Workshops

Workshop Menu

This space will hopefully develop into a resource site where we are able to offers lots of lovely stuff that can't be hosted on the blog.

Below is an evolving workshop menu that demonstrates the direction, focus and potential outcomes form our Digital Storytelling workshops. This is by no means an exhaustive list and continues to be updated as we come across new ideas and approaches. I'll post links on the blog regarding updates to this menu.

Here at GEECS we try and source all our produce locally, using fresh ingredients and innovative techniques we aim to serve you with not only the best dishes we can, but also within an environment where you can enjoy the atmosphere.

Whether you need a full 4 course meal or just a light bite we can accommodate your needs. We are also able to cater for any special requirements you may have.

This menu is changing constantly as we discover new produce, and get new ideas from our guests. Check back soon for the latest special. Or if there's a dish you don't see please let one of our chefs know and we'll be happy to prepare it for you.

TITLE	Digital Storytelling Workshop
TIME	Up to 4 sessions of 2-3 hour sessions
CONTENT	The full DS experience where participants create, record, edit and author personal stories of 2-3mins length.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital literacy • Digital Photography and editing • Audio recording and editing • Video editing • DVD authoring
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content • Advocacy • Evaluation
KEY AREAS OF DI	Key skills are passed on as well as the software needed to continue DS workshops with GEECS support and extended facilitation plus sustainable DI methodology.
SUMMARY	A great, fun workshop that can help participants understand their own ability to have their own voice that fits into many areas of DI that is sustainable and creates a skills legacy.

TITLE	Animation & Storytelling
TIME	1-2 Hours
CONTENT	Participants will be encouraged to engage in story telling through animation. Stories can be stimulated based on cut-out paper words, in a similar manner to the Lucky Dip workshop. Participants will be encouraged to animate the formation of a coherent story using the selected paper words. Due to the nature of digital cameras, pictures of the forming story are numbered sequentially meaning that participants are able to produce the unfolding story which is run against a timeline using the animation freeware. Audio can be added to the animation as an option for longer workshops.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital Photography and editing • Digital literacy • Digital animation • DVD authoring/online authoring
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital Photography and editing • Creative expression through digital technologies
KEY AREAS OF DI	Key skills are passed on as well as the software needed to continue DS workshops with GEECS support and extended facilitation plus sustainable DI methodology.
SUMMARY	A quick workshop that encourages creatively utilising digital technologies that serves as an introduction to the principles of DS

TITLE	6 words, 1 picture
TIME	1-2 hours
CONTENT	A quick way of introducing graphic editing through a creative and fun workshop. The idea is to use only 6 words to describe the story behind a photo.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital literacy • Digital Photography and editing • Using text in graphic design • Printing
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	Skills and software legacy through using freeware approach.
SUMMARY	A quick workshop that encourages creatively utilising digital technologies that serves as an introduction to the principles of DS

TITLE	Lucky Dip Digital Photography
TIME	2-3 hours
CONTENT	Participants draw a word from a bag that describes a subject on which to take a series of photos. The first photo of the series is a picture of the drawn word. After 10-15mins participants draw a new word, photograph that word and the process starts again. Due to the nature of digital cameras, pics are numbered sequentially meaning that on return to the workshop and computers, participants are able to produce a contact sheet (a series of thumbnail images) that clearly shows a narrative in picture form that are accented by the words themselves from the initial picture in each round. The contact sheet can be printed out for display.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital Photography and editing • Printing • Digital photography and composition • Creative expression through digital technologies
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	Skills and software legacy through using freeware approach.
SUMMARY	A fun workshop, part of which can happen outdoors that has relevance in terms of real world use for community groups, organisations and individuals

TITLE	The Disposable Camera
TIME	2 x Sessions: Session1 at 30mins Session2 at 1-2hours
CONTENT	With the proliferation of "instant" digital media, it's sometimes nice to go back to the days when one had to wait for prints to arrive back from the chemist! The focal point of this exercise is once again to encourage narrative through photos. Each member of the group is given a disposable camera and a theme to take pictures around within their local area. The cameras are subsequently collected, developed and on return each participant is encouraged to talk about why they took particular pictures. The final snapshot stories are produced on DVD.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Introduction to the principles of Digital Storytelling and using digital technologies • Community development through creativity • Stories as advocacy • Good opportunity for sustainable development Introduction to familiar offline techniques as creative online/digital community development tools • Photography skills
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	Sustainable approach
SUMMARY	Focus on pictures taken by the participants helps reduce mic-conciousness. Opportunity to investigate and discuss community issues and themes. Sense of excitement as participants are unaware of how their photos have turned out until the recording session. Very creative and produces a range of issues and stories

TITLE	Mobile Phones and Storytelling
TIME	1 hour
CONTENT	Similar to the Lucky Dip and 6 words, 1 picture workshops but using a random event generator for words aimed at familiarising participants with mobile phones as media devices i.e as a camera and text tool. The word is chosen at random via the event generator, the participants take a few pictures using their phones and then SMS/Bluetooth that picture plus the word to other participants or facilitator.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Using mobile phones to take pictures • Getting data from phones to other phones and computers via Bluetooth, USB and SMS
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Familiarity with the potential of new technologies •Communicating through online tools •E-democracy and participation
SUMMARY	Using in your pocket technology to encourage experimentation, creativity and realeasing the potential of everyday tools such as mobile phones.

TITLE	Introduction to Social Media
TIME	3-4 hours
CONTENT	Social Media is a term that has come to represent a collection of digital tools and platforms that allow people to communicate and publish content to the web. Social media is generally represented through platforms such as social networking, blogging, video sharing, wikis and social bookmarking. This workshop aims to explore how social media can be used as well as helping us as delivery agents formalise a training programme.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• What is Social Media • How to develop and implement a social media strategy • Set up and access blogs, wikis, SNS etc • Develop an understanding of how specific training can benefit both orgs and individuals
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Clear outline of training/workshop needs for delivery agents • Content • Promoting online communities which can be aggregated as part of the C2.0 project
KEY AREAS OF DI	• Sustainable communities of interest • Breaking down the barriers to DI through a community led approach • Understanding and getting the most out of new tech in order to directly influence the community form the ground up
SUMMARY	A quick introduction to social media that can really help orgs understand the potential of what we deliver on the ground through a hands on and relevant approach that aims to help individuals and organisations see the benefit of collaborative working not DI as something someone else does

TITLE	Photoshop Workshops
TIME	2-3 hours
CONTENT	Although we always encourage the use of freeware wherever possible, it is often the case that orgs and individuals have a specific piece of software they would like to know more about, such as Photoshop.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Understanding the photoshop basics • How layers work • How to add effects and touch up your pictures • Exporting from photoshop • Introducing graphic design and the end of clipart..
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Clear outline of training/workshop needs for delivery agents • Content • High end software that is very much industry standard and well supported through an online community • Understanding of how software can help design
KEY AREAS OF DI	• Train the trainer sustainablility • Tailored to need and easy to develop • Using multimedia platforms to engage with community activities
SUMMARY	This workshop can be tailored to need and experience and provides participants with a quick outcome that they are free to develop with our support. Always starting from a storytelling point of view, this course also provides an introduction to digital photography and storytelling

TITLE	Fun and Games (Geocaching)
TIME	1 hour +
CONTENT	A workshop based around using GPS-based technology to play games such as hide & seek or to create a treasure hunt. Another variation is to use the technology to inform players about local history and points of local interest within their geographic area.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Using mobile phones to navigate • Using mobile phones to take pictures • Getting GPS data from phones • Local knowledge
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Inclusive use of a sometimes mis-understood bit of kit • Content • Marketing
KEY AREAS OF DI	• Sustainable communities of interest • Breaking down the barriers to DI through a community led approach • Understanding and getting the most out of new tech in order to directly influence the community form the ground up
SUMMARY	A fun & creative way of exploring the potential of mobile phone technology using traditional gameplay methods

TITLE	Infotos in Flickr
TIME	1-2 hours / 1 day
CONTENT	A workshop showing participants how to tag pictures, adding information and stories to digital images which are then shared on Flickr. Variations on the workshop are possible depending on the length of time available. Participants could be trained in the creation and editing of digital images during longer sessions, or for shorter sessions users could use Flickr to find pictures that are meaningful to learn how to add layers of information (stories/information) to digital images.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital literacy • Digital Photography and editing • Adding information to pictures • Publishing to Flickr
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Content • Marketing
KEY AREAS OF DI	Skills and software legacy through using freeware approach
SUMMARY	A fun workshop teaching users to create 'infotos' - pictures that inform the viewer beyond what is shown in the picture itself.

TITLE	SNS (Social Networking Sites) and Storytelling
TIME	1-2 hours (if tied in to an existing SNS development)
CONTENT	Multiple approaches based on the Lucky Dip and 6 words, 1 picture workshops. SNS provide a new and current way to explore storytelling online. The twitterthon encourages participants to tweet a story using only 140 characters on a predefined theme (much like a photomarathon). Can be adapted for mobile phone use too. Dependent on existing SNS within the project but we can also offer short workshops on how these tools can be used for e-democracy etc.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Using SNS tools as part of DI • Familiarity with online tools • Creative application of online tools that can be adapted to suit need
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Familiarity with the potential of new technologies •Creatively engaging and communicating with the online community
SUMMARY	A quick introduction to SNS that's fun and creative, allowing participants to see the potential of these tools in terms of personal and community applications.

TITLE	Skype Stories
TIME	2-3 hours
CONTENT	Participants will be encouraged to engage in story telling through the media of Skype. Stories can be stimulated based on ideas of the Lucky Dip and 6 words, 1 picture workshops. The next stage will be to set up a Skype account (and if participants do not have one, an email account will be set up too, as part of the Skype registration). Skype will then be used as a tool to tell their story to the rest of the group. They can use the webcams, to show images and or objects related to the story in a show and tell approach.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Using online communication tools as part of DI • Familiarity with online tools • Setting up email accounts • Creative application of online tools that can be adapted to suit need
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Familiarity with the potential of new technologies •Actively communicating with online communities
SUMMARY	A quick session that will allow useful skills and online tools to be utilised and understood through a creative approach. Participants will be able to see the potential of these tools in terms of personal gain for communication online through skype and email accounts.

TITLE	Lucky Dip Word stories
TIME	2-3 hours
CONTENT	Participants draw a word from a bag and then this word is to be the first word that they use to begin their story. This will be used as a tool to stimulate a story as a photo or an object may be used. It could also be adapted that the participant is asked to draw out a given number of words and at some point all words must be used in the story. From this, multiple approaches can then be applied to use the results as a basis of creating a digital story.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Basic computer skills (creating folders, understanding OS, retrieving data from external devices) • Digital photography and editing • Printing • Creative application of online tools that can be adapted to suit need • Audio editing (if the relevant approach is used from initial outcome) • Using text in graphic design(if the relevant approach is used from initial outcome)
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Skills and software legacy through freeware approach.
SUMMARY	A creative workshop that encourages innovative thinking around storytelling. It can be used as a short workshop like the 6 words, 1 picture format through to a more in depth digital story session.

TITLE	Lomography Phototography
TIME	2 x sessions at 2-3 hrs each
CONTENT	Very much based on the disposable camera, again the focal point of this exercise is to encourage narrative through photos. A workshop will be provided to experiment with different types of lomo cameras, as they each produce a unique outcome of images captured. The theme will be to take pictures around within their local area, it will be a fast paced event that encourages a flexible approach to photography. In the second workshop, the participants will be given their photographs and will talk about the image results. The images produced may have a very different feel / affect as to why they originally chose to take the image. These images will be able to create diverse and imaginative stories that may end up becoming fictional and fantastical. For more info on Lomography, see THIS LINK. We are also developing digital software to deliver digital photography workshops based on the idea of lomography. Using a plug-in in photoshop to add a 'lomo' after effect to digital images.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Introduction to the principles of Digital Storytelling and using digital technologies • Photography skills • Community development through creativity • Stories as advocacy • Good opportunity for sustainable development Introduction to familiar offline techniques as creative online/digital community development tools
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Sustainable approach
SUMMARY	Focus on pictures taken by the participants helps reduce mic-conciousness. Opportunity to investigate and discuss community issues and themes. Sense of excitement as participants are unaware of how their photos have turned out until the recording session. Very creative and produces a range of issues and stories.

TITLE	Introduction to Blender
TIME	2-3 hours dependent on need
CONTENT	Blender 3d is a free open source 3d graphic design and animation package that is hugely powerful and flexible. Participants will need to have grasped the basics of IT for this workshop e.g. how a 3-button mouse works and be comfortable using a computer. The workshop introduces the Blender interface and the basics of 3D modelling in order to produce an animated 3D logo that can be used in film-making or as a still image for graphic design purposes. We can offer more advanced workshops dependent on need.
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Understanding the principles of CGI • Working in a 3D environment • Creative approach to graphic design that can produce professional grade results • Open Source • Huge online community with plenty of resources that are mainly free
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Marketing • Content
KEY AREAS OF DI	•Sustainable approach •Engagement with an online community of interest •Professional grade graphic design and potential for CGI projects
SUMMARY	A powerful tool that will need some practice to understand in terms of the programming environment but once understood opens up a whole world of possibilities in terms of branding, modelling and animation.

TITLE	Getting the most from your mobile phone
TIME	1 hour
CONTENT	A quick interactive presentation demonstrating how to get the most from your mobile including how to SMS, using tools and how SMS can be used in a community action setting
OUTCOMES (participants)	• How does my phone work • Where is my stuff • How to text and understand textspeak • Using SMS for social action in the community through message boards and polls
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Good content aggregation via direct SMS interaction with a website • Instant content generation
KEY AREAS OF DI	• Inclusive use of a sometimes mis-understood bit of kit • Breaking down the barriers for communication
SUMMARY	This is a quick win session that can deliver on a range of mobile phone issues and help people who may not completely understand how their phone works to communicate more effectively, both to family and friends as well as the wider community.

TITLE	What do you want from DI???
TIME	1 hour
CONTENT	Another quick interactive presentation that aims to get a feel for what a group would like to do in terms of DI activity. An interactive consultation session where participants are asked to photograph and then explain to the wider group what that photo represents in terms of areas of DI they would like to know more about
OUTCOMES (participants)	• Understanding of what DI is and the various tools/workshops that are on offer through the partnership • Digital photography • A chance for participants to gain an insight into how digital tech might be relevant to them. • An opportunity to see what can be done very quickly and easily.
OUTCOMES (C2.0)	• Direct consultation can lead to a better understanding of the needs on the ground • good content generation • quick and easy to deliver and able to reach a lrage no. of people
KEY AREAS OF DI	• Helping to de-mystify tech and make it relevant to potential beneficiaries.
SUMMARY	A fun and interactive session that allow people to get their hands on some kit and get excited about how it might be relevant to them.

Workshop Menu

Digital Storytelling Workshop

Animation & Storytelling

6 Words, 1 Picture

Lucky Dip Digital Photography

The Disposable Camera

Mobile Phones and Storytelling

Introduction to Social Media

Photoshop Workshops

Fun and Games (Geocaching)

Infotos in Flickr

SNS (Social Networking Sites) and Storytelling

Skype Stories

Lucky Dip Word stories

Lomography Phototography

Introduction to Blender

Getting the most from your mobile phone

What do you want from digital inclusion