In today’s digital world, a web editor plays a vital role in ensuring that an institution’s online presence is engaging and keeps up with the evolving digital landscape. This requires a solid understanding not only of the content to communicate but also of the tools available to them. Recognizing the importance of fostering a sense of community and collaboration among its web editors, UTSC’s IITS organizes Bi-Weekly Web Drop-in sessions. These sessions serve as a forum for web editors from across the UTSC campus to come together, ask questions, share ideas, and gain insights into web tools and techniques.
The primary goal of these sessions is to create a space for web editors to connect with their peers and the IITS web team. Keeping in mind the busy schedules of the participants, these sessions offer a flexible format that is very informal and casual. The hour-long sessions occur every two weeks, where all UTSC web editors are invited to ask questions or discuss challenges they may be facing. In cases where there are no immediate concerns, the sessions feature presentations or demonstrations. “These presentations are curated based on some of the most commonly asked queries or requests received by our IITS Web team or raised in previous drop-in sessions. From highlighting specific web tools, showcasing useful tips and techniques to inviting guest speakers, we try to make sure that the topics we discuss are relevant and engaging to the web editor community,” says Andrew Egan, Manager, Web & Digital Media.
These sessions are quick and provide the UTSC web editors with a focused learning experience while being a consistent resource available when they need any assistance. Web editors can drop in and leave as their schedules permit. The invitation to attend is initially extended to all web editors, but it is an open invitation, and invitees are encouraged to share the invitation with colleagues who might benefit from these sessions. “The IITS web team’s regular drop-in sessions are my go-to place to learn about trends and what’s coming. It encourages discussion and helps in understanding what the needs are within the community. The format is great; if I’m extremely swamped and I have one question, I can hop on, get my question answered, and hop off,” says Nancy Masocco, Communications Officer, Office of the Vice Principal Academics & Dean.
Beyond their informative aspect, these sessions have cultivated a sense of community among web editors at UTSC. They can connect, collaborate, and empathize with peers who are facing similar challenges. “On the UTSC campus, a large number of people have roles that involve communications in some way. It may not be their main role. These sessions help in building a supportive environment where they can drop in and voice their questions, while also knowing that there is a safety net ensuring that they are not alone in their roles and challenges,” says Jennifer Gruden, Web Content Strategist at UTSC.
The IITS bi-weekly web drop-in sessions offer a space for learning, sharing, and building a sense of community among staff responsible for maintaining UTSC’s online presence. If you are a web editor at UTSC or simply interested in being a part of these sessions, reach out to Andrew Egan at andrew.egan@utoronto.ca and mark your calendar for these informative sessions.