Innovative Collaboration for Development 2nd Trimester 2016
The course Innovative Collaboration for Development is an initiative of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
It focuses on capacitating development professionals to adequately use the potential of social media tools to enhance the efficiency of their work, increase the outreach of their organizations, and contribute to the improvement of the effectiveness of the social issues they work with.
The overall goal of the course is to empower development professionals to recognize the potential of social media and to make innovative use of these tools to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and reach of their work. The course therefore gives participants the opportunity to use and analyze social media tools in light of their adaptability to specific workplace contexts.
Participants will be able to recognize the role of social media in changing the way that information is created, organized, shared and accessed. They will have an opportunity to use some popular social media tools; analyze their utility; identify their adaptability to specific contexts at the workplace; and compare the utility of various applications after analyzing the context of usage. Participants will also be able to recognize the importance of issues such as security, privacy and intellectual property rights while using social media applications.
2. Introduction to Social Media: Introduction to notions of Social Media Tools and reflection on their utilization to enhance the work in a development organization.
3. Collaborating on the Internet: Introduction and utilization of social networking sites and other groupware tools.
4. Contributing to the Internet: Introduction and use of tools such as blogs, microblogs, video and image sharing sites and podcasts.
5. Aggregating Content on the Internet: Introduction and employment of social bookmarking sites and RSS Feed readers, and identification of their adaptability to specific contexts.
6. Building your Toolkit: Developing a social media strategy for your own organisation by generating communication objectives, taking into account aspects such as the target audience and adequate tools for the message you wish to send.
The course is composed of six modules that present social media concepts and tools. Materials are divided into three learning elements. The primary courseware introduces participants to social media concepts and tools while secondary and tertiary courseware guide participants to practically work through a series of tasks. These hands-on tasks, which allow participants to explore content through various media such as interactive lessons, thought-provoking videos and tutorials for applications are the key elements of the course. Participants are required to utilize social media tools in a context that simulates their work environment. The course has a strong collaborative nature, including activities such as peer-reviews and discussion groups to facilitate learning. An online tutor guides participants through their learning experience, including facilitating collaborative work and knowledge exchange throughout the course. Participants who successfully complete all the activities and assessments receive a joint UNITAR/FAO certificate.
The course is targeted to development professionals interested in finding inexpensive solutions for knowledge sharing, networking, and managing projects by utilizing Social Media tools in their working environment.
Technical Requirements