Web basics and website building

New Web Widgets

corik — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:03:13 -0500

Teaming for Technology

lauran — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:59:04 -0500

Teaming for Technology (T4T) is an initiative of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. T4T offers a unique set of services as a provider of both nonprofit technology assistance and community technology access solutions.

Using Technology to Run Your Program

lauran — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:02:37 -0500

Even the simplest technologies, such as e-mail and word processing, can create incredible efficiencies when operating a service or volunteer program. More and more programs are realizing the benefits of an internet presence and of the opportunities offered by internet-based volunteering and fundraising sites. Keeping pace with the new world of Web 2.0 and properly maintaining technology in the workplace requires well-educated staff and ongoing training. Following are some of our most relevant resources related to this topic.

Designing with Web Standards (Second Edition)

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:18 -0500

Full-color guidebook for creating sites that load faster, reach more users, and cost less to design and maintain. Explains how web standards effect search engine friendliness and how the Web 2.0 applications have reinvigorated the medium as well as the online marketplace. Includes new techniques for making CSS layouts work better across multiple browsers and for making web content more accessible.

HTML and XHTML Pocket Reference (Third Edition)

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:18 -0500

Comprehensive reference for every web designer, developer, and programmer. Compact yet comprehensive, this new edition has quick, ready answers when working with web standards. Features an alphabetical listing of every element and attribute in the HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0 Recommendations, descriptions and markup examples, useful charts of character entities and DOCTYPE declarations, and a brief summary of HTML and XHTML fundamentals, including key differences.

Searching and Researching on the Internet and the World Wide Web

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:16 -0500

Uses a cross-browser, cross-platform approach to teach information specialists how to find information on the Internet. Describes different types of resources (search engines, subject guides, and specialized databases) and incorporates step-by-step activities using each of them. Provides efficient and effective searching techniques. Includes diskette containing HTML versions of exercises in the book.

Cascading Style Sheets: The Definitive Guide

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:16 -0500

Teaches web designers how to use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to enrich the visual appearance of their web pages, improve accessibility, and save time and effort. Topics include selectors and structure, units and values, fonts, colors and backgrounds, boxes and borders, and visual formatting. Offers a detailed review of aspects of CSS1 and CSS positioning, as well as an overview of CSS2.

HTML in Action

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:14 -0500

Provides the basics of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), including forms, tables, graphics, and background. Continues with multimedia and the Web, animation, and the use of Acrobat for viewing documents.

Using a learning management system to offer low-cost online training

pingv — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:11:36 -0600

Delivering valuable training with budget constraints is a challenge for many national service programs, especially those with members placed at multiple sites across a wide geographic area. The proliferation of electronic, computer-based tools makes online distance training not only possible, but often more accessible and meaningful for participants. One type of tool that holds particular promise is learning management system (LMS) software that allows educators and trainers to develop and deliver classes online. Moodle, an open-source learning management system, has been used successfully for online training by staff at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Erich Stiefvater, Program Advisor at LEARNS, submitted this effective practice in December 2006.

Utilizing a content management system to increase your organization's web presence

pingv — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:33:30 -0600

Staff of TECH CORPS Texas needed an effective way to manage website content without having a dedicated IT person. Additionally, the organization needed the system to include a variety of features, such as the ability to create reports, upload documents and pictures, and accept donations. By implementing a content management system, TECH CORPS Texas was able to easily update information on their website, as well as offer a range of other items. AmeriCorps*VISTA member, Tuan Amith submitted this effective practice in November 2006.

Hosting a successful web conference

pingv — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:18:58 -0600

Web-based conferences, or “webinars,” are an effective way to hold meetings and training sessions with colleagues and clients at a distance. In a webinar, participants can sit at their own computers, or watch as a group with a video projector, while connected to other participants via the Internet. Web conference software manages the connections of participants into the webinar, displays content, and provides interactive features such as collaborative editing, polls, and online chat. This effective practice is based on a white paper submitted by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory in January 2007.

Using a database-driven website to connect students with community volunteer opportunities

pingv — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:00:00 -0600

Matching college students with the numerous opportunities for community volunteerism can be challenging without appropriate systems in place. Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA members, serving with the Community Service Learning Center at Grand Valley State University, created a database-driven website to ensure that volunteer matching is easy and efficient. Stephanie Kroll submitted this effective practice in September 2005, based on experiences during her service term.

Using tag lines to attract online volunteers

pingv — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 01:00:00 -0500

Online volunteering can be attractive to potential volunteers because of ease of entry. Applications and interviews can be done online, there is no commute, and volunteering can be done anyplace there is access to the Internet. Volunteers can be young, mature, shy, homebound, male, female, people with disabilities, students, professionals, retired or unemployed. This effective practice offers tag lines created by ServiceLeader.org for use in recruiting this diverse population, and is excerpted from the article ""Volunteering at Your Fingertips" by Mary Merrill. A link to the article is provided.

Hosting an intergenerational service-learning class to provide seniors with marketable technology skills

pingv — Tue, 27 Jul 2004 01:00:00 -0500

As the general population enjoys increased longevity, traditional notions of old age and retirement are no longer applicable, and more and more older workers wish to remain economically active. Other older adults find themselves re-entering the work force to cover rising housing costs and other expenses or to supplement a fixed income. However, some of these older adults lack the technology skills that increase their marketability in the workplace. To address this need, students in a service-learning program at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, train seniors in computer skills. The seniors are then given the help to obtain the jobs that they desire through the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs. Laurel Horta submitted this effective practice in July 2004.

Using a weblog to manage information and promote communication

pingv — Thu, 05 Feb 2004 01:00:00 -0600

Weblogs are a simplified kind of content management system requiring minimal technical skills and little or no financial cost. AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisors serving with Austin Free-Net began using "blogs" to access information for quarterly reports. The blogs also serve to communicate project updates, meeting agendas and other in-house and stakeholder issues. Zafar Shah of Austin Free-Net submitted this effective practice in December 2003.

Using an online auction to raise program funds

pingv — Wed, 11 Sep 2002 01:00:00 -0500

The Northern Arizona Regional Gerontology Institute holds a "Bubbles and Bids" silent auction and wine tasting party annually to raise funds for their programs which include Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents, RSVP, Flagstaff Senior Olympics, and the Flagstaff Association for Lifelong Learning. In 2002, the Institute utilized an online auction service, where they were able to advertise some of their items with a wider audience and with minimum effort. This effective practice from Carol Mandino, Director of the Northern Arizona Regional Gerontology Institute was submitted in September 2002 and describes how to use an online auction to aid in fundraising.

Using a website to recruit RSVP volunteers

pingv — Mon, 08 Apr 2002 01:00:00 -0500

Service agencies have staffing requirements that need to be communicated to volunteers so they know what opportunities are available. Extrapolating from Robert Kennedy's idea that a small ripple culminates in a powerful current, RSVP of Harford and Cecil County, Maryland, created a "ripple sheet" on their website which lists, in bulleted form, local volunteering opportunities. Members of the Volunteer Connection/RSVP use the "ripple sheet" to promote easy access to information for agencies seeking volunteer support and potential volunteers. Likely candidates for volunteerism use the "ripple sheet" to sort through a myriad of information about agencies. Sally Drumm of RSVP for Harford County, Maryland, submitted this effective practice.

Increasing qualified tutor applicants by linking to a university financial aid website

pingv — Fri, 22 Feb 2002 01:00:00 -0600

The America Reads program at the University of Utah created a program website where prospective tutors can learn about the program, get their questions answered, and apply online. The program's site is linked to the university's financial aid office website where all eligible Federal Work Study (FWS) students are directed. Since the program went online, America Reads has experienced a 37 percent increase in the number of tutors recruited and hired. Another result is an increase in summer work opportunities, and most tutors now earn their full FWS award. Submitted by Toni Sage, America Reads Program director, University of Utah, and Dean DeSantis, LEARNS.