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
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
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
Ian RoweVice president of Strategic Partnerships and Public Policy, MTVI think there’s tremendous opportunity in the technologies we talked about in the prior panel. Incredible in terms of new types of communications – communications between people who already ...	November 5, 2008	expert commentary
Infographic: Social Media’s Impact on Giving in 2012An infographic detailing the many ways social media has helped facilitate online giving in 2012.	December 17, 2012	blog
Internet Technology may help Level the Civic Engagement Playing FieldFlorida Civic Health Index 2009	October 14, 2009	civic health index
Is 2010 the new 1517?In a TEDxPotomac talk, Craig Newmark referenced the reformation of the church based on the work of Martin Luther and suggested this decentralization was occurring again, nearly 500 years later, based on ...	May 20, 2010	discussion
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
NetizensEngaging OnlineA dramatic recent change in civil society is the opportunity to participate via computers and digital networks.	Sep 17th, 2007	civic health index
Network for Good Reaffirms Digital Philanthropy Trends in 2011Insights and Trends on Charitable EngagementOn March 5, 2012, Network for Good released the The Network For Good Digital Giving Index 2011, which provides important insights about digital philanthropy. Key findings include that people seem to ...	March 13, 2012	publication
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

Online Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
’Tis The Season For Solicitationsby Karlo MarceloTechnology and online engagement provide easy access and low cost ways for nonprofits to solicit donations. Mobile apps, celebrity campaigns, and bell ringers have all tried to capitalize on technology ...	December 20, 2010	discussion
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
Can Social Media Reinvigorate American Democracy?There is no question that the rise of social media has impacted the way that American and global citizens interact with one another. The rapid transfer of ideas and perspectives across geographical boundaries ...	July 13, 2011	event reflection
Citizen Superheroes: Is There an App for That?Technology plays an increased role in the way citizens respond to community emergencies and, in some cases, fight back against crime. With so many ways (and likely many more to come) to engage, it ...	February 22, 2011	discussion
Discussion: Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?6 Hypotheses on the Link Between Civic Health and UnemploymentResearch shows a connection between civic health and a community’s ability to weather a recession. We’ve posited 6 hypotheses about why this connection exists, and invite you to join in a discussion.	February 16, 2012	discussion
eCitizenship... LiterallyMan uses Twitter, flickr, blogs, video to share naturalization experienceDavid Chen took both eCitizenship and his naturalization ceremony to a new level when he used social media to share his experience of becoming a U.S. citizen. David used Twitter, flickr, personal ...	March 19, 2010	discussion
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
How Do We Ensure Information Validity?A Civic Connector Commentary by Jim NewtonThe “Civic Connector” is a daily online forum during the 66th Annual National Conference on Citizenship. The September 19 commentator is Jim Newton, Editor at Large of the Los Angeles Times. ...	September 19, 2011	discussion
Is 2010 the new 1517?In a TEDxPotomac talk, Craig Newmark referenced the reformation of the church based on the work of Martin Luther and suggested this decentralization was occurring again, nearly 500 years later, based on ...	May 20, 2010	discussion
Join the Civic Data ChallengeNCoC launched the first-ever Civic Data Challenge to bring new eyes, new minds, new findings, and new skill sets to the field of civic health. The Challenge is part of our larger effort, in partnership ...	July 17, 2012	civic health index

Online Solutions

Title	Date	Type
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
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
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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