By Dennis Frohlich, Department of Mass Communications
In the spring semester, mass communication students put
their web design skills to the test, developing websites for local
organizations and non-profits. The project was part of MASSCOMM 220: Multimedia
in Mass Communications I, and students worked in groups to create or update
nine websites.
The goal of the project was to help community organizations
either establish an online presence or update an existing website. All of
these agencies have small staffs, and some are only staffed by one person! As
such, it can be difficult for organizations to devote time to creating a
website.
I worked with the Berwick Area United Way to identify
suitable clients. Students worked in groups of 4-5, and met their clients in
mid-March. They worked with clients to identify their needs and strategized
the best way to meet those needs with a website. The groups then had five weeks
to deliver the project outcomes.
Most of the clients did not have experience with web design,
so it was imperative that students create a website that would be easy to
update. In some cases, students also made social media accounts for the clients
on platforms such as Facebook. Many of the clients wanted an easy way to accept
online donations, so most groups also helped clients set up donation accounts
with Paypal.
The following is a sampling of the work students completed.
The Berwick Area United Way’s website was drastically in
need of updating, as it looked like it hadn’t been touched in ten years.
Students not only gave the website an aesthetic update, but reorganized the
content so that it was easier to navigation, and optimized the site for mobile
devices.
The Berwick Area Swimming Pool Association has been
preparing for years to reopen the Ber-Vaughn Swimming Pool. The pool fell into
disrepair and was closed in 2012. Since then, the Pool Association has been
working hard to reopen the pool. The pool previously had a single page website
that was more of a placeholder than anything. Students created a whole new
website for the pool. The pool is reopening this summer, so the website came
just in time!
One group even developed a website for the Salem Township
Police Department. At first they thought it would be intimidating working with
the police, but they ended up having a great time and had a good working
relationship with the department.
I could go on with stories like these. The students stepped up
to meet their clients’ needs, and all of the clients were pleased when the
students presented their work at the end of the semester.
One client sent me an email, saying in part:
“The students were pleasant, responsive and very
professional to work with. The clinic director and I are happy with the
design, colors and format of the website they created. … They even offered to
help me out via email if I get stuck! … Thank you for encouraging your class to
perform this community service!”
The assignment partially fulfilled students’ Citizenship MyCore requirements, but the assignment was more than just a General Education Point (GEP). Students
got real-world experience working with clients, and each group faced unique
challenges as they tried to meet their client’s needs. The students got to give
back to their community, and through this project they gained a newfound
confidence in their design abilities.
Students will do this assignment again in the Fall semester,
so we are in need of new clients! If anybody knows of a local organization,
agency, non-profit, church, club, or other group that needs a website, please
contact me at dfrohlic@bloomu.edu
List of Community
Websites, along with the students who worked on them
Laura Campbell, Matthew Delviscio, Erik Falcone, Cathy Quinones, Rebecca Ward
Berwick Area United Way
Ethan Baker, Nicole Keiser, Frank Kucharski, Angela Marchese, Hannah Young
Columbia County Volunteers in Medicine
Keely Cahill, Chelsea Kennedy, Carrie Mann, Audra Ortiz
Danville United Way
Francesca Fortunato, Jayne Gac, Dashiyah Green, Victoria Notte, Anna Wegrzyn
The Dental Health Clinic of Berwick
Monica Grater, Anastasia Scott, Andrijana Stamenkovic, Erin Winkler
The Gate House
Amanda Blasco, Malik Sneed, Eddie Weldon, Daneisha Williams
Mission Mall Alternative Gift Fair
William Breinich, Rachel Moogan, Alexandra Offor, Luke Rimmer
Salem Township Police Department
Devon Downes, Kyle Klosinksi, Lauren Messam, Alexandria Soller
Young's Funny Farm
Evan Brown, Seulgi Shin, Corey Shirk, Taylor Yandle
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