When examining the continuum from renewal to new in the case of digital collaborative, I found that my case as a whole is more on the renewal side of the continuum. The use of digital platforms to collaborate is not new. Collaborating and teaming is not new. Collaborating digitally is not new. The method in which we will be collaborating is new.
My school, the location for my case study, is a Google school and is swamped with the use Google Suite. Google is fine; however, when examining other platforms and their performances, it seemed appropriate to test MURAL.
However, MURAL as a platform is new.
My colleagues are entrenched with user-friendly Google Suite, but this does not mean that all teachers are tech-savvy. The team that will be working with MURAL in the collaborative do not all have the same level of technology competencies. There will be a learning curve and comfort-level required to function in the collaborative. The learning curve for MURAL and the user expectations are ‘newer’ and will move down the continuum. The expectations of the familiarity and the consistent use of MURAL will be higher, for this collaborative work well and with purpose.
Hi Bobbi. Thanks for sharing your continuum and treatment of whether your plan is new or renewed. As I read, I found myself nodding along with your thoughts, especially as you explored the challenges that you may face as they resonate in my environment, too.
I may be incorrect, but I think you are the Principal? If so, do you set the vision or do you collaborate with the learning leader team identified on your continuum? The reason I ask is to determine if there is a specific challenge you face within your organizational context that you already have in mind for your prototype? I imagine that the first topic you explore on Mural could be very influential in uptake from the team. Are you thinking of piloting with a fun, easy to understand topic or will you choose a topic that is currently relevant in your framework so as to solve an actual topic you face?
Last question… what drew you to Mural? Reading your post has prompted me to explore Mural a bit more deeply and I am drawn to the visual approach and ability to collaborate synchronously and asynchronously. I have a few team members who are delayed processors and think this tool may just help in allowing those folks to contribute after a meeting, once they’ve had a chance to process the ideas within their job context.
Thanks for sharing, Bobbi! Looking forward to hearing more about how it goes. Karen.