation for transnational courses Types of Training  Two face to face sessions  Design of network discussion area  Developing the ‘ground rules’  Online conference area for exchange of ideas Tutors Animateurs

E-learning (CMDL) Confederations – Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK Organisational Networking European Industry Feds – EFBWW, EMCEF, ETF, ETUCE, UNI- Europa Graphical A false distinction?

Technology People Activities

‘What’s a network? Virtual teams – small (restricted) groups, task-oriented Virtual communities – larger, more open membership Learning networks - time-limited, specific learning objectives Virtual teams – small (restricted) groups, task-oriented Virtual communities – larger, more open membership Learning networks - time-limited, specific learning objectives European Works Council co-ordination networks EWC/company networks Virtual committees – extend over time, space, participation? NOT ‘information exchange’ European Works Council co-ordination networks EWC/company networks Virtual committees – extend over time, space, participation? NOT ‘information exchange’ Some specific types of union network Some types of network

‘What’s in it for me & my members?’ Networks need to be meaningful to all (intended) participants Network activities must (also) contribute to local union work Networks best when based on concrete tasks Networks need ‘animation’ Networks need to be meaningful to all (intended) participants Network activities must (also) contribute to local union work Networks best when based on concrete tasks Networks need ‘animation’ Maintaining motivation Recruitment – appropriate time, skills, experience & position Retention – and replacement Recruitment – appropriate time, skills, experience & position Retention – and replacementAnimateurs

‘ A network takes a lot of work… Ambassador: liaise with other union structures Archivist: what’s worth keeping? Chair: keeps the work in network Host: encourage supportive atmosphere Librarian: identify & organise relevant information Support: resolve participants’ technical difficulties Weaver: draw out key points from discussions Pedagogue: design tasks to enable learning Ambassador: liaise with other union structures Archivist: what’s worth keeping? Chair: keeps the work in network Host: encourage supportive atmosphere Librarian: identify & organise relevant information Support: resolve participants’ technical difficulties Weaver: draw out key points from discussions Pedagogue: design tasks to enable learning Some animation and tutoring skills

Quoi? Qu é ? What? …? Often a ‘dimmer switch’ - not on/off Written language skills different from spoken Use local language expertise Professional translation (where resources permit) English speakers don’t understand international English Translation machines don’t help much (yet?) Often a ‘dimmer switch’ - not on/off Written language skills different from spoken Use local language expertise Professional translation (where resources permit) English speakers don’t understand international English Translation machines don’t help much (yet?)Language

For more information… Dialog On Project web site: Training materials: Dialog On Project Evaluation Report: Report.pdf Report.pdf