During that face-to-face training it all seems so easy. The presenter makes sense, the presentation makes sense, this is something you can do. But then, you go home and the real world converges. It's not as easy, where's that presenter now?
As a trainer and a trainee, I can relate. But it's not feasible for the trainer to visit me on site, is it? or isn't it? Why can't I get in the minute support? In this day of 24/7 internet access I think it is possible. But it does take planning, forethought and support.
Discussion Groups
One way to keep the conversation going, is to create an online discussion group.There are a variety of social media platforms that can be used for this purpose:
Facebook
Using the Groups option, you can create an open or closed discussion group. You can make it hidden, so only folks sent a link can find the group, or make posting only open to invitees but the posts viewable by anyone. Or you can leave the group completely open, anyone can see the group and post to it.
LinkedIn
If you are looking for a more professional space, LInkedIn is another useful site to use. Like Facebook, LinkedIn allows users to create discussion groups that can be either open or closed.
Before You Start
It is important to identify your potential audience, develop a disclaimer and some guidelines. It is important to remind users not to refer to specific people--and to remember that if they are from a small community even a general description might be too specific.
I attended the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium's Conference in early May. The MEIC, as it is called, is an exciting opportunity for early intervention professionals and the parents they work with, to learn together. The key note speaker this year was Nancy Carlsson-Paige (you can read more about her here: http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/blog/). Ms. Carlsson-Paige talked about the importance of unstructured play--pretend play, that is self-directed.
I was there to present a two-day intensive workshop entitled: Social Media Strategies: Using Technology to Support and Inform. While it might seem that these two topics were incongruous, I would argue that Pinterest, one of the most popular social media sites for young mothers, shows that families are creating and sharing ideas about unstructured play. And to prove it, I want to share some pins from families showing how to reuse those old entertainment centers:
A quick trip to a yard sale or thrift store, some paint, fabric and creativity and for under a $100 you can have a pretend kitchen that can provide hours and hours of imaginative play.
