Spring 2011 Class Schedule

Tuesday, 3/29/2011
6:30-8:00 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES - LEARNING HOW TO CONFIGURE YOUR FACEBOOK SETTINGS FOR SECURITY AND PRIVACY

In this class we will walk you through recommended privacy settings in Facebook, and show you how to set more secure levels of privacy and reduce the chance of becoming a victim of hacking, viruses, information collectors and identity thieves.  The class is for current Facebook users but non-users are also welcome. There's a hands-on component and Wi-Fi is available in the lab.  The first 7 registrants can use the lab's desktops.  Others are encouraged to bring your own laptop.

This class will offer an overview of Facebook for beginners, including such topics as: social networking, the pros and cons of Facebook, and how it can be used.  We will also discuss privacy and security issues.  As an exercise, we will help students set up accounts on Facebook (note: you must have an email address to set up an account). There's a hands-on component and Wi-Fi is available in the lab.  The first 7 registrants can use the lab's desktops.  Others are encouraged to bring your own laptop.

CREATING YOUR OWN WEB VIDEO

You have shot some fine video footage on your camera but how to you get it onto the web? Want to put your video on YouTube or your own website?  This class will cover the steps and some of the options for getting video from your camera to a viewable video on the Internet. Need to do some editing on your video? This step will be discussed too.

CUTTING THE CABLE

Join the revolution: learn how to drop expensive cable or dish service and get your video from the web. We'll talk about how you can watch everything from new-release movies to network shows to city-council meetings without dishing out for the dish or cable.

SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES - TWITTER 101

Interested in learning about Twitter but don't know where to begin or how to use its many features? This class will provide an informative introduction and overview.

SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES - TWITTER HANDS-ON WORKSHOP

This class is for beginners.  Enrollment in Twitter 101 recommended but not required. Please note that access to a web-based email account (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo are fine too) will be needed if you wish to create a twitter account during the class. There's a hands-on component and Wi-Fi is available in the lab.  The first 7 registrants can use the lab's desktops.  Others are encouraged to bring your own laptop.

WEBSITE CREATION USING SimpleSites 2.0

DCN's Webteam, led by Steve McMahon, developed SimpleSites version 2, a web tool that provides the power of a modern, interactive website in a ready-to-install template. SimpleSites, recognized for its ease of use and value to nonprofits, earned a National Grassroots Techie Award. In this class, learn to build a website using SimpleSites. No previous web authoring experience necessary. See examples.

SPECIAL WEBSITE TOOLS IN SimpleSites 2.0

This class will focus on features and tools not covered in the SimpleSites 2.0 class. Learn how to use SimpleSite tools to integrate seamlessly with social networking tools, create slide shows, web forms, manage data, add blogs, maps, videos, RSS, a Mailman subscription form, etc. Knowledge of SimpleSites 2.0 preferred but not required.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR NONPROFITS

Look Before You Leap: Choosing the Best Communication Tools for Your Nonprofit

Does your nonprofit organization want to make a greater impact, involve more people or raise more money? You can if you get better at reaching out, telling your story and getting people to notice you. This is what strategic communication is all about. There are a lot of tools out there designed to help you communicate with your various target audiences. Some are traditional (like press releases and direct mail), some are new like social media (Facebook, Twitter). What tools are best for you?

EMAIL LIST MANAGEMENT WITH MAILMAN 

A Mailman List is a very effective way for an organization to communicate with any size group -- boards of directors, project committees, memberships, supporters, or other constituents. Learn how to manage all your email lists with Mailman.

WEB CALENDAR CLASS

This class offers instruction on use of the Web Calendar, a tool also developed by DCN's Webteam. The Web Calendar can be installed on an organization's website to help promote its events and activities and can also link to a master Community Calendar hosted on DCN's site. This Community Calendar can be viewed at http://events.dcn.org. 

More classes may be added based on demand and instructor availability.  Please contact admin@dcn.org if you have any questions.