In this activity you will conduct a learning-groups process and report back your small-group learning to the whole group on a collaborative wiki page.

1. Your tutor will divide you into four groups, A to D. 
2. Each group will address the set of questions with the same letter as their group. See below.
3. Assume you are developing a strategy for communicating the vision for e-learning at the school. Actually consult with colleagues at your school where appropriate.
4. Share your findings and ideas in your small-group discussion.

Here are the four sets of questions which may help you develop a communication strategy:

A. Identify the communicators and audience

1. Who are the stakeholders affected by the change?
2. Who would the stakeholders find trustworthy to communicate to them?

Stakeholders are more likely to take ownership of the vision if they feel they have a voice and are well-informed.

1. How will you give the stakeholders the opportunity to respond to your communications, give a comment or ask a question?

B. Identify the most effective communications methods

Stakeholders will expect communication to be timely and honest.

1. Do you want to send mass communications, personal messages, or communicate at meetings?
2. What methods of communication do your stakeholders use most often and prefer?

C. Determine the message content

1. What does your audience need to know about:
   • the vision?
   • how change fits into the school’s objectives and values?
   • personal implications of change?
2. What is the purpose of the messages?
3. What kind of message content would you send – what should it ask for or say?

D.  Evaluate the outcome

1. How will you know your communications strategy has been successful?
2. What evidence will you look for to confirm that the method and content of the messages were appropriate and the best option?

After the small-group discussion:
Join the wiki page your tutor has set up for you, called Guidelines for a communication strategy. As a collaborative group, write a full response to the questions as part of an example strategy for communication.