Here's your weekly dose of TA. Enjoy.
Tools and Resources
- 10 "Must Go To" Sites For Free Images For Blogs. Take a look at the sites and what they offer, bookmark those which work for you. The picture on the right is from Skitterphoto.
- Data GIFs: From Journalist's Toolbox:
Building GIFs: Google Data GIF Maker is a free tool that lets you build animated GIFs to show percentages, break down Google Trends findings, etc. You can export it as high or low-res image. Its great for building images to attach to social media posts. Also: Google has a blog post on how to use Data GIF Maker. And if you want to build more advanced GIFS, Pro Publica's Lena Groeger has a Github page on how to make GIFs with Photoshop, Premiere, etc. The page features great tips and exercises.
- The Simple Postcard is more than a cool tool to use in your personal life. It's a way to thank donors or tell you are thinking of them (Did they play football at their alma mater? Take a pic at a game with rival and use The Simple Postcard to print and send.)
At work
- Something to think about: Why Innovation Flounders in Established Companies.
- How To Lead With Empathy applies to everyone, not just CEOs.
Learn something
- Registration is open for the September 29-October 1 Virginia Organizing conference The Grassroots Gathering. The progressive organization's conference will feature a variety of learning sessions such as Speak Your Mind: Media Spokesperson Training; Understanding Power; and Intergenerational Organizing.
- The Ins and Outs of Community Engagement is a podcast featuring NTEN's CEO Amy Sample Ward. Do yourself a favor and carve out time to listen to this without multi-tasking.
Good reads
- What Designing For The Homeless Can Teach Us About Designing For Anyone: What I find intriguing is the carved out solution to a manageable part of a complex problem. Perhaps you can use a similar approach to jump start thinking about a problem you are trying to solve.
- Like the Fast Co. article above, This Startup Builds Cheap Pop-Up Housing Inside Vacant Buildings reports on a new approach to chipping away at a complex problem.
- Beyond Netflix: How Binging Impacts Online Learning. Some questions: How can this be applied to the work environment? Can this research be used to inform teaching supporters and potential advocates?
On the lighter side