Web Exercises

Key informant interviews are qualitative in-depth interviews with people who know what is going on in the community. The purpose of key informant interviews is to collect information from a wide range of people—including community leaders, professionals, or residents—who have first-hand knowledge about the community. These community experts, with their particular knowledge and understanding, can provide insight on the nature of problems and give recommendations for solutions.
  • What are some of the reasons to conduct key informant interviews?
  • Think about an issue of importance in your community.  What are some of the questions you would include when developing a tool for key informant interviews?
  • What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of key informant interviews?
 
Social networking focuses on building social relations between people who have similar interest using a variety of networks that are most often Web-based, so that network members can interact over the internet. Through social networking, ordinary people and experts, reporters, etc. can exchange ideas, debate issues and motivate others to take action by sharing media links, videos and other information.
  • What are the advantages of each of the types of social media described, when using them to promote the work of an agency or organization?
  • Select an agency or organization, and design a sample Facebook post and Tweet.
  • Select the link to the NAMI Facebook page.  How has NAMI effectively used Facebook as a means for mezzo policy advocacy?
 
Founded in 2005, AREA Chicago supports the work of people and organizations building a socially just city. AREA actively gathers, produces, and shares knowledge about local culture and politics. Its newspaper, website, and events create relationships and sustain community through Art, Research, Education, and Activism.
  • Select Projects, then AREA#14-Kids.  Choose one of the projects and describe how mezzo policy advocacy may have been used in the project.
  • Select Projects, then Housing, then Housing of Immigrants.  What is the “Prison Without Walls”?
  • Select Topics, then Activism.  Which of these examples of activism most attracts your attention?  What is an example of a project you would like to see added?