Spring 2012 Class Schedule

WEBSITE CREATION USING SimpleSites 2.0

DCN's SimpleSites tool provides the power of a modern, interactive website through the web. In this class, learn to build a website using SimpleSites. No previous web authoring experience necessary. See examples.

ONLINE COLLABORATION - TIPS AND TOOLS

A wide range of free software tools now make it easy to organize large projects among many different people, or small projects involving just a few people, all without leaving the comfort of your web browser! This class includes an overview of many of the available software products that can help your organization work together more efficiently.

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.

PROTECTING YOURSELF ONLINE:  A GUIDE TO INTERNET SAFETY 

Do you know what to do if you get a computer virus, or how to turn off geolocation on your smartphone?  These are two of the topics we will address in this class on Internet security.  Other topics include malware, phishing, scams, identity theft, antivirus and firewall software, passwords, social media privacy concerns, router settings, smartphones, and much more.

ONLINE COLLABORATION - SKYPE FOR BEGINNERS

This class provides an overview of Skype for beginners.  Skype allows users to communicate nationally or internationally at little or no charge -- by voice, video, and instant messaging over the Internet.  As an online collaboration tool, Skype has features like file transfer, and videoconferencing.

Jan Meizel

DIGITAL IMAGE BASICS FOR WEBSITES AND PRINTS

• You pulled up the website you're responsible for and had to get a cup of coffee before the images finished loading.

• Volunteers called to complain that the photos in your organization's last newsletter made them appear much skinnier/fatter than they are in reality.

• Your computer predicted it would take 3 days to email/upload your 1-page flyer for tomorrow's event to the copy shop.

If you've found yourself in any of the above situations, join us for this beginners workshop on the basics of digital images. When you leave the class, you'll have a conceptual understanding of how a digital image is stored, what factors affect image size and appearance, tips for managing images and tools you can utilize to ensure your images are ready for printing and/or posting on the web.

EMAIL LIST MANAGEMENT WITH MAILMAN 

An email 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.

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?

WEB CALENDAR

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.