Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 1 Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Strengthen Social Capital: Design Considerations Sibren Fetter, Adriana Berlanga & Peter Sloep CELSTEC, Open University of the Netherlands

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 2 Overview Social Capital The eTwinning Network Our Goals Ad Hoc Transient Groups Design Considerations Expected Effects Screenshots (mock-up) Summary Next Steps

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 3 Social Capital Social Capital represents the capabilty of gaining benefits by having relationships with others. 1. People need to be connected 2. People need to stay in the network by feeling a sense of belonging to the network 3. People need to use these connections in order to gain the benefits

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 4 The eTwinning Network (1) Network of teachers Teachers are from all over Europe Through the network teachers do projects together Learning different teaching methods Getting their students to know different cultures Building up their contacts with colleagues However many teachers in the network are not connected

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 5 The eTwinning Network (2)

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 6 Our Goals 1. Stimulate the teachers to connect to many other teachers 2. Make them feel part of the network 3. Let them help each other 4. And to get from to 5. We propose to use Ad Hoc Transient Groups

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 7 Ad Hoc Transient Groups (AHTGs) Private Communication Environment

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 8 Design Considerations Finding the right participant with a matching system Calculate a matching score based on: Availability Language spoken Content competency Participant accountability Everyone has a score of ‘number of satisfactory answers given’ Showing participants’ contacts and previous activity Imoprove their sense of belonging Making the tool easy and accessible As easy as possible so the threshold to use is as low as can be

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 9 Expected effects AHTG Decentralized network Higher sense of belonging to the network Increased mutual support

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Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 14 Summary The eTwinning network needs its teachers more connected By letting teachers help each other for a short periods of time thorugh Ad Hoc Transient Groups we expect: Decentralization of the network Improved sense of belonging More mutual support We can do this by providing a communication service usign Ad Hoc Transient Groups that: Matches teachers Uses ratings Shows previous activity / contacts Is easy to use

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 15 Next Steps Assess the state of the eTwinning Network using social network analysis and surveys Run simulations in Netlogo and if neccessary adjust our model Building a prototype Implement and test within the eTwinning network

Using Ad Hoc Transient Groups to Socialize the eTwinning Network page 16 Questions? Thank you for your attention For more information see my articles on: Or me at: