Software Software Software
As our organization grows and our first batch of educational materials near completion, we're eyeing a few software packages to help us along.
28 February 2022
Another quick update before getting back to SE-related work.
For the past few weeks now we’ve been looking at a variety of different software packages and I thought that might be worth sharing with you this month.
First, we’re researching accounting management software to potentially replace our current methods of tracking financial activity within SEI. Having accurate and audited books are crucial for good standing with online charity navigator sites and later, applying for funding grants. QuickBooks and Aplos are currently being evaluated.
Second, we’ve started sketching out our requirements for a way to distribute the amazing content being created for the self-directed course. We’re currently leaning towards an off-the-shelf learning management system (LMS) that’s easy to work with and allows learners to track their progress with this specific course and for any other training resources we develop, including instructor-led materials.
Third, we’ve purchased a license with a help desk ticketing system called Front that will allow us to better manage inquiries from learners taking the self-directed course who need assistance, want to suggest improvements, or perhaps even volunteer to create more knowledge checks. This software is versatile enough for SEI to use it to better manage all the inquiries we receive over social media and email, so I think it’s going to be well worth the expense. We’re looking for people familiar with SE willing to volunteer a few hours a week to manage these tickets, so reach out to me on social media or email [email protected] if that’s of interest to you.
Of course, none of this software is cheap, and we can really use your financial support to help cover these expenses. Check out the new ‘Donate’ page on the SE website if you can spare a few bucks–you have my word your donation will be used wisely: https://streetepistemology.com/donate
A few words about the course that me and about a dozen other people have been diligently working on for many, many months. Although it’s going much slower than expected, the course we’re developing I think could very well become one of the best resources available about what SE is, why people should care to learn it, and how to actually do it. Addressing some of the ambiguity around SE by offering some guidelines seems like a necessary step in order to more efficiently teach and soon, conduct objective research into its function and effectiveness.
The success and adoption of SEI-sponsored SE training materials depends on a good relationship between the non-profit, the volunteers developing the course, and people from the broader SE community. I think we’re doing pretty good here, from gathering desired topics to cover in a course from people familiar with SE, inviting anyone and everyone to review and provide feedback from modules as they become available, installing a help desk to handle learner inquiries and perhaps later, hosting a regular (annual?) gathering to discuss potential edits as SE continues to evolve and expand.
A great example of both the level of effort that’s being placed toward the course and our desire to develop something that accurately represents SE is the invaluable feedback that we’ve received from volunteer testers of the self-directed SE course. More than one hundred people have volunteered to review and provide feedback on Module 3: Street Epistemology Overview and Module 7: Building and Maintaining Rapport, resulting in dozens of wonderful suggestions that our team then incorporates. You can learn more about the individual modules and find instructions on how to become a volunteer tester here: https://streetepistemology.com/learning-course
There’s much more going on to develop and promote SE further, but that’s about it from me for now.
Best regards,
Anthony Magnabosco
Executive Director, Street Epistemology International
#SEIEDAM034
