Developing User Generated Content
Web Connect develops user generated content in 4 ways:
1. Community reporters
Web Connect Community Reporters are reporting on their own area or community using text, photo, audio and video. They are trained to use the latest technology to quickly and easily put reports on the web. Stories can range from serious issues where the reporters want to give their side, to fun features where they talk about their lives or local activities. Reporters may use their own mobile phones, video equipment or other equipment or borrow from MCIN.
Web Connect offers a comprehensive training program for developing social media to support its Community Reporters program, which includes:
- Basic ICT training
- Online and offline basic skills courses
- Blog training on Wordpress and Blogger
- Video and audio podcast production training
- Training in developing content using mobiles
- Media club development and facilitation
- Advanced training in reporting and journalist skill in partnership with the BBC
- Advance training in becoming a Community Producer working with the media clubs to produce local content
- Further and advanced training in social software, in partnership with the FE college MANCAT (potentially to Foundation degree level)
2. Media Clubs
Media clubs can be based at existing venues . The purpose of the club is to provide a drop in facility which is supported by a Web Connect facilitator. This facilitator will support individuals to produce content. Session could run on a weekly basis either for half day or full day each week.
3. On-line Community programmes
Examples could include developing an online novel, running a photo competiion or a local history project
4. Added value services
- Content contributors will receive points which can be traded between participants or for cash prizes as part of the Web Connect Trading programme.
- Participation in the Social Media Awards event
- Accreditation through the Community Reporters Badge Scheme
- Opportunities to sell content through Web Connects community media enterprise
- Content produced is placed on the new revamped 14 community portal sites. The BBC have agreed in principle that content created by the journalists could be potentially placed on the Big Screen, GMR and Look North West.
- Web Connect is a community partner of the BBC
For more information contact: Gary Copitch on 0161 230 1430 or gary@mcin.net. This project is currently funded through the European Regional Development fund as part of the BB4C project with the MDDA.
See the following for links to reporters content
