In the context of the Athens fieldtrip, we organized a collective mapping workshop to collect data and co-create stories. After walking around the city center, the working team implemented a collaborative mapping workshop with the help of the Miro tool.
Would you like to facilitate a collective mapping activity through Miro? Here you have some steps and tips you to follow.
Image 1. Where to search for templates. Source: www.miro.com
All the templates presented below can be found in the Miro templates or are very easy to create them yourself.
A. Define the goal and co-design the field trip
First of all, define the goals and the specific field you are going to study. Recruit all people interested in participating.
Then, discuss with them:
- Why are you doing this? What is the collective goal of the field trip? (e.g., a virtual field trip, a public space study for future intervention, or a public space narration)
- Where is the field trip taking place? What is the study area (e.g., a suburb, the city center, a specific neighborhood, a route, a public space, or a plot)? What is the scale (e.g., local level, neighborhood level, etc.)?
- Who are the participants? What is their level of expertise and their interests? What is their connection to the field and area of study?
- What data will you collect, and in which format?
You can run this step using Miro templates for brainstorming (idea trees, tables, or voting sessions).
Image 2. Brainstorming ideas. Source: created by commonspace in www.miro.com
B. Data and experience collection
It is essential to be well-prepared. Organize the field trip, study the area from google maps, and explore secondary data. Design the routes and the points of interest to visit, get some water and snacks, charge your smartphone and camera and start walking! Don’t forget to discuss and agree with the participants about the form of data you will collect and how you want to save and store all the information (e.g., images, videos, notes, recordings).
Image 3. Walking around the city during the Athens fieldtrip. Source: Photos taken by commonspace
C. Co-design stories and co-reflect on the narrative
Meet with the participants online or physically. You can work individually or in groups according to the number of participants.
C.1 Create an inclusive and cozy atmosphere with an icebreaker game!
You can find many icebreaker activities in Miro templates or you can design your own. A straightforward introductory game invites the participants to write their names and field of work, along with a short sentence or an emoji that reflects their mood.
An example of an icebreaker game in Miro: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_lE8_ef4=/
Image 4. Ideas for icebreaker games. Source: Games created by commonspace, Emotions Wheel Icebreaker by Anya Dvornikova, Monster Workshop by Nina Torr, www.miro.com
C.2 Discuss the data and pin them on a map or a plan
This is the most important step of the collective process. Define how the participants will upload and pin their data on the map. For example:
- Ask the participants to choose three favorite photographs, sketches, or notes gathered during the field trip,
- Pin those selected items on a map,
- Write a sticky note explaining why they are important/interesting.
Another way of working is to note on a map the positives/negatives/ideas you noticed during your walk.
Image 5. Collective mapping ideas. Source: Created by commonspace in www.miro.com
C.3 Chose data to include in the story
You can run a voting session in Miro. Invite the participants to decide what their favorite input data are. This step helps the group organize their thoughts and allows them to conclude ideas.
C.4 Create a collective narration
Let the participants discuss what they have collected, build consensus on the narration, or identify their perspective on public space. For example, their narration could be “The daily life in the city center” or “Global change and the city”.
Image 6. Ideas of collective narration. Source: Exercise during the Athens fieldtrip. Created by commonspace, www.miro.com
C.5 Present your work to the whole team
Allocate a few minutes at the end of the workshop for each team to present their story in a plenary session. Exchange ideas about the city, the public space, and the narratives. Empower reflection and promote discussion.