- The document discusses online communities and how to create successful online communities of practice for educators. It defines online communities and communities of practice. - It provides guidelines for designing successful online communities, including establishing clear aims, focusing on member needs, fostering trust, and being willing to change and adapt the community over time. - Examples are given of two online communities for Scottish educators called Deputes Together and Heads Together that aim to reduce isolation and provide resources and support.

1. How to Create Successful Online Communities Henriette Laidlaw Phil Galbraith

21. Change in member activity Helen Nicol, 2007

25. The Exchange Shared Discussion Professional Development A Curriculum for Excellence Cybrary Publications News Useful links Deputes Together Leadership and Management Additional Support Needs Early Years Primary Secondary Quality Assurance Raising Attainment Staff Room Heads Together Leadership and Management Additional Support Needs Early Years Primary Secondary Staff Room Access restricted to Deputes Access for Head Teachers and Deputes Access restricted to Head Teachers

31. Benefits of The ‘Together’ Communities* “ It can save you time It’s a valuable source of info & advice It provides a national perspective Its use contributes to CPD It is up to date & continually updated It is a valuable source of support” *Taken from Heads Together Evaluation 2006: George St Research

32. Thought I might have felt overwhelmed by the amount of information available, but it has actually helped me focus on the priorities in my school and my place in taking these forward. A great new resource. Nice to know that we do not have to continue reinventing the wheel and that an answer is just a click away. ) For me the most useful aspect of Heads Together is the constant collation of all the issues and links that are important to a Scottish headteacher is invaluable. Deputes Together can only be a good thing. We tend to work away in our own schools and discuss topics within the SMT, and this new forum allows us to have wider discussion. Views from other authorities are essential! It has opened a treasure box of resources, especially people! lots of new ideas now floating around my head to take back to school!