My work in consulting and training involves helping you identify the strengths that you and your organization already bring to your work, and finding ways that you can build on those using appropriate technology. If you would like to explore working with me, please be in touch by e-mail: deirdre@techtelos.com.
training and custom course development
My teaching and coaching can help your church or organization build technological and ethical literacy, imagine new ways to support worship and connection online, and learn new ways to use technology to understand your community and extend your reach.
I can help you extend your current work by helping you build or revise your online resources, designing custom online courses for your needs, or adapting and teaching one of my existing courses for your particular organization — online or in person. I work with learners at all levels of technological comfort.
website evaluation and stakeholder research
Your organization is online for a reason: to spread the word about who you are and what you can do for others. Nonprofits and religious organizations face special online challenges. You’re often trying to coordinate the efforts of many different groups, including volunteers, on a limited budget. How clear, effective and compelling is the message you’re trying to share? How does well does it meet the needs of all your site visitors and your staff?
I can help you answer these questions in three ways:
website evaluation: I review all the sections of a site as well as the connections between them, guided by research and best practices in human-computer interaction and online ethics, and make well as recommendations for improvement and ongoing evaluation.
research with external stakeholders: I use interviews and guided usability testing to understand how visitors access and use your site as well as their comfort with technology, in order to improve your site’s clarity and accessibility.
research within your church or organization: through conversation and observation I identify patterns, problems, and opportunities for your online communication and collaboration. In addition to providing a research report, I also can facilitate a retreat or group meeting for your staff that gets everyone around the table to develop a renewed vision and a plan to make your online work more sustainable.
program analysis and instructional design
Do you want to bring existing programs or new courses online to serve your current participants and the needs of your broader community? Through a process of stakeholder analysis and shared reflection on mission and pedagogy, I can help you understand the potential impact of technology on your teaching and learning and plan effective online offerings.
I provide three types of support for teaching and learning:
course and program analysis: clarify teaching and learning goals, realistically assess resources and student and staff capacities, develop clear learning outcomes and instructional strategies, and identify a clear and sustainable plan for ongoing evaluation
“first steps” in online instruction: (for small nonprofits and religious organizations): If you’re just starting to consider adding an online dimension to your teaching and training, I will work with you to review your existing education program, identify where face-to-face, “hybrid,” or fully online learning options could make sense, and develop a plan that fits your resources, audience, and goals.
individual coaching in online teaching and leadership: Do you want to sharpen and deepen your skills as an online instructor or leader? I provide one-on-one coaching based on a review of your work and a self-assessment, and develop a focused plan for building on your strengths and further developing your skills for effective online education.
Interested in learning more? I’d love to talk with you: deirdre@techtelos.com.