Virtual Learning Environments » update

SL Presence Project: HIV still a big deal campaign

ReBlog — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

More on media uses to raise awareness. See this HIV campaign using video and a storytelling format:

Originally from http://vlegroup9.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/hiv-still-a-big-deal-campaign/

Screenshots of Facebook pages

ReBlog — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Both pages are published on Facebook:
Globalhood
Global Potential

Originally from http://changingfaces.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/screenshots-of-facebook-pages/

Facebook Project Progress Report

ReBlog — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

1. What has been accomplished so far?

Research for sites, Globalhood, Global Potential has been done
Plan was generated
Globalhood agreed to the plans
Pages have been opened
Photos have been posted and linked up
Global Potential Blog is being maintained

2. What will be accomplished by the end of this semester?

Networks will be linked up
Application will be opened
Final channels will be hooked up for video
Staff will be trained to run the pages
Plans with goals will be set for the Globalhood organization to further their progress
Global Potential kids will be trained to start alumni network

3. If in order to realize all the project objectives, you may need to extend the deadline, then what goals will be reached by the end of the semester and what goals will need to be extended? – due to the DR return on 8/15

Staff will be trained to run the pages
Plans with goals will be set for the Globalhood organization to further their progress
Global Potential kids will be trained to start alumni network

4. What platforms has your group utilized to communicate and collaborate with each other and with the other groups? What has and hasn’t worked, and why?

SL integration – still working on this
Cell phone integration – this was cancelled due to the Cell Phone group shifting focus

5. How have you been documenting and sharing project work?

Blog, Emails, Facebook messages, Skype, AIM chat, in person meetings

6. What resources have you tapped into, to achieve your goals?

Other groups on Facebook
Other groups within Globalhood
Internet Research of new technologies
Suggestions from other groups and class professors on technologies

7. What would help to realize your group’s project?

The kind of exposure that Globalhood and Global Potential get as a result of this online.

Originally from http://changingfaces.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/progress-report/

Web Team Project Progress

ReBlog — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

1. What has been accomplished so far?

Our team has started gathering information related to the organization.
Analyzed current site architecture
Created a wire frame as a starting point for the new site
Been in contact with other members of the class to integrate other projects
Been in communication to delegate tasks
Obtain necessary software to complete the site
Have started creating new prototypes with a new look for the new site

2. What will be accomplished by the end of this semester?

Will have a new site running on a testing server for the organization to review and approve
The new site will integrate media such as photographs, videos, and any other material relevant to the users
Other social media elements will be integrated to the website such as facebook and flickr for users to contribute and participate

3. If in order to realize all the project objectives, you may need to extend the deadline, then what goals will be reached by the end of the semester and what goals will need to be extended?

Out team will try to finalize the homepage with a new look and layout and create a template that can be implemented in the future by members of the organization. We will provide the tools and documentation so the transition is as smooth as possible or offer consulting/pro-bono services after the semester ends.

4. What platforms has your group utilized to communicate and collaborate with each other and with the other groups? What has and hasn’t worked, and why?

Email, blog, telephone and skype.
We haven’t created a seismic trail yet.

5. How have you been documenting and sharing project work?

We are keeping track of information relevant to the project on our blog.

6. What resources have you tapped into, to achieve your goals?

Personally I have gone back to past projects that I have created on my work and other school assignments. I also visit web sites with relevant information regarding social marketing (I have posted links on our blog for others to see).

7. What would help to realize your group’s project?

Ideally it would be great if one of us could go to New York and meet in person to add a more realistic feeling to the overall project meeting with other members of the class and the client, but I understand that might be a challenge.

Originally from http://webteamsocmark.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/project-progress/

Cell Phone Project: Update Friday 7/11

ReBlog — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Cell Phone Project
Progress Report

Description of the Project

Distributing weekly text message updates to the families serviced by an organization, within the Globalhood Potential Family, called Bushwick Impact. The organization provides services to families in the neighborhood from all different ethnic and cultural backgrounds: Puerto Rican, Indian, Haitian and Dominican, among others. The organizations services parents with children up to 8 years in the areas of childcare, literacy and orientations and referrals regarding housing and health issues.

The Organization seeks to provide updates to the families regarding activities and events at the Center. In addition, they’re interested in gathering information from the families regarding the quality of their services and if they require additional services.

Challenges

1. Costs

The organization is concerned that most of their members have pre-paid phones and will be charged up to almost a dollar per text message.

2. Technology

The organization’s online information manager does not have the capabilities to handle mobile.

Status

1. Content

Regarding content, the Organization has provided us with the calendar of events that would potentially be distributed to a core group of parents that the organization will identify that have mobile phone contracts that allow them to receive text messages without additional costs.

2. Technology

Investigating with mobile management company called 5thfinger.com and are waiting for further input, but have identified several options that might offer

services that would fulfill the organization’s needs.

http://www.3jam.com/index.php
http://www.xpesms.com/
http://www.pombity.com/default.aspx

3. Costs

Investigating software companies that allow sending messages from a computer, which could potentially allow for tracking and reimbursing this may work. As it is manually handled, it would require the organization to identify a volunteer that could manage it.

Bushwick Impact (BI) Mobile Updating System

What has been accomplished so far?

After meeting with BI, we realized that discovering an adequate distribution model was/is the primary goal and difficulty. We are in the process of devising a system that reimburses the target audience for SMS updates.
2. What will be accomplished by the end of this semester?

We have come across a couple marginally okay options. If BI wants to work with these then this can be done by the end of class but maximizing participants will take time.
3. If in order to realize all the project objectives, you may need to extend the deadline, then what goals will be reached by the end of the semester and what goals will need to be extended?

The simple updates might be done by the end of the semester but we also discussed producing surveys. That is very long term.
4. What platforms has your group utilized to communicate and collaborate with each other and with the other groups? What has and hasn’t worked, and why?

Our group is pretty old school. Email, text, and face-to-face.
5. How have you been documenting and sharing project work?

Blog. Email.
6. What resources have you tapped into, to achieve your goals?

Online research and tapping into contacts with more experience.
7. What would help to realize your group’s project?

Money. Not a lot. But some.

Originally from http://domrepmobiletxt.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/update-friday-711/

Globalhood Ethnography Project: Progress Posting

ReBlog — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Accomplishments:

Our group has devised and implemented a lesson plan to help the young adults at Globalhood understand ethnography and the practices surrounding it. Additionally, we have donated cameras and provided questionnaires to the young adults to assist them in gathering data during their time in the Dominican Republic.

Future Goals:

By the end of this semester, our group intends to have representative data of the young adults’ experience in the Dominican Republic. We hope that the young adults will have a better understanding of ethnography, as well as its importance. Additionally, we intend to use the data collected – once analyzed – to the benefit of the nonprofit, Globalhood, to further its goals.

Post-Semester Goals:

We intend to have our data collected and analyzed before the end of the semester. However, should timing/coordination prevent that, we would want to at least have the data collected and work with the young adults on its analysis, intending to reach the goals that noted previously post-semester.

Platforms of Communication:

Our group has utilized multiple platforms for communication and collaboration. We have used in-person, mobile phones, e-mail, digital pictures, blogging, texting and Second Life, and plan to use Skype before the semester’s end. In terms of communication effectiveness, the phone and Second Life seem to work the best, as they exist in real time. Face-to-face has been effective for two of our group members, as both live locally in the New York City area. However, the third person in the group is located on the West Coast. As such, it has been more challenging to integrate her into the in-person requirements, such as meeting with the director of the nonprofit organization. To compensate, we touch base with each other via the listed alternative methods so that everyone is knowledgeable about the events.

Documenting and Sharing Work:

In terms of documenting our work, our group has kept our blog up-to-date, and we continually e-mail each other with information, notes and items of interest as they arise. Since ours is data-driven, we are awaiting the return of the young adults before we will have a substantial amount of materials to share.

Resources:

Our group has used the Internet and our class readings to develop our project. Additionally, we have communicated in-depth with the nonprofit organizers, our teacher, guest lecturers and each other.

Realization Assistance:

The biggest help to our group in terms of being able to complete our project would be to have time with the young adults upon their return from the Dominican Republic. This time would allow us to review the data they collected and to help them analyze it, as well as to help the nonprofit find ways to use it to their advantage.

Originally from http://4globalhood.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/progress-posting/

Globalhood Ethnography Project: Participatory Research Revised

ReBlog — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Social Marketing

Participatory Research

THE PROBLEM

The problem our project is addressing is how to gather and analyze data. Specifically, asking how Globalhood’s participants can develop and analyze tangible data about the effectiveness of their efforts. The participants of this program include first-generation American young adults of low-income urban families and marginalized rural communities in the Dominican Republic. The focus of the program is to help young people and communities develop new perspectives on social welfare, life skills and community.

Globalhood advocates change of perspective. Many of the participants are from low-income areas, often receiving assistance of some kind (socially, governmental, etc). This program’s aim is to empower those who receive help to give help and education to others less fortunate than themselves. Our project will attempt to cultivate these efforts into measurable results.

POTENTIAL BARRIERS

Barriers for our program implementation include properly educating the young people in the technology and processes involved with ethnography. Practical barriers also include access to the young people, including before their trip to the Dominican Republic and afterwards. Additionally, barriers may include making data collection interesting for them, as well as determining what to analyze.

WE ARE SELLING AND TEACHING…

An opportunity to teach technology as well as data collecting and analysis.
How to read information as researchers.
How to sell Globalhood’s message based on the data they collect and interpret.
They will become active participants in the marketing of the program in which they are involved, the reward then being a sense of ownership, investment and responsibility toward the program and its message.
A more developed perspective about their surroundings and the communities in which others live.
How to set objectives and measure their efforts.
How to teach others the ethnographic skills they are practicing and have learned.

THE COMPETITION

Competitors to this project include other groups in our Social Marketing class as we are all working to drive results for the same organization. Which is admirable in theory but somewhat chaotic and repetitive from a management perspective for the organization. To combat this, one proposed solution could be to work in tandem with the other groups. More specifically to Globalhood, though, are other nonprofit organizations that have increased funding, resources and marketing programs in place already.

ENGAGING AND EFFECTING

Participatory research will assist young people in focusing attention on how their efforts can affect others. With research and analysis, the young people will be able to develop additional perspective on their community and others. With this new perspective, the young people can take a more involved approach to community involvement and activism. We’re asking them to step out of the world they know and put forth new ideas to handle a situation through proactive interaction. Their attitudes and behaviors will be affected by this new process and corresponding tasks. Specifically, through ethnography, the students will be able to quantitatively see the impact of their efforts. Secondarily, the young people can implement those results into positive buzz for Globalhood, making the program’s initiatives more developed and marketed.

HOW YOU’LL KNOW WE ARE EFFECTIVE…

The measure of our project’s effectiveness is two-fold. The effectiveness of what the young people learn from us as well as the value of their ability to teach to their own students in the Dominican Republic. As we teach the young people about ethnography and empower them with the skills to gather and analyze data, subsequently they get to implement those skills, as they will have to teach their own lessons. Our effectiveness will also be part of the measurable data analysis.

OUR PLATFORMS

We have chosen to utilize multiple platforms including photography, video, paper logs and electronic blogs. Photography will be included in the first part of the teaching, as a way to assist the students with the transition of participant to researcher. Daily logs and blogs will help the students to clarify their efforts, as well as put their data in a specific location. As ethnographers, data is paramount, so we want to empower the young people with as many resources as possible. Observations are a key component.

THE STEPS

Remaining Steps needed to develop and complete this project:

Phase One – PRE-EXCURSION:

Submit revised proposal to Globalhood for review
Receive approval from Globalhood
Participate in Panel discussion of student’s independent projects (6/30)
Supply students with tools (cameras) for their trip (6/30)
Set post trip agenda for return meeting, develop lesson plan,
Meet with young people, instruct them in ethnography, provide project details for measurable exercise intended to familiarize young people with ethnography tactics, training (completed 6/24)

*Please note that this may have cost implications, TBD

Phase Two – POST-EXCURSION:

Collect and develop film (upon return)
Follow-up meeting with young people to discuss data collected and collectively analyze
File and data sharing with other Social Marketing groups, as information maybe helpful across groups. As to not duplicate efforts, encourage efficiency of projects and time limitations

Project Roles:

Each group member will be a part of each activity, with the exception of attending in-person meetings. Billy and Emogene will attend all meetings, as they are local to the nonprofit. Sarah will handle administration and the blog, as she is located on the West Coast.

Timeline:
June 24, 2008: Pre-excursion training with young people (focus on the meaning of Ethnography, tips, etc.) DONE

June 27, 2008: Meet with Globalhood Coordinator to submit revised proposal and discuss next steps

June 30, 2008: Pre-excursion meeting with young people (focus on independent projects and distribute cameras for observations during trip)

July 2008: Post-excursion follow-up with young people 2-3 days after their return from DR (focus on their data and analysis)

WE ARE…

Project contributors are Sarah Haas, Billy Paretti and Emogene Shadwick

The Project manager is Emogene Shadwick.

Originally from http://4globalhood.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/participatory-research-revised/

Web Team Project: Main Ideas and Communication Techniques

ReBlog — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Goal – This semester we will be working together on web design issues. Mainly we will work with these organizations titled HAF (Hispanic Aids Forum) and its sub group page titled LYIA (Latino Youth in Action). Our plain is to implement a more user friendly interactive menu selection that links the two sites together better. We want to have better access through easier media tools such as click to find video and picture galleries. It is our understanding that the main goal of this organization and sub group pages is to give vital health information to youth and people in need. Having better organized tool bar navigation with interactive media links will better achieve this goal. This is our first thoughts; more will come once work on design is implemented.

If this project is not done within the time restraints of class which we feel it can be our goal then is to really focus on ease of user control to links and sources. We basically want to have a lot of health information and make it as easy as possible for user’s to find everything they need.

To collaborate with other groups email was initially sent now skype and second life are being utilized as well as phone conversations. SL and Skype seem to work the best because it allows for one to be at a computer yet talk to others at the same time. It is also easier than trying to set up conference calls.

Documenting and sharing has been done through email and wiki’s.

We have worked a lot with Jason Pine and his connections to media from HAF which have been transferred through email or skype.

Continual SL/skype meeting will help keep the group’s goal in tact.

Originally from http://webteamsocmark.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/main-ideas-and-communication-techniques/

Social Teaching Project: HAF groups meet

ReBlog — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Representatives from Group 1 (Video Instruction), Group 2 (us), Group 4 (Web Team), and Josephine met up in SL yesterday evening, following the meeting with Rafi Santo/Global Kids. We started to address some of the challenges in collaborating between groups, namely time constraints and scheduling. We discussed what might be some more efficient ways to communicate between groups working with HAF in the coming weeks, coming to no solid conclusion…but we did decide to try to organize a real-time SL meeting next Sunday sort of in lieu of the class meeting to discuss group projects. Josephine agreed to organize this with Jason, and send out emails.

We also discussed using Skype to have group meetings in combination with Twiddla (the whiteboarding tool suggested by Josephine) for communicating with each other visually. Currently, it seems easiest to get everyone to meet up in SL, but maybe something to think about for the future.

We briefly discussed ways we might collaborate, but soon decided we would all need to be further along in our projects before being able to address those ideas more productively. Josephine made the point that projects did not have to be “finished” by the end of the semester and that the process was just as important as the final product, though I got the feeling that all of us kind of wanted to have a final product by the end of the semester, if possible.

Some of the things we did discuss:

Group 1: would need a spot on the website created by Group 4, to place or embed a video they are creating with LYIA

Group 2: would need 2 types of spaces for their project on the webpage- 1) a place for social media created by LYIA youth and others (i.e. links to blogs, myspace accounts, etc.), so that they can all be found through a central HAF/LYIA online source; and 2) a space for the online curriculum that will be culled from the classroom curriculum currently being taught by LYIA (this space needs to be open to growth as it may eventually house the entire online curriculum; may possibly incorporate dynamic aspects in the future?)

Group 4: may also be working with other groups, other than 1 and 2? is still working on things…

In preparation for the meeting this upcoming Sunday, I think we agreed to try to make some progress on our projects, and to try to have some materials/prototypes to show others on Sunday in order to facilitate further collaboration between groups.

Originally from http://socialteaching.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/haf-groups-meet/

LYIA Video Project Proposal

ReBlog — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Project Description:

To develop two short videos that will help Latino Youth In Action take their “Gozala” HIV awareness campaign to the next level by bringing their outreach and training to life through digital storytelling.

About Latino Youth In Action:

For more than 11 years, Latino Youth in Action has provided leadership training to Latino youth to fight the spread of HIV. Since its inception, the program has graduated over 300 young men and women under the age of 24 in the South Bronx and Western Queens. LYIA is part of HAF whose mission is to improve the health outcomes of Latinos in NYC who are affected by HIV.

Project Goals:

* Help Latino Youth In Action increase HIV testing and promote awareness and healthy lifestyles by extending their current “Gozala” consumer message through video.
* Develop impactful creative that is relatable visually and through language to the young Latino LGBT community.
* Create a new tool that the organization can utilize as part of their annual leadership training programs.

Tactics:

* Create an apprenticeship environment by working closely with members of LYIA throughout the creative process from concept to completion ensuring that the final product is relatable to youth and conveys the position of the organization.
* Utilize LYIA current “Gozala” branding and messaging as a thread throughout the creative.

“Gozala” [goh-zah.lah] is a Spanish word that conveys emotion and means “Enjoy It!” LYIA has created a campaign called “Gozala” that encourages youth to enjoy their life by being and staying healthy. Their position is that you only live once and they ask their community to do so responsibly. This includes getting tested for HIV because doing so saves lives.

Part of the “Gozala” Campaign is that the organization:

o Offers free, on-demand HIV confidential testing

o Deploys three mobile units staffed with bi-lingual personnel to provide HIV testing during health fairs, block parties, street outreach and other summer festivities.

o Brings “get tested for HIV” messages to multiple audiences, neighborhoods and non-traditional settings to make HIV testing as accessible to as many New Yorkers as possible.

o Sends speakers and materials, including condom packs for men and women, to events and activities citywide to spread the word that all sexually active New Yorkers need to be tested for HIV.

Develop 2 videos that can be used for promotion and training

– The first video will be a :60 spot that can be used as a teaser on their website, social networking sites such as facebook and myspace, for meetings, marketing and public events which encourages testing.

– The second video will be a longer piece that can be used as a training tool as part of the leadership curriculum, creative and messaging is TBD

Participate and capture events and outreach with video such as the Gay Pride Parade, social events, HIV mobile units testing, group skits, interviews, health fairs and meetings to be used as part of the video to express the “Gozala” message.

TIMELINE:

Week of June 23rd
Preliminary meeting with Latino Youth In Action Organization (6/23)
Review Curriculum (6/24)
Meeting to discuss project direction (6/24)
Write 1st draft of proposal
Create Blog

Week of June 30th
Second meeting with Latino Youth In Action to narrow down creative concepts
Develop storyboard and schedule

Week of July 7th
Proposed Shoot Week

Week of July 14th
Finish Shooting
Editing

Week of July 21st
Route 1st cut to Latino Youth In Action
Revise Video

Week of July 28th
Final Cut Delivers
Post video to website, My Space and Facebook and other social networking sites affiliated with LYIA

Originally from http://lyiavideo.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/project-proposal-%e2%80%93-lyia-video-lesson-instruction/