NCoC: Online Engagement

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Online Engagement

As technology becomes a larger part of our daily lives, questions have been raised about its impact on our civic health. Does technology force social isolation behind computer screens and mobile devices, or does it provide more convenient outlets to take civic action, stay connected and informed, and express political views?

NCoC believes to address community issues and challenges in any area, research must be collected, discussion must occur, and solutions must be proposed. Here, you can see research, discussion, and solutions associated with online engagement. This is meant to help explain and animate that focus area, as well as facilitate the process of moving from information to action within it.

Online Issues:Research | Discussions | Solutions

Online Research

Title	Date	Type
People Follow The News Less, Although Political Knowledge Seems To Have RisenSigns of HopeThomas Jefferson wrote: “I know of no safe depository of the ultimate power of the society but the people themselves.” This of course depends on people who know enough to be wise holders of ...	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
The Shifting Civic LandscapeRapid advancements in technology and communication are changing how we connect with one another civically. We will need to constantly reassess how Americans are adapting their civic habits to modern inventions.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
The Impact of the Internet on Civic HealthComputer-mediated interactions are more likely to be adding to and supplementing voluntary association than replacing such connections.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
NetizensEngaging OnlineA dramatic recent change in civil society is the opportunity to participate via computers and digital networks.	Sep 17th, 2007	civic health index
Measuring the Effects of Social Media MarketingA tough question came up in a conversation with a visiting group of Danish communications professionals last week — how do you actually measure the effectiveness of social media outreach? At that ...	September 21, 2008	blog
Special Opportunities for Increasing EngagementThis year’s Civic Health Index asked respondents about many forms of civic participation. A closer look at subgroups reveals opportunities for increasing and sustaining their civic engagement.	Sep 22nd, 2008	civic health index
PhilanTopicCan Facebook Replace Face-to-Face?Social Actions founder and micro-philanthropy consultant Peter Dietz recently posted an audio clip recorded at the National Conference on Citizenship on the topic "Can Facebook Replace Face-to-Face?" Moderated ...	October 23, 2008	blog
U.S. Civic Health Shows Broad Decline Amid Signs of Recovery According to First-Ever Index Released TodayThe civic health of the United States has steadily declined over the past 30 years, according to the Civic Health Index, the first-ever index of key citizenship measures unveiled today by the National ...	October 31, 2008	press release
Study to Explore How Social-Networking Sites Influence Voting BehaviorMuch has been written this election season about how the Internet, especially social-networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, has changed the way people access and share political information. ...	November 3, 2008	blog
I’m Ready to Declare a Winner in the 2008 RaceOkay, all the arguments have been made. And I am ready to declare a winner in the 2008 race. The Internet. (The other winner will have to wait until Tuesday night). From the way campaigns connect to supporters, ...	November 3, 2008	blog

Online Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
Social media aids in Haiti earthquake relief and responseFrom Twitter organizing to Google maps to text-to-give donations, the widespread use and application of social technology is altering and facilitating the modes through which Haitian earthquake relief ...	January 15, 2010	discussion
Social Innovation in Civic LifeA 2009 NCoC PanelThis panel at the 2009 National Conference on Citizenship explored the role of social innovation in civic life.	September 25, 2009	video
Social Media and A New Model of Civic Engagement by Nick TroianoWhile there remains a vibrant debate over whether social media is creating new activists or just enhancing the tools used by existing ones, it is clear there has been a fundamental change in the way citizens ...	July 7, 2009	discussion
The Internet: Civic Polarizer or Unifier?There's an old saying, ”Great minds think alike.” Or is that just what we tell ourselves when we find people who think as we do? Sean Parker, William Galston and Joe Trippi conclude their dynamic ...	November 26, 2008	video
Gatekeepers and New MediaDuring the 2008 National Conference on Citizenship, panelists Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution and Sean Parker, Founding President of Facebook, agreed to disagree on the subject of gatekeepers ...	November 20, 2008	video
Can Facebook Replace Face-to-Face? The 2008 National Conference on Citizenship raised this provocative question with Sean Parker, Founding President of Facebook and Bill Galston of the Brookings Institute. Parker and Galston discussed, ...	November 14, 2008	video

Online Solutions

Title	Date	Type
Harnessing Active Citizenship: The Internet as a Tool to Engage the PublicIn Using Online Tools to Engage-and be Engaged- by The Public , author Matt Leighninger describes how a “public manager” can use specific technologies to harness the power of active citizenship ...	June 10, 2011	publication
Causes on FacebookCauses empowers anyone with a good idea or passion for change to impact the world. Using our platform, individuals mobilize their network of friends to grow lasting social and political movements.	February 23, 2010	partner
iCivicsiCivics (formerly Our Courts) is a web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy.	November 17, 2008	partner

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