Knowledge Management Brief: Online Discussions

These discussions can be held synchronously as a real-time chat or asynchronously through online forums or listservs. Asynchronous online discussions give participants the opportunity to share their experiences, learn from peers, and advance dialogue on critical issues. Online discussions are usually intended as public conversations on a specific topic, but they can also be open to a select group of participants with the goal of obtaining feedback from a specific group of stakeholders. Facilitators pose questions to encourage participants to share their knowledge and experiences with each other. The USAID Bureau for Food Security and partners use online discussions to support knowledge management and learning for agricultural development. The Knowledge-Driven Microenterprise Development (KDMD) project designs and implements state-of-the-art knowledge management, learning, and collaboration tools and promotes collaboration among practitioners to ensure innovation and adoption. Some possible objectives of an online discussion include soliciting input on the development of new guidance, vetting good practice, or developing consensus about project and programmatic challenges facing the community. Online discussions are particularly well-suited for drawing in participants from all over the world, as they can contribute to the discussion at their convenience. To host an online discussion, various platforms can be used, including websites designated for that purpose, email, or both. When deciding on a discussion platform, factors to consider include whether it is web-based or requires software downloads, the level of technical support provided, whether user registration is required, and whether it offers features such as file posting, file sharing, or responding to polls. The Agrilinks platform hosts facilitated online discussions, including AgExchanges and e-Consultations. AgExchanges are open to all participants and encourage participants from various perspectives to share their experiences. E-Consultations, on the other hand, are limited to a select group of participants and are used for situations where a targeted group of individuals is needed to provide feedback on a specific topic. Effective online discussions require active and informed facilitators who can create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for participants. Facilitators should be familiar with the discussion topic and daily agenda and contribute their ideas and opinions to the discussion. They should also help to draw participants into the discussion and make them feel like they are a vital part of the event. When scoping an online discussion, it is essential to define the goals and plan the logistics of the activity. This includes confirming that the online discussion is an appropriate tool for collaboration and establishing a clear definition of what success would mean for the activity. Facilitators should also think through questions such as who they are trying to bring together and for what purpose, what they want to achieve, and how they will assess the success of the activity. To drive up participation, it is essential to define incentives for participants, such as gaining new professional recognition or access to a high-profile facilitator. The facilitator should also think about the individuals, groups, and groups from which they need input to make the activity successful. Finally, online discussions should be part of a larger strategy to collect and disseminate knowledge, and participants should be aware of the follow-up items that will come from the discussion.