Tools and Resources
Digital Activist use a wide range of tools and resources when engaging community members and showing them the benefits of using technology. Not least of which is their ability to strike up a conversation, find out what people are interested in and then find something technology can do or something on line that is of interest to each individual.
DAIN has developed a series of engagement surveys to aid Digital Activists in exploring how people are currently using technology, these can also be useful tools if you initially find it difficult to start talking to someone for the first time.
We have several different versions, some have been ammended many times as a result of feedback from Digital Activists:
We have also collated a series of top ten website sheets on a range of subjects, based on feedback from Digital Activists about what have been useful websites for exploring particular topics with a community member. We will be collating and adding them to this page over the coming weeks. If you have any ideas for additional top ten lists or if you know of a particularly good website that we have missed, please let us know.
There are many excellent quality resources out there, sometimes however these are still a step too far for some people to use by themselves. That is where a Digital Activist comes in, someone to help explore and use such resources with you. Some of the more popular external resources and websites used by Digital Activists include:
http://www.onlinebasics.co.uk/
Online basics includes five short modules. They show you how to use a mouse and keyboard, how to email, and how to search for information and stay safe online. With Online basics you can learn and practise your new skills and start enjoying all the fantastic things the internet has to offer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/connect/campaigns/first_click.shtml
First Click and First Click Friends. Using computers and the internet is easier than you think. You can find lots of activities, video guides and printable pages on this website to help you get started and feel more confident.
This is the place to take your first steps online. You can find out all about the mouse, the, and the internet, and get ready to chat to friends with your own email account. From here, the world is your oyster!
Other resources that may be of use to you (as recommended by Digital Activists):
FunderFinder – Access support, blogs and twitter feeds
FunderFinder has two free software applications - Apply Yourselves and Budget Yourselves. Apply Yourselves helps groups write effective funding applications. Funderfinder also has a useful section with links to a range of funding blogs on their website. Click here to download free software applications or here to access more information about blogs and twitter feeds.
BeGrand.net and technology
BeGrand.net has a range of information on technology including how to Twitter, how to text like a teenager and how to use a wii to browse the web, access email and watch programmes on iPlayer. See their website technology pages for more information.
Getting to Grips with Twitter
Steve Stocks – Chesterfield Digital Activist helps people get to grips with Twitter!
Steve’s Blog
Are Macs a mystery to you?
Interested in sustainability or reducing your carbon footprint?
Check out the directgov website for further details. Help keep our planet green.