Dear Amy,
I agree that the usability of the jiscmail list leaves a lot to be desired. I support your call to redesign the way we share our knowledge.
I also want to note that usability is only one aspect, the quality of the conversation is also crucial. What I mean here is that the conversation is better when the interlocutors put creative effort into their replies and add value to discussions such that new meanings emerge. Making the list more usable is important, especially if it supports both greater participation and the quality of conversation.
Burr and Larsen (2010, p. 136) describe six factors that may support quality conversations:
(1) crossing intentions are allowed to surface;
(2) new themes emerge in the interactions between crossing intentions;
(3) new, vigorous concepts emerge that resonate with participants’ own experiences;
(4) there is a spontaneity that allows participants to imagine new roles;
(5) there is an ongoing discussion and readjustment of goals; and
(6) facilitation is exercised within the circle of participation, rather than from ‘outside’.
Perhaps one of the key points is that both conflict and collaboration are important. While these factors are meant to apply to participatory design workshops, they could also relevant to this mailing list.
Best,
Luke
Luke Feast, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher in Design
Aalto yliopisto / Aalto University
Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Muotoilun laitos / Department of design
Helsinki, Finland
Buur, J., & Larsen, H. (2010). The quality of conversations in participatory innovation. CoDesign, 6(3), 121-138. doi: 10.1080/15710882.2010.533185
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