BROSDI Encourages the Use of web2.0 Tools

21 March 2008

Blogs ? we use these platforms for knowledge sharing withn each of our program interventions
education: a childrens blog aiming to build confidence and self esteem of especially orphaned children through sharing ... . They have also used this platform to conduct constructive debates and share their experiences when ever they can. Formerly, it was at http://360.yahoo.com/hope_childrens_club but today, the blog has migrated to http://childrensclub.wordpress.com

agriculture: a platform where farmers share knowledge on better farming methods using local content ... http://celac.wordpress.com,
health: this is a platofrm for youths to share knowledge on issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS and reproductive health right
success stories: the newest of our blogs, this platform reflects our interventions in the communities that we serve... http:successtories.wordpress.com

Websites ? we have two informational websites. The organization website, http://www.brosdi.or.ug, which avail information on BROSDI?s involvement in the community, it has a Resource Hub that provides links to information in relation to her scope of work. The CELAC (Collecting & Exchange of Local Agricultural Content) Project website http://www.celac.or.ug displays weekly updated information concerning farming techniques using local content that result into improved farm output. These are database driven websites.

Wikis ? BROSDI uses the wiki to develop and store organization documents. We also use them to develop training materials. these ar handy to us because a bigger percentage of the staff are field workers and normally off our desks. We started of with brosdi.wetpaint.com but have now migrated to http://www.brosdi-uganda.wiki.zoho.com

Computer ? this is an essential tool used in development of the website designs, informational brochures and newsletters as well as access to the Internet for further use of more e-tools.

RSS ? this has been placed on the main website and all other social online networking tools with intention of alerting the people that have activated it of the frequently updated digital content. The notion to add this feature on the site was a result of the Resource Hub section.

Email ? these are one to one emails sent or one to many in the form of dgroups.

SMS ? Short Message Sending is used to send SMS to the farmers on a weekly basis (every Monday). Also, the farmers use this method to advise other farmers within the growing network. The CELAC Project has a growing database network composed of phone numbers of farmers, government leaders, NGO Staff, etc from both within and out of Uganda.

Telephone ? use for two way phone calls amongst the farmers, project and company staff. Also, this tool is used by staff to read emails especially when in the field and we are unable to access the Internet.

Google maps ? used by the CELAC Project, http://www.celac.or.ug/map.html to locate the website visitors, particularly in Uganda. Information pertaining the location and specialty of the farmers is added; as well as the phone numbers especially for the middle men and other persons looking for the products.

Flickr ? use of pictures has proven over time as an effective way to relate activities to differing persons. This free service is used by all the BROSDI the programs.

education: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hope_childrens_club

agriculture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/celac_projects

health: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yohaap
general: http://www.brosdi.pixilis.com ... this also has movies of our interventions

Skype ? many times pertinent issues need to be addressed immediately both amongst the BROSDI Staff and with the farmers from differing locations. Skype conferring is used in such circumstances to generate ideas or address pending challenges.

Podcasting ? although this is relatively new to our setting, the importance of audio in terms of knowledge sharing cannot be underestimated. For our Knowledge Fairs we?ve started recording voices, which will be upload on the CELAC Project websites, http://www.celac.or.ug/knowledgefair.html as the repackaged information is received.

Onlile File Sharing ? BROSDI got a World Space Radio from CTA and frequently downloads files that are stored both online and off line. Online, this is at our Development Center and are often used by researchers and research users from mainly teh district headquarters, buluba Hospital and Busoga University. Last year, they were made available online using filesanywhere.com, but we had to stop this because one needed a password to log on. Providing a password meant availing administrative rights and this was complex. This year, these files have been made available online, and can be accessed through http://brosdi.spaces.live.com.

Ends

BROSDI

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