Course Description
Examines the use of computer applications to consume, manage, analyze, and disseminate public information, improve worker productivity and achieve agency mission. Attention is given to improving students’ technical acumen and to examining important public/nonprofit sector IT issues.
Grading
Technology Explanation / Demo / Presentation - 40%
Explain a key technology tool or issue, optionally comparing two distinct solutions. Share your knowledge with the rest of the class in an appropriate method, ranging from an article explaining a tool, a set of detailed instructions, a recorded screencast, or a video. All material must be shared with the class online and presented during a 10-20 minute session in class.
Example of the type of projects I'm looking for include:
- Explanatory videos by CommonCraft, such as their explanation of RSS.
- Software comparison articles by Idealware, such as their article Comparing Online vs. Traditional Office Software.
- Detailed instructions for a specific task, such as configuring Google Apps for a non-profit organization.
- Instructions for a specific task, such as the CBC Spark program posting on how to set up a blog, in multiple formats, such as text and a podcast format (the segment on "Pat" wanting to learn to blog starts about 19 minutes and 55 seconds into the show).
- Screencast demonstrating the features of a specific tool, such as DemoGirl's screencast of Delicious.com.
2/8: Since a few people asked, YES, the technology tool or issue that you explain DOES need to be related in some way to public/nonprofit sector use of technology.
Presentation / topic engagement (in class, online) - 30%
Active participation in class (by asking thoughtful questions) or online (posting, tweeting, bookmarking, or commenting). Let's use #pa311 as our hashtag for relevant content.
Make sure you're added to the class Posterous account. This will let ANY class member email content that can then
be viewed and commented on by everyone else.
And yes, there will be two in-class tests:
Mid-Term - 15%
Final Exam - 15%
Contact me
The best way to contact me is via email: andy@mnaonline.org or Twitter @awolber. My cell is 313-595-2017 (I greatly dislike unscheduled calls, though). If you have questions or want to schedule time to talk individually, we can schedule a time to meet (either in person on campus or, more likely, via phone or web).
Schedule
January 11 - Introductions; Free & Low Cost Tools; Assignment
January 18 - Livescribe file; Review of PBWorks and Posterous; MLK Day; Tech Essentials; Assignment; In class lab
January 25 - IT at small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations
Guests: Mark Shaw and Adam King, with NPower Michigan (part of Michigan Nonprofit Association)
February 1 - Working Wikily 2.0 discussion; Website Basics; Add your project descriptions after your name on the class list page.
February 8 - FINALIZE PROJECT TOPICS!
Example: What _____(tool/issue)_____ is and how public/nonprofit organizations are using it.
Ideas: Micro/Blogging, Databases, Email marketing, GIS, Websites, Training Tools, Online meeting tools, Client Relationship Management systems (CRM), Content Management Systems (CMS), Event registration/mgmt, SMS, Web analytics, Photo sharing, Survey tools, Podcasting, Wikis, Online video, Web auction tools, Social Media, Online donations, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Evaluation systems, Case management systems.
Databases
Database links
MAP Techworks videos (on YouTube)
OpenGov - the movie.
February 15:
Notes from Feb 8 now live.
Sample test questions. Be prepared to respond to this type of case study/scenario!
Accounting survey findings: Tech Soup reports
Social media study from e-benchmarksstudy.org.
New collaboration tools: Google Wave, Google Buzz
Databases, continued:
Open data trends: http://wiki.openmuni.org/.
10-minute pencast http://hwyt.me/deZL6y.
Salesforce for nonprofits: http://www.salesforcefoundation.org/products/donation
Salesforce Partner Portal info: http://hwyt.me/af3m6n
cVent & Salesforce integration info: http://hwyt.me/8XGQZR
Vertical Response & Salesforce integration examples: http://www.verticalresponse.com/salesforce/use-case.html
February 22 - Mid-term exam
Guest: Dan Aylward, Abilita (discussing telecommunications)
March 1 - Holly Ross, Executive Director of NTEN.org
- Schedule of upcoming presentations
March 8 - NO CLASS / SPRING BREAK
March 15 - Gavin Clabaugh, VP, IT for C.S. Mott Foundation via Skype 6:30
Dialogue about how social media changes work.
Clay Shirky video and notes
March 22 - Discussion of databases -- lists vs. relational databases (issues with tracking, uniqueness, data redundancy, reporting, external data needed)
Guest: Ashima Saigal, GVSU (discussing how nonprofits deal with managing data)
March 29 - Marnie Webb, co-CEO of TechSoupGlobal.org
Links from Marnie, following her presentation:
April 5 - Class projects
April 12 - Class projects
April 19 - Class projects
Misc: www.well.com/yoyow.html
April 26 - Class Projects & Final Exam
Class projects will be presented first, followed by the final exam. Class starts at 6 pm, as usual.
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