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Our
toolbox contains articles, presentations, checklists, links
and activities. More here about the
toolbox organised around those categories, or see below for
tools organised under the different issues detailed in our
Key topics section, and
also in relation to different situation (e.g. centre, organisation)
in the Help for.. sections
Many
of the external links are to the Guide
to Getting Communities Connected which was developed by
the Making the Net Work team for NGFL Scotland.
Getting
started and thinking about technology
Whether you are briefing yourself, or others, you'll need
some ways to explore what the Net can offer in different situations.
Our Starting section provides
guidance and links including the following.
Where
to find out about the Internet, on the Net.
This review of websites about using the Net is on the Getting
Communities Connect site.
The
main benefit of using the Net
A summary of the five Net benefits of information access,
communication, collaboration, visibility and managing effectively,
with links to longer articles by Terry Grunwald.
Exploring
the Net
Here's a link to a suggested scouting expedition to familiarise
someone new to the Net
Avoiding
the technology trap
We offer a matrix to help you think about why changes are
needed on two dimensions at least: both on the technical front,
and in the way that people and groups relate and develop.
Think
about networks - real world and online
Drew Mackie explains the benefits of real world networks,
and how the Net can make them work.
Eight
innovations
Terry Grunwald gives eight ways in which new technologies
can make a difference in our communities.
Characteristics
of community networking
Terry Grunwald offers twelve characteristics of the beneficial
use of new technology in communities.
Planning
and the the development process.
There
seems to be two sorts of processes by which new initiatives
get started: the neatly planned ones which flow along well-defined
pathways..... and the real, messy ones which are often two
steps forward and three back. See the planning
section.
Here
we suggest you do need to plan; that route maps can help,
and there are some common steps along the way ... but we recognise
things seldom turn out as expected.
Process
routemap
Drew Mackie and David Wilcox offer an 'ideal' eight step process
for developing an initiative, with links to some of the tools
summarised here.
Community
audit
Your area may already have many of the resources you will
need for your initiative. Here's a short checklist plus a
longer tech audit categorising different
resources.
Identifying
interests
In the early stages of the development process identify the
key interests who will need to be involved. Here's a checklist.
Understanding
needs
An early step in setting up on online community or centre
is to address the 'why' question... or put it another way,
what are the needs or problems in the community that the new
facility would address? Here's ways of working with a group.
Building
blocks
Many 'building blocks' - some tech, many not - go into developing
an online network. Terry Grunwald offers a checklist of some
you may need.
Planning
sheet
The planning sheet helps identify issues likely to arise during
the different stages of developing an initiative.
Business
plan
Any substantial initiative should have a business plan for
its longer-term sustainability. We offer links to guidelines.
We are also developing a spreadsheet-based workshop exercise
to help group test out assumptions in their business plan
Delivery
workshops
Many initiatives will depend upon the commitment of a number
of partners... but how do you get them to deliver? Here's
how to run a workshop to achieve that.
Drivers
for projects
Our development process suggests that you first prioritise
projects or activities, and then seek project champions or
'drivers' who will work with a group - or 'teamlet' - to take
the project forward. Here's how to recruit drivers.
Summary
of planning tools
Instructions for using the projects game, priorities and planning
sheets together
Priorities
sheet
An action planning sheet to chart timescale against priorities,
for use with the projects game - see below.
Projects
game
Participants in this workshop session choose project
ideas which could best tackle the issues they face. One of
our most successful techniques, developed by Drew Mackie.
Roles
game
Participants take on some of the roles necessary to implement
an initiative. Drew Mackie explains how to run a role playing
event.
Think
about futures
In this fast moving field we have to design for the future
not just play 'catch up' with last years ideas and technology.
How can we drive by the headlights and not the rear window?
Here's some ideas.
Prioritising
exercise
This exercise enable a group to determine which activities
they should concentrate on in terms of both importance and
timescale. It can be used as part of the projects
game.
Teamlets
Instead of setting up conventional committees during the development
process, form small working teams each with a 'driver'.
Ten
Guidelines in Planning a Web site
Planning a web site? Here are some guidelines to help
you navigate the maze of possibilities. Terry Grunwald.
Community
involvement and partnerships
Involving
the community
Terry
Grunwald offers advice on how to involve the community including
5 Reasons why, 10 Guidelines, and 15 Ideas
Guides
to Community Participation and Partnership
David Wilcox provides the full text of two guides at the Partnerships
Online site. The Guide to Effective Participation guides
you through the process of getting different interests involved
in a project. The Guide to Development Trusts and Partnerships
shows how to set up a non-profit organisation...which you
may need if you are creating a local online community or resource
centre.
Technology
Net
tools
Links to sites providing guidance on email, email lists, web
forums, search engines and more.
Developing
a technology plan
These extensive guidelines by Terry Grunwald are particularly
relevant for organisations, but much of the advice will be
useful for those developing centres or other initiatives.
Organisations
Organisational
benefits
Terry Grunwald summarises how the Net can be particularly
useful for organisations.
Guidelines
for organisations
Terry Grunwald's 12 guidelines provide practical tips
on how-to get organisations "over the tech hump" on issues
ranging from decision maker "buy-in" to changing the organisational
culture.
"How
You Doing? " Survey
Terry Grunwald offers a tool for umbrella organisations
who will need to follow-up with their affiliate groups after
they go online. This survey provides questions to ask - to
determine if and how they are actually using it.
Increasing
organisational effectiveness
Terry Grunwald looks at 30 areas in which an organisation
can enhance its effectiveness using the Net
Changing
the culture of an organisation
Terry Grunwald offers some tips on how to make the changes
necessary in the culture of organisation if it is to use the
Net successfully
Questions
and answers
... on many of the problems facing organisations going online
Online
communities and community grids
The
community technology garage
Terry Grunwald explains how the community technology toolbox
has grown into a range of different models. Terry catalogues
the contents from a US perspective - but much will be familiar
in the UK and elsewhere. For the full catalogue see Terry's
taxonomy.
24
indicators for a local project.
Terry Grunwald offers 24 indicators for a local initiative
that is trying to provide a comprensive service.
Evaluation
framework
Chris Dove and Linda Phipps have developed a framework for
evaluating community online initiatives against seven criteria:
creativity, connectivity, confidence, competencies, capacity
building, choice, content.
Reality
checks
What works, what doesn't... what are the stumbling blocks
to look out for in developing your initiative? Some of the
key issues from the Guide to Getting Communities Connected.
Resources:
in kind, funds, training
Places
to look for Volunteers and Technology Resources
Looking in the same old places ( schools, libraries, community
centres) for tech resources in your community? Terry Grunwald
offers a checklist of places to look - including some you
may not have thought of such as fire departments.
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