training
Video Production Training and Technical Support
Organization:
Grand Rapids Community Media Center VISTA Name:
Laura Craig
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
Trainer/Technician Workplan
Within One week of employment:
- fill out all necessary forms with the Community Media Center human resources department.
- familiarize herself with the employee manual and the responsibilities of her job
- tour and become familiar with the MoLLIE workspace(s)
- be introduced to MoLLIE and CMC staff.
- familiarize herself with the mission, policies, routines, and schedule of the MoLLIE program
Within One month of employment:
- become proficient operating digital video equipment and accessories
- become proficient with the i-movie editing program
- begin field work with clients - schools and NPOs
Within Two months of employment
- understand and accept the responsibilities as team captain
- provide proficiency training for new hires
Project Outcome:
Laura’s year with the Mobile Learning Lab for Information Education (MoLLIE) was characterized by a continued maturing of the of the project, both in its partnerships with area schools and its facility with linking MoLLIE efforts to the area mandated curriculum. Relationships that were begun with area teachers in our first two years of operation continued and thrived. Those teachers that utilized MoLLIe in the first year actively promoted the MoLLIE project to their colleagues leading in turn, to an expanded clientele of teachers in a broader selection of schools.
Further relationships developed that Laura was crucial to: In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) program, Laura facilitated the efforts of local youths at neighborhood associations and community centers in writing, shooting, performing, and editing their own Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on the subject of gun violence prevention. Another partnership that developed this year in which Laura played a key role was a six month project with Wedgwood Christian Services of West Michigan. Similar to PSN, the Wedgwood project involved providing at-risk teens with the tools, training, and means of transmission to create their own mini documentaries and PSAs focusing on substance abuse prevention. Laura demonstrated a particular facility in getting young women to open up and tell their personal stories in a manner that they might not with male trainer/technicians.
Laura’s final, and perhaps most lasting project, done in conjunction with VISTA volunteer Nate Diedrich, has been the production of an eight-episode instructional module series on the MoLLIE method of video production.
Laura Craig went on to work full-time at Portland Community Media in Portland, Oregon, where she supervised the work of Digital Arts Corps Member Nickey Robare.
Impact Quote:
Laura performed superbly in all aspects of her job with MoLLIE. I am particularly pleased that she is being considered for employment as the project manager of a new MoLLIE-like project in the Pacific Northwest. The VISTA program should be very proud to have Laura Craig-Bennett as an alumna just as we are proud to have had her as an employee and team mate.
Video Production Training and Technical Support
Organization:
Grand Rapids Community Media Center VISTA Name:
Nate Diedrich
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
Nate contributed to the MoLLIE project (Mobile Learning Lab for Information Education) as trainer/technician . MoLLIE provides area teachers and schoolchildren with the training, tools, and means of transmission, to write, shoot, edit, and cablecast their own curriculum-linked video presentations. Nate had worked with MoLLIE prior to his tenure as a VISTA volunteer and was very familiar with the staff, procedures, equipment, and mission of the program.
Workplan
Within One week of employment:
- fill out all necessary forms with the Community Media Center human resources department
- familiarize himself with the employee manual and the responsibilities of his job
- tour and become familiar with the MoLLIE workspace(s)
- be introduced to MoLLIE and CMC staff.
- familiarize himself with the mission, policies, routines, and schedule of the MoLLIE program
Within One month of employment:
- become proficient operating digital video equipment and accessories
- become proficient with the i-movie editing program
- begin field work with clients - schools and NPOs
Within Two months of employment
- understand and accept the responsibilities as team captain
- provide proficiency training for new hires
Project Outcome:
Nate’s year with the Mobile Learning Lab for Information Education ( MoLLIE) was characterized by a continued maturing of the of the project, both in its partnerships with area schools and its facility with linking MoLLIE efforts to the area mandated curriculum. Relationships that were begun with area teachers in our first two years of operation continued and thrived. Those teachers that utilized MoLLIE in the first year actively promoted the MoLLIE project to their colleagues leading, in turn, to an expanded clientele of teachers in a broader selection of schools.
Further relationships developed that Nate was crucial to. In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, Nate facilitated the efforts of local youths at neighborhood associations and community centers in writing, shooting, performing, and editing their own Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on the subject of gun violence prevention. Another partnership that developed this year in which Nate played a key role was a six-month project with Wedgwood Christian Services of West Michigan. Similar to PSN, the Wedgwood project involved providing at-risk teens with the tools, training, and means of transmission to create their own mini documentaries and PSAs focusing on substance abuse prevention.
Nate’s last and perhaps most lasting project, done in conjunction with VISTA volunteer Laura Craig-Bennett, has been the production of an eight episode instructional module series on the MoLLIE method of video production.
Impact Quote:
With his ready wit and disarming personality Nate easily wins over our student clients. Nate has developed into an outstanding teacher, through a conscious effort on his part to constantly look for better techniques and a continual honing of his own considerable teaching skills. He has excellent instincts in the classroom.
Marketing and Outreach
Organization:
ScienceQuest/EDC VISTA Name:
Susan Wong
Program Start:
8/2002
Program End:
8/2003
Project Description:
Susan’s responsibilities required her to split her time between two distinct projects (ScienceQuest and YouthLearn) and she has been wonderful in balancing the work. Susan has played a major role in enhancing the websites of both YouthLearn and ScienceQuest. She was responsible for developing new pages and for maintaining the integrity of existing pages. She played an important role in monitoring the usage statistics of the websites. Her responsibilities also included assisting ScienceQuest participants through a discussion list, and coordinating ScienceQuest trainings. Susan has assisted in the creation and production of YouthLearn’s e-newsletter. She also coordinated a number of special projects for the YouthLearn community, such as assisting applicants to the Beaumont Foundation Technology Grants.
Project Outcome:
The ScienceQuest work plan stayed true to the work Susan did for this project. She assisted with training, provided ongoing support, and documented progress of ScienceQuest teams. The original YouthLearn work plan was ambitious in the tasks outlined, and assumed a full-time VISTA would be placed with the project. Given that Susan has been splitting her time on two projects, tasks on the YouthLearn plan needed prioritizing. Those tasks have been core service enhancement, especially the Website and the electronic newsletter. She has also been involved in market development, by prospecting organizations and current events in the field of youth and technology, and representing YouthLearn at professional meetings. As YouthLearn has evolved quite a bit while Susan has been with the organization, other projects have been added to her responsibilities, such as assisting the communities with special initiatives, and researching the creation of printed publications.
Impact Quote:
Without the support of a VISTA member, we simply would not be reaching the numbers of people that we are today, nor with the level of support that we aim for. It has been an enormous boon to us to have Susan for the past year! After school programs and youth development professionals across the country (and world!) are reaching kids in ways that they might not be able to without these two projects.
The Inland Northwest Community Access Network
Website:
http://www.tincan.org/ Location:
Spokane, WA
TINCAN provides education and support for social, economic and community development for the Inland Northwest region through the use of information technology and interactive media. We create online content of value to the local community;
develop collaborative training and education utilizing online resources; and
collaborate with local partners to provide access to digital technologies for those who might otherwise not be able to benefit from online information
Occupational Training Services Inc./San Diego Community Housing Corporation
Website:
http://www.sdchc.org/ Location:
San Diego, CA
For over 30 years, OTS, an accredited institution, has had a long standing tradition of helping people get a fresh start - a start towards the completion of short-term career training, a better job, a better and more enriching life.
Our clients come from all walks of life, age groups, and educational and occupational backgrounds. What they share is a desire to improve themselves through learning new skills. Whatever your motivation and goals, OTS is here to serve you.
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San Diego Community Housing Corporation (SDCHC) is a housing and community development organization recognized for developing, preserving, and maintaining quality housing developments that support individuals, families, and neighborhoods in reaching their fullest potential. SDCHC’s mission is to: increase, preserve, and improve quality, affordable housing opportunities for working families.
SDCHC currently operates 6 Family Learning Opportunity Centers (FLOCs) located throughout San Diego County. These Learning Centers provide a variety of supportive service programs to over 3,000 families of affordable apartment communities as well as surrounding areas. The FLOCs are located on-site at the complexes with core programs in: Workforce Development, Educational Enrichment, Computer and Financial Literacy.
Heads On Fire
Website:
http://www.headsonfire.org/ Location:
San Diego, CA
Heads on Fire partners with social change agencies and community technology companies to provide technology access and education, primarily for youth, in underserved areas. Most of the work takes place after school and in the summer, at sites around the city.
Activities are divided into three areas:
The [i]-Team provides digital literacy instruction.
ECHOES magazine helps youth use digital technology to document stories of community interest.
This nationally distributed CD-ROM magazine contains multimedia journalism pieces as well as entertainment sections such as music and game reviews.
Working in close partnership with Christina Glavas, of Minds Wide Open, ECHOES provides training in journalism, digital photography, video editing, audio production, and interactive game design.
Participants work on Saturdays to develop their design skills and take part in a global education curriculum project. Themes such as imagery, oral histories, languages, community orientation, cultural heritage, and other international issues are used as a context for the work.
The work includes traveling to different sites to conduct interviews, as well as production and design time spent in the lab.
The ECHOES training is free and open to youth in San Diego between the ages of 14–18. There is an application process, and participants must be willing to make a ten-month commitment.
The Sunscreens series features the digital work of youth in a two-month gallery exhibit, based on an annual theme.
Each show includes a display of pieces on gallery walls, programs of audio-visual recordings, and interactive kiosks display works created for the computer and the web.
The theme for 2004 was artistic statements made either by or about young Californians who are a part of communities in distress. These included communities affected by crime, poverty, gangs, racism, health crises, refugee status, or social injustice.
HandyCapable Network, Inc.
Website:
http://www.handycapable.org/ Location:
GSO, NC
To thrive in today’s world, everyone deserves the opportunity to take advantage of the accessibility that technology affords us. Unfortunately, for low-income families and individuals with disabilities, these opportunities and often difficult to come by.
Handy Capable Network (HCN) assists these individuals, as well as local nonprofit organizations, in accessing technology that had previously been beyond their reach. HCN trains adults with disabilities in the skills necessary to use and repair computers. We strive to create an environment where disabled individuals can learn valuable computer skills, gain self-esteem, and encourage personal growth and independence. For low-income families who do not have access to computer technology at home, we provide them with free or low-cost refurbished computers, and the requisite educational information to fully utilize these exciting tools.
In order for HandyCapable to carry out its mission of helping socioeconomically challenged or developmentally disabled individuals to cross the digital divide, we depend on donations of used computers from individuals and businesses in the community. To learn how you can help, please click here!
As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, HCN installs Microsoft Windows on all of our refurbished computers. Additionally, we format all donated computers to the security standards used by the US Dept. of Defense.
The EDGE Community Technology Center
Location:
Springfield, MO
The EDGE opened to the public in Spring of 2002 thanks to grants provided by the Department of Education (Office of Vocational and Adult Education), The Institute of Museums and Library Services and the Jeannette Musgrave Foundation. The project is currently supported by the Springfield-Greene County Library District.
The EDGE is a 3,000 square foot Community Technology Center located in the renovated lower level of the 100-year-old Midtown Carnegie Branch Library. The facility contains a 12-computer hands-on training room adjacent to a 4-computer study/demonstration room with tables and seating, a SMARTBoard, and 4 laptops. There is also a small conference room, additional tutoring space and a reception area.
Basic computer software and Internet training for adults is the main emphasis at The EDGE. Self-paced tutorials are available for more advanced software training. Subject specific Internet classes and Workforce related courses are also available.
All sessions are free and open to the public. A printed schedule of all classes is available at any Springfield Greene County Library. Our schedule is also available online.
Mission Statement
The mission of The EDGE Community Technology Center is to help close the digital divide by providing a dynamic, safe and inviting environment where members of the community can come to access the newest technology and/or to acquire the training and support needed to help them use information and the power of technology to improve their lives.
The EDGE fulfills the Library’s mission to provide opportunities for lifelong learning, self-improvement and self-expression and to meet the educational, informational and recreation needs of the community.
Digital Sistas
Location:
Washington, DC
Digital Sisters (DS), Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization created to promote and provide technology education and enrichment for women and children who are traditioanlly underserved.
If the technology field is any indication of messages sent to women and girls research has shown that women have the least penetration in technology fields. This number decreasing by the inclusion of ethnicity and socio economic factors. Young girls are continuously sent daily messages that technology is “not for them.”
Working through enhance partnerships with community based organizations, corporations, technology centers and local schools, Digital Sisters provides assistance in closing the gender gap in technology that is plaguing single mothers. We have developed and implemented programs that promote needed life skills training and address the impact of the lack of technology skills on families. Our educational philosophy is based on a participatory and interactive learning approach.
By providing support through in and out of school activities, community outreach and professional workshops, Digital Sisters empowers women and girls which further strengthens families.
Our programs focus on the participants’ current goals; talents, abilities and interests, then begin to explore opportunities in technology. Sessions stress acquiring skills and knowledge that enhance self-confidence. Activities include hands-on experiences in the computer lab, speakers, and field trips. All programs are designed to provide technology education, increase awareness of gender equity, develop skills, to assist in personal growth, enhance learning, and to build self-esteem.
Digital Sisters’ programs and services will help participants to gain knowledge that can help to combat the alienation, apathy, discrimination and non-participation in technology related environments for those who are disadvantaged.
We provide innovative programs to assist traditionally underserved communities in creative, expressive and cooperative methods of learning utilizing technology empowerment strategies. Digital Sisters provides opportunities to families and individuals that might not otherwise get assistance every single day!
In addition we provide program planning and technology curriculum development for local schools, community technology and learning centers utilizing our technology empowerment strategies.