PSA is considering selection of a social learning tool for collaboration on the PSA website.  An effective social learning tool will assist in building the PSA social learning construct (SLC) for the PSA Youth Brigade project.  Useful features needed for successful collaboration include the following:  search engine optimization (SEO) of archived resources, and a forum feature for feedback and development of artifacts.

BuddyPress is a free social learning plugin available on WordPress that offers multiple features for successful collaboration.  The plug-in is available for download from the WordPress dashboard plug-ins.  BuddyPress  includes SEO and a multitude of forum options.

The tool is scalable in adding the options  as needed by Admin.  PSA could start with simple forum features, such as basic login, registration, profile fields.  Next, add features such as activity streams, groups, and more detailed member features  such as avatars could be added.

Support for using the BuddyPress plug-in is available through the network of volunteers responsible for building the plug-in on WordPress.

While recently taking the Carpe Diem MOOC through Swinburne University, the MOOC was offered on the university Blackboard course sites.  The focus of the course is similar to the PSA T3 Project.  Collaborators worked to design an online training course.  The Blackboard forum offered ability to provide feedback and summarize learning while working on a wiki to collaboratively store artifacts.