For your ARP, how did you select the technologies that you are utilizing? How have your learners responded thus far (2/18)?

I’ve constructed a support group made up of employees who’s company has recently gone through a top down organizational change. As a result of the restructuring the morale in the organization has decreased. Employee loyalty is almost non-existent. A large number of employees have left the organization and a number have expressed a desire to leave and are actively looking. My support group was developed as forum for those involved to feel once again empowered. A group of women that can mentor each other in whatever avenue the individual chooses. Initially I thought about developing a Wiki where they can post information, articles, poems and other useful resources, but thought against it, since some of the participants are not tech savvy. I created instead a Google group. Google groups provide instant communication through email. I can attach a Google calendar for meeting times. We can chat as group, or members can chat individually when they need assistance. Since Google groups sends email notifications, those members that have a Blackberry or other similar cellular phone features can stay in the loop continuously. We can post documents, link to various resources and upload documents for others to review such as a resume for input.

For meetings, we’re exploring Skype, but since not all members have webcams we are still chatting. I would hope that later we can all have webcams for face to face interaction. I plan on experimenting with Freeconference.com and Yugam, both are web conferencing forums.

It’s too early to tell how my group is responding to the technology forums that I chose, I think at this moment they appreciate the fact that it allows them to participate without putting the added pressure of being somewhere at a particular time and location. They can participate anywhere there is internet service and they have access to a computer. There is no cost or investment on their part for the services that we use. I hope to convince them to invest in a webcam, but that is strictly voluntary.

An added bonus to the participants of my ARP is that they are exploring with me the uses of technology in facilitating group and individual interactions. I foresee using additional technologies, such as a blogging, creating a video or webpage, although these are decisions the group will make.