ICT Volunteering (CCD)

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The ICT Volunteering pilot programme did start the academic course 2015-2016 with a goal: to support social organisations from our community with technological support provided by volunteers with technological knowledge.

Under the UPC ReuTIlitza programme (Reuse programme), the Centre for Development Cooperation (CCD), working together with the association Tecnologia per a Tothom, TxT (Technology for everybody), designed an ICT volunteering project during the summer of 2015. From the very first moment, they could count on the Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB), both for the dissemination of the programme and the recruitment of volunteers. Moreover, since the programme is having continuity, each time they ask for help we do spread the word in order to draw the attention of volunteers-to-be.

Volunteers will get academic recognition of ECTS for extra-university activities as a reward for taking part in this project.

 

What is it? 

It is about collaborations that contribute to improve the activities of social organisations within our community and how they work. This is possible thanks to students, who get involved with an association in order to offer their technological support, train the users or its members, design webs or applications, assist in 2.0 Communication (social networks, graphic design, web), etc.

 

In what does it consist?

The ICT Volunteering consists in linking students with social associations for a term at least, being committed to work for approximately 3 or 4 hours per week. In this way, those organisations get technological support to some of their ICT needs within the Learning-Service methodology framework. 

 

Learning-Service  

In addition to getting a brief initial training, the participating student has the opportunity to know how the host association works and what their activities are. Therefore, volunteers are also able to identify the most appropriate technological solutions. At the same time, this experience diversifies and enriches their training since they get to collaborate with organisations that work in many different areas, such as supporting disabilities, combating poverty, helping ill patients and their families, promoting the elderly, social and career inclusion for adults, supporting young people at risk of social exclusion, drug dependence caring services or development cooperation.

 

What type of support? 

Although the support given is not completely professional, students can participate in a wide range of tasks. Some of the jobs can consist of installing or maintaining the IT equipment, or selecting and implementing free software specifically needed. Taking part in the training for technical teams or users from the host associations, collaborating with the design of applications that will improve the management, or the dissemination of the activities carried out by the organisation (web, social networks, graphic design, etc.) are other supporting tasks. Furthermore, volunteers could even help to define improvement plans within this field.