1. Scottish Centre for Regeneration (SCR) – Learning Networks quick guide to the online forum platform

2. Introduction The Communities of Practice is used to help build capability and capacity in project and programme management in the public sector, providing ways to share good practice and to help find common solutions to common problems. Some advantages of becoming a member include: a secure and private area to share information; free access to use of blogs, wiki’s, discussion forums, libraries etc. building networks throughout Scotland; helping to do your job better. Using the Facilities Now click your mouse to start the presentation. If you want to skip the registration process, click one of these green action buttons Now click your mouse to start the presentation. If you want to skip the registration process, click one of these green action buttons The areas covered in this presentation are as follows: Registering to the Communities of Practice Creating Your Profile Joining the SCR Learning Networks

3. Firstly, register your details in order to join the Communities of Practice website and use the site. Once registered, you can then request to join the relevant SCR online forum Firstly, register your details in order to join the Communities of Practice website and use the site. Once registered, you can then request to join the relevant SCR online forum If you need some information before joining, click the help link to view a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Community of Practice. Registration Tip. Save this welcome page in your favourites as this is where you sign-in every time! Tip. Save this welcome page in your favourites as this is where you sign-in every time! http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do Here is the link to the welcome page of the Communities of practice. If you want to go there now, click to hyperlink!

4. At the bottom of the page, register your details Complete Personal details Title First name Last name E-mail address Password Organisation Job Title Complete Personal details Title First name Last name E-mail address Password Organisation Job Title Registration

5. Once registered, an e-mail will be sent to you to activate your account. Registration

6. Once you have activated your account, use your e-mail and password every time you want to enter the site. Registration

7. Your first task is to create your profile Your Home page

8. Amend Personal details Add a photograph Write a short description of yourself and add details of your work Edit your profile to……. Add areas of expertise Your Profile Once complete, return to your home page

9. Your Home page Now its time to join the relevant SCR Learning Network (in this example it’s Housing Management and Efficiencies)

10. List of Communities Click on Housing Management and Efficiencies Learning Network to view its login page. Search for ’housing management’

11. Housing Management and Efficiencies Learning Network Now its time to apply to join the Learning Network. Firstly, tell the community facilitators why you would like to join? Finally you will receive an e-mail back from one of the facilitators accepting your request. Note. If you don’t meet the membership criteria the facilitator may reject your request! Note. If you don’t meet the membership criteria the facilitator may reject your request! http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/3705853/home.do Here is the link to the welcome page of the Housing Management and Efficiencies Learning Network. If you want to go there now, click to hyperlink!

12. Your Home page Once you have received membership, the community will automatically be added to your home page so you can hyperlink straight to it. If you are members of other communities, they will all be listed here.

13. As a new member, your name should appear here. Welcome to the community!! As a new member, your name should appear here. Welcome to the community!! Housing Management and Efficiencies Learning Network Now its time to start to share good practice and help find common solutions to common problems with your fellow network users

14. Why not invite other people to join this community and get them involved! Housing Management and Efficiencies Learning Network Why not join in with latest forums or start a new one? Let’s take a look at forums in a bit more depth! Why not join in with latest forums or start a new one? Let’s take a look at forums in a bit more depth!

15. Here is a list of existing topics that you can share your experiences with. Latest Forums This is how you start a new topic. Let’s take a look This is how you start a new topic. Let’s take a look Tags are like keywords that are used by members to describe and categorise (in one word) various topics, event, document, wiki’s or blogs.

16. New Forum Topic When creating a new topic, start by entering the title Next include the text. You have facilities (just like Microsoft word) to make the text bold, italic etc. Remember to add a TAG! Now submit it to the community.

17. Other Facilities Upcoming Events This is used to share and publish upcoming events. Upcoming Events This is used to share and publish upcoming events. Members Here you can view details of all members. Members Here you can view details of all members. Library Collection of documents, images, slides etc. shared by members. Library Collection of documents, images, slides etc. shared by members. WiKi These are web pages that anyone can change, update or add to. WiKi These are web pages that anyone can change, update or add to. Blogs These are online journals reflecting the thoughts and activities of members Blogs These are online journals reflecting the thoughts and activities of members There are many facilities on the Communities of Practice. Here is just a quick overview.