Open a dialogue between inside and outside perspectives

“Good community design requires an understanding of the community’s potential to develop and steward knowledge, but it often takes an outside perspective to help members see the possibilities” (Wenger et al., 2002, p.54). I am fortunate to have had many opportunities to engage in conversations about SCoPE through participation in workshops, meetings, conferences, and other communities. As described in (LINK TO WIKI PAGES), much of this dialogue has been focused specifically on SCoPE, as well as online community design in general. Also, as an active member in other online communities and events I am always exposed to new ideas to bring back to SCoPE.

Occasions to show and describe SCoPE at conferences and respond to questions from people who have had no exposure to the community (and in some cases to any community) act as a heuristic for rethinking design. For example, I was recently asked what I have found is the best time to schedule seminar discussions given that members are from so many different time zones. It dawned on me that nowhere on the site does it mention that the seminar discussions are asynchronous.