Using web 2.0 tools for harvesting in Open Space

[Chris Corrigan]

My friend Carmen Pirie from Halifax has posted a lovely story on his
weblog<http://pirie.typepad.com/1/2008/10/using-ning-for-open-space-harvest.html>
about
how he used social networking tools to harvest from a large Open Space"

I spent most of this past week in Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland, joining with
> Ella McQuinn in facilitating the Gros Morne Institute's International
> Summit on Sustainable Tourism <http://www.gmistgatherings.com/home/>.  The
> conference covered four focus areas of sustainable tourism using the same
> half-day design for each segment: 1.5 hrs of Keynote and Panel followed by 2
> hrs of Open Space.  The final half-day session saw the group of just over
> 100 delegates converging on action items and next steps.



> Several weeks ago I started a private Ning <http://www.ning.com> site for
> the gathering with an invitation to join sent out to all registered
> delegates.  Forum discussions were started surrounding the four broad focus
> areas of the conference and a pre-conference profile questionnaire allowed
> delegates to get to know one another prior to showing up.  Additionally, one
> of the conference organizers started to blog actively and many delegates
> chose to upload various travel photos – such is the nature of the
> sustainable tourism crowd, I've learned.  All of this activity – with 70% of
> conference attendees active on the Ning in forums, discussions, and leaving
> notes for each other – occurred before the conference ever started.



> One of the challenges as Open Space scales is how to harvest learning from
> the individual sessions in a way that informs the whole, without resorting
> to time-consuming verbal harvests by session hosts.  To address this
> challenge, first we had session hosts complete written harvests that were
> typed by volunteering students and enlarged to 11x17 output, then placed
> around the room.  Then each host took the time, during meals, breaks, etc.,
> to record a brief (2-5min) video synopsis of the conversation using my Flip
> Video camera and a mini tripod.  These videos were uploaded to the Ning
> during the evenings and conference delegates could review the videos the
> next morning.


> Now that the conference is over, delegates can use the Ning to further
> their discussions and initiatives – while automatically informing the
> community of their efforts and allowing the conversation to grow.  All
> keynote speeches, panel discussions, and Open Space break out session videos
> are available for ongoing review and reference on the Ning – along with the
> PowerPoint slides and other supporting material from the conference. (At
> least they will be available once I get it all uploaded.)
>

> All of this to say, I simply find Ning to be exceptionally useful for this
> sort of thing.  Conferences are supposed to be about connecting, learning
> from each other, and then – with any luck – collectively moving some
> initiatives forward.  And if that's what you're after with the conference
> you're organizing, it seems to me that the little bit of time and energy
> needed to invest in a Ning site is incredibly well spent.
>

-- 
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Facilitation - Training - Process Design
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com

Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.
http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com

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