New Online Learning Resource for NGOs - Building Electronic Communities

Image from Internet Village Motoman project in Ratanakiri Village in Cambodia

The above image is from the Ratanakiri Village project in Cambodia. The village is located in a remote region of Cambodia's northeast.  There are no highways, no electricity, and villagers life a simple life.  But they do have Internet access through five bright red Honda motorcycles equipped with Mobile Access Points and a Satellite uplink.   This is but one case study that I researched as a contributor to the IMARK (Information Management Resource Kit) project.

Both Nancy White and I were both contributors, along with 23 other contributors from more than half-dozen  partners. 

The module we both worked on (not together - independently) is titled "Building Electronic Communities and Networks."   The online course is designed for coordinators and facilitators of established or potential communities as well as individuals with shared interests in agricultural and rural development.   

While much of the advice and examples are shaped for development ngos, particularly smaller ones, it is an excellent way for your ngo to explore the planning and use of online communities as part of your work.   I really like use of storytelling throughout.  It brings the advice to life and probably helps make it stick.  There are also lots of worksheets, mini-lessons, and resources.  And, it is a free resource too!

The module outline can be found here (I contributed to Units 2,3 &4) and Nancy contributed to all five.   There are modules available on other topics as well, including one on management of electronic documents and digitization.  You can also request a CD-ROM version.