Here we outline what we consider to be some of the benefits of using Wynchcote Webmags in a community group.

Motivation

Awards

Teamwork

Skills Development

Responsibility

Safety and Security

Do webmags mean extra work for group leaders?

Do you need to create a webmag from scratch?

Do group members and leaders have to be trained?

What would group leaders need to know?

What would group leaders and members NOT need to know? 

Are there opportunities for older group members to help younger ones? 

Active Citizenship

Outreach

Motivation

If you are reading this as a group leader then you may want to consider how powerful a motivator this kind of webmag could be for your members.

Whatever activity your members are involved in you may want them to reflect on their progress as part of the learning process.

Why stop at a discussion or a short group presentation when your members can contribute to an online magazine, or even their own TV station using one of our webmags?

Awards

You may wish to assess each of your members' individual contributions to a project and provide positive feedback for them and their parents or carers.

The difficulty with group work however, is identifying and assessing each individual's contribution to the whole. This problem can be overcome through the production of a webmag.

How? The name of each 'reporter' is automatically added to their individual contribution to the team effort when they upload their contribution.

Teamwork

Producing a webmag is a demanding task and one that will really stretch the team-working skills of your members. They will have to plan and monitor their progress if they are to remain in control and achieve their common goals.

Skills Development  

Team working, problem-solving, communicating, planning, monitoring, evaluating, being flexible, co-operating, supporting ... these are all key skills vital for success in today's world.  Each and every member contributing to a webmag project will develop them all.

Responsibility

There is a real opportunity through the production of a small webmag, or part of a larger webmag, for your members to take on responsibility.

The project could be a small short-term one or a larger ongoing one which is handed over to new members when existing members leave or take up new roles.

No-one other than the group members and leader need ever see the magazine, at least not until you collectively decide to publish the content.

Aware of the importance of safety and security on the web, we offer two different models of webmag: Model 1 and Model 2.

Model 1 - The Open Model

(Level 1 and Level 2 Webmags)

This involves reporters having 'author' status. They can submit articles directly to the webmag. Only when the editor is happy with the article is it published.

An article submitted by a reporter (with 'author' status) can however subsequently be changed and published by that reporter without the editor' consent.

This involves a high degree of trust and if the 'open' model is not to your liking then you should choose the 'closed' model.

Model 2 - The Closed Model

(optional with Level 3 and Level 4 Webmags)

This involves reporters submitting their articles and images separately by uploading them to the web server. The articles sit in a folder awaiting approval and/or editing. The editor may then publish the articles. Only then are the articles included in the webmag.

This method is more time-consuming for the editor but enables much tighter control of published content.

Do webmags mean extra work for group leaders?

Certainly, when Model 2 is adopted. The role of editor could however be adopted by any responsible adults belonging to your organisation.

Webmags provide an opportunity for increased participation by community members.

Do you need to create a Webmag from scratch?

No. The structure of a Wynchcote webmag is provided, as it were, 'out of the box'.

Group leaders may use an existing ready-made webmag installation or request a webmag to be customised by Wynchcote to meet their specific requirements.

For small group webmags we suggest a ready-made format.

Having chosen a particular style, you may easily incorporate your own logo. It is also easy for you to turn on or off webmag features and re-design the structure of content and navigation within the webmag.

You are assured of our continued support as and when you are faced with such requests. Our workshops and online support are all part of the service.

Do group members and leaders have to be trained?

It is desirable that whoever is supervising members using a Wynchcote Webmag does receive some training.

Group members would not necessarily require instruction from Wynchcote. We can provide workshops for members, but most group leaders should be sufficiently confident after attending a one-day (or equivalent) workshop, to supervise their members using a webmag.

There would of course be a need for group leaders to direct or provide opportunities for members to practise adding content to the webmag.

If published on the web and Internet access is available from home then this preparation time and later submitting of webmag contributions need not impact on already planned group activities.

Wynchcote Webmag Workshops can be hosted in local schools, libraries and community centres. We will gladly assist with contacting local organisations on your behlalf.

What would group leaders need to know?

Group leaders would need to know how to:

1) add, organise and delete webmag articles contributed by members;
2) publish and unpublish articles;
3) link menu items and content together (webmag navigation);
4) insert images and other media (audio and video) to the webmag;
5) link content to external sources;
6) create, manage and delete webmag users.

What would group leaders and members NOT need to know?

There is no need to learn about web design or database management. If you are interested then you may like to find out more about dynamic websites and how they are built.

Most users will however be content with having the power to drive their project forward through the familiar interface of the excellent WYSIWYG editor incorporated with the webmag installation.

Are there opportunities for older group members to help younger ones?

Definitely!

Wynchcote webmags provide a great opportunity for developing young leaders.

Active Citizenship

Webmags will ensure that your members are actively engaged in taking greater responsibility – the best way for younger members to prepare for adult life.

Outreach

The forging of closer relationships between members from different communites and even from across the world can be enhanced through webmag collaboration.