stephen blyth’s blog

Join in a free, live online presentation sharing a case study about a group of scientists using free web-based tools to run a conservation planning workshop.

Although this case study is about a conservation project the lessons have very broad applicability to any community and voluntary organisation wanting to trial online collaboration at low or no cost. More details below.

Meeting details:

2pm Monday 23 November (1am GMT, see other times here)

RSVP required. Use the contact form or email me and I will send you login information.

About the format:

This will presentation be done via an interactive website using a webinar format (ie web plus seminar). You can participate from the comfort of you seat - yes, there’ll be lots of chances for you to ask questions. The webinar is free and offered as part of a course in Facilitating Online Communities I am enrolled in offered through Otago Polytechnic.

What you need to join in:

• computer connected to the internet
• headphone or speakers to listen to the presentation
• a microphone to ask questions (optional - you can ask questions using text based chat).

Going online to save the mala - early lessons from a web-based conservation planning process

Scientists all over the world are working to protect endangered animal species. Over many years people involved in Conservation Breeding Specialist Groups (CBSG) have refined a planning methodology to quickly and effectively address species population decline. This planning typically takes place through carefully facilitated face-to-face workshops.

In mid 2009 members of the Australasian CBSG agreed to trial the virtual environment as an alternative to face-to-face conservation planning workshops. The target for the pilot workshop is endeavours to ensure the survival of the mala, or the rufous hare-wallaby. This population is managed under semi-captive conditions at Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory Australia.

As well as undertaking population modelling and testing management scenarios, the CBSG scientists agreed to build a virtual team and to evaluate the use of the virtual environments. Feedback and discussion about the technical challenges and facilitation process formed part of the pilot.

Caroline Lees, co-convenor of the Australasian CBSG, mapped out what they’d been doing in face-to-face workshops and developed a corresponding online workshop agenda. The process unrolled over a two month period from early August 2009. A variety of technologies were used including phone calls, Skype and synchronous conversation (using Vyew web conference software), along with email and a Google sites wiki.

Wearing my hat as a technology steward, I was involved at a distance assisting with selection of suitable tools and proffering other advice and moral support.

This workshop will cover:

1. Determining workshop activities and processes plus choosing online tools
2. Facilitating active involvement by project team members in an online setting.