the social by social game
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was developed for an online conference organised by Local Government Improvement and Development: Local by Social. The origins of the social by social game go back to the late 1990s when government planned local online community learning centres … and wanted to engage users in their design. But how do you co-design an online centre when users may not have used a a computer? Drew Mackie and I developed a workshop, based on previous community engagement work, that involves the simplest of props - a pack of cards. Today we face the situation in reverse. How can councils plan the use of social media, with local communities, when officers and members are often unfamiliar with the tools? Indeed many residents may be using Facebook when this is blocked for council use. The current version of the game was further developed with social media experts Beth Kanter (US), Amy Sample Ward (US-UK) and Andy Gibson (UK), and refined in use. It is backed up by the Social by Social book http://socialbysocial.com and linked online community http://socialbysocial.net. Fell free to download and use it yourself: it is great for training, or planning within or outside an organisation. I find that technology can be an enabler, a barrier - and also a neutral space where everyone can confess their ignorance, share some insights, and help each other learn how to tackle old problems in new ways. The game helps create that conversation space, and nudges people to think about the real issues they are trying to address, and who needs to be involved, before jumping to the tools. The game in detail http://socialbysocial.net/notes/Social_by_Social_gameTRANSCRIPT
The Social by Social game
David Wilcoxhttp://socialreporter.comhttp:socialbysocial.comhtt://socialbysocial.net
The challenge the game addressesHow do you help public agencies – and those they work with – plan the use of social media when most people don’t use it and so don’t understand the possibilities.
The solutionCreate a space where people can talk about the possibilities without a computer in sight.Make it fun!
The game is a workshop exercise, of 60-90 minutes, for a small group or scores of people.
They use a pack of cards to start conversations about tech and non-tech methods an organisation might use internally or externally for projects, promotion, engagement or collaboration.
The game works well “for real” or in training, with members, officers and citizens - whether or not they are confident with computers.
Social by Social game: in summary
A bit of theory
The games reflects:
• Start with situation
• Define your purpose
• Consider stakeholders
• Only then choose methods …
• … including tech
Don’t jump to the tools - who
will use them, where, and why
The game in practice
• Describe or invent a situation• Break into groups, each taking a theme• Define goals and plan actions using cards
The scenario people invented at a Reboot Britain workshop. Here’s a report of the action
Planning sheet helps
groupsreport back
In training sessions with Kent CC, led by Steve Dale, we provide a presentation on social media, practical exercises and a game session where officers - or members - describe a typical project or challenge they would like to address.
So the game can be combined with hands-on sessions.
Social media resources on Steve’s wiki
http://socialmediatoolkit.wikispaces.com
Using the game in training
Draw scenario
Choosemethods
Define goals
Developplan
SMwiki
Try thetools
Strategy game and social media training
Sequence ofthe game
Follow up training
Hands-onfollow up
http://socialmediatoolkit.wikispaces.com
http://www.socialmediasurgery.com
Examples of the game in use
Lots of conferences. Post and video
In Europe - with media coaches. Post and video
Town centre developments. Video
Training with Kent County Council
Also US, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and other countries
Game instuctions and downloads
Full details of the game, with downloads of the cards are here.
If you would like to discuss further, do get in touch: [email protected] 07970 621696
Free Social by Social book: http://socialbysocial.comCommunity: http://socialbysocial.netMy blog: http://socialreporter.com
All materials are © Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike so feel free to use and distribute, with attribution.