[staff] Creating a Social Network
Two of my recent past projects have been to create a website, where participants in our OLP programs can communicate with our staff and each other, get information and download resources about the program they are participating in, as well as upload their own creative content to the site. When Barry [our fearless leader of OLP] came to me to ask me to do this, I have to admit I was not that excited about the project, mainly because I had never done anything like this before and was not sure I could actually complete the request. It turned out to be stellar.
Though I did not create either of the websites from scratch, but used a platform that already existed, the websites do in fact have the necessary information; they allow the users to upload their work, glean the information they need to actively participate in the programs and are pleasing to the eye. After I gave the basic skeletal layout for the website, my colleagues filled in the content with the program information. I have to say I am impressed with myself! It is definitely a skill that I would not have otherwise gained, as I have always put “creating websites” into a box that I thought I would never open.
All of this being said, as mentioned, the websites are being used to help harness a network amongst the website users, each having a different purpose: one is for a service learning project, the other website is for teaching social issues through gaming. Creating a social network is something that GK has had some experience with through RezEd.org, where there are currently more than 1,600 members!
I have seen, and more importantly, learned a lot through working with all of these networks. It is interesting to see how one simple website can link so many different people together around a shared issue. And what is even more interesting is seeing those same users learn from each other, as well as from the resources on the website, through this online community about various topics. In addition to more highly visible social networking sites that have popped up on the digital horizon, the websites that I created, can be used as a tool that educators utilize in helping student learn a new issue or topic. It is pretty amazing to see how these new digital media tools are being used as a learning aide.
I am also involved in a community development group based out of my neighborhood in Brooklyn, that I plan to use my new-found skills to create a website that would help get our project “live”. I am still slightly amazed that it took me this long to open this “creating a website” box. Working in a digitally-focused, social issue environment, has definitely given me more tools within my reach – and the best part is, GK has also done this for so many of our GK Leaders.
