If you are looking for some experiential social media learning, in a supportive environment, Twitter chats make a good bet.
I particularly enjoy the ADRHub.com Twitter chats. They are held the last Wednesday of each month. Most of the folks who participate are mediators, and other professionals, who practice non-adversarial approaches to conflict resolution. We’re a community of practice.
Last week, I joined with a dozen other folks (and a few lurkers?) for our monthly chat.
Here’s what I got out of it:
- had fun
- felt welcomed, safe, part of a community
- gave answers to others questions
- got answers to my questions
- learned some things I didn’t know about my peers
- benefited from serendipity; I didn’t know that
- enjoyed others wit, humour, brevity!
- enjoyed the spirit of generosity paying it forward
- made new connections AND felt part of a conversation
- practiced real-time cyber communication skills; no pain, no gain!
- further appreciated the work of a great organization, Mediators Beyond Borders (courtesy of the chat’s special guest, Prabha Sankaranarayan @prabha_sankar )
- got stumped why was I not a Mediators Beyond Borders member?
- observed two practitioners skilled at online hosting, Jason Dykstra and Jeff Thompson (@jasondyk , @mediatorjeff )
- nourished our ADR community-of-practice
- saw how structure and chaos can work hand-in-hand, and what could be more important than that!
Twitter is designed as a ‘social’ media. Twitter chats happen all the time. All you need is some kindred spirits and a hashtag to organize the chat around. Find a chat that fits with your interests. Get wet. Ride the Twitter waves. You and your community will be glad you did.
And, if you’re a Twitter chat veteran, what would you add to the above list? Leave a comment.
Photo credit: mikebaird on Flickr
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