Co-creation with Newcomers: Integrating Emerging Technology into Service Delivery – Certificate Course
Switchboard is pleased to announce a free online instructor-led certificate course on how service providers can work together with newcomers to improve service delivery through the use of emerging technology. The course will focus on co-creation—a method that places newcomers at the center of the design process, enabling the creation of more relevant, inclusive, and innovative digital products to help overcome barriers to integration.
The course will consist of four instructor-led 90-minute synchronous sessions over a two-week period:
Module 1: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 2: Thursday, July 18, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 3: Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 4: Thursday, July 25, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
What will this certificate course cover?
The co-creation design method is Switchboard’s new training and technical assistance (TTA) program that focuses on integrating emerging technologies, such as virtual reality, into resettlement services and programming. Through an eight-stage process, participants will develop skills in listening with empathy, gathering insights, generating ideas, and creating digital products that provide innovative solutions and approaches to service delivery. Participants will refine their models based on community feedback until a viable digital product is ready for implementation in a real-life resettlement program.
The co-creative process has been informed by field research from the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, conducted by former refugees hired by the University of Utah as paid research affiliates co-creating with design students working within an academic setting.
Is this certificate course for me?
This course is for resettlement professionals and teams looking to design innovative programs, incorporate newcomer feedback, and explore how technology can improve service delivery. Applications can be submitted by groups of 2–5 individuals, with at least one member being a newcomer or having lived resettlement experience. Individuals can also apply and will be assigned to groups facing similar challenges to service provision. Ideal candidates for this course are curious and excited to learn something new; no technical knowledge or design experience is required.
Why should I participate?
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Use listening techniques to help identify community members’ needs, and formulate insights to address complex problems they are experiencing
Co-create a proof of concept (such as a storyboard, app plan, or other technology) for a functional digital product aimed at addressing complex problems the community is experiencing
Build and refine a group prototype based on feedback from newcomer clients and service providers
Conduct public user experience testing, implement the functional digital product, and assess its impact to strengthen program outcomes
Eligibility:
This course is open to 20 service providers working directly with ORR-eligible populations at state agencies, resettlement agencies, affiliates, or ethnic community-based organizations. Applicants must obtain their supervisor’s support before applying. Groups of 2–5 people (with at least one member being a newcomer or having lived resettlement experience) can apply. Individuals may also apply and will be assigned to groups facing similar challenges. All applications must include a real-life scenario statement identifying the community to be engaged in the co-creation process during the course. Applicants are expected to seek full support from their supervisor/director for course participation prior to applying.
Format:
This course will leverage a combination of pre-work and four synchronous online instructor-led workshops, yielding a total time commitment of approximately 8 hours. Each participant will actively engage and contribute to the four synchronous sessions and collaborate on group assignments with colleagues.
Course Schedule: Synchronous virtual workshops will be held four times, over two weeks:
Module 1: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 2: Thursday, July 18, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 3: Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Module 4: Thursday, July 25, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Commitment to attend all four synchronous sessions is required.
Attendance and active participation are expected of all learners, including participation in breakout activities and discussions, as well as written dialogue exchanges with fellow learners and the course instructor in the online course player.
Independent activity includes pre-readings and reflections using online discussion boards assigned by the course instructor.
Optional virtual office hours will be offered to course participants.
Submit your application by Friday, June 14, 2024. Accepted participants will be notified by Monday, June 24.