Frontline Tech

Category: Facilitate Online Group Discussion

Tools and platforms you can use to host online discussions, from digital messaging tools, to online discussion platforms, as well as interactive tools you can use to help with engagement during those discussions.

  • Telegram

    Description

    Telegram is a digital messaging app that you can use for 1-on-1 and group text chats, as well as 1-on-1 audio and video chat. You can also create broadcast messages, known as channels on Telegram. Groups have up to 200,000 people and can include group voice chats.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Telegram is used by many newcomers. Some service providers have begun to use Telegram to communicate with Newcomers, as well as created groups for larger conversations/chats.
    • Telegram can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2rH3KrfcM

    Pricing

    Telegram is free

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). Telegram doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    Telegram is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Telegram has some privacy/security features, but it is important to be aware of what is and is not fully secure on the app. Secret Chats are end to end encrypted. Group chats (text or voice) are not. Telegram writes that they “support end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    According to Telegram the app “is officially available in English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, Malay, Russian and Ukrainian on most platforms, and we are gradually expanding the list of languages built into the apps.”

    Additional resources

  • WeChat

    Description

    WeChat is a multi-purpose instant messaging, social media and mobile payment app used primarily (but not exclusively) by Chinese Newcomers. You can use text, photo, voice, video, location sharing, create group chats with up to 500 members and group video calls with up to 9 people.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WeChat is used by Settlement Practitioners and organizations serving Newcomers from China.
    • WeChat can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WeChat is free to use.

    Service Context and activities with descriptions about how it could be used in each context – from simple uses to more complex

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    WeChat doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WeChat is primarily used through mobile apps, but is also available for Windows, Mac, and web access.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WeChat is not considered a secure platform to use to share personally identifiable information with clients. However, like Facebook, it can be used as part of the service continuum.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language in WeChat. However, WeChat indicates that “Hebrew, Hindi and Polish are no longer supported.”

    Additional resources

  • WhatsApp Business

    Description

    WhatsApp Business has the core functionality of WhatsApp, but with additional features such as quick replies that let you save and reuse messages you frequently send (i.e. form messages), and automated messages that can also be tied to office hours you set in the app, which allow for out of office auto-replies, vacation auto-replies, etc. Just like WhatsApp, you can share text/voice/video messages, photos, videos, make voice calls, share attachments, such as documents, status updates, create groups (up to 256 members) and broadcast lists.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used digital messaging apps in the sector. Some frontline workers have shifted to WhatsApp Business because it offers the same functions and features, security features (encryption), with the additional useful features outline above.
    • WhatsApp Business can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WhatsApp Business is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). WhatsApp has information about accessibility settings on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WhatsApp Business is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WhatsApp Business is end-to-end encrypted, which means “your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.”

    When you use WhatsApp Business the people you message with can see your phone number. This means that it is not a private app.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • WhatsApp

    Description

    WhatsApp lets you share text/voice/video messages, photos, videos, make voice calls, share attachments, such as documents, status updates, create groups (up to 256 members), and broadcast lists.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used digital messaging apps in the sector.
    • WhatsApp can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    WhatsApp is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use. WhatsApp has information about accessibility settings on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    WhatsApp is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, which means “your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.”

    When you use WhatsApp the people you message with can see your phone number. This means that it is not a private app.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Gather

    Description

    Gather is a web-based video call platform, building virtual spaces for people to interact live online. With Gather you and your participants create avatars or character that you move/walk around a room or space where you can have audio and video chats with other people. You can also embed videos, presentations, whiteboards, and other features to increase interactions in the space.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Gather can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an group communication and discussion tool with clients and communities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Gather has a free version for up to 25 users and paid versions with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Gather is optimized to be used on computers/laptops. They have information about accessibility and how they’re working to make it better to use with assistive technology.

    Mobile friendly

    Gather can be used on mobile devices through the web browser, but has some limitations.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Gather is not a secure space for interactions with clients that include personal information. They have information about security and privacy here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Gather’s interface is currently English-only.

    Additional resources

  • Microsoft Teams

    Description

    Microsoft Teams combines video conferencing software with team collaboration tools. It is a workspace chat and videoconferencing tool, with file storage, and integration with other applications. Part of the Microsoft 365 family of products.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Teams is used by many organizations as both an internal tool for collaboration as well as an external client service tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Teams has a free version as well as a number of paid options with additional features that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft also has a Charity program which offers discounts on Microsoft 365, including Teams.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Microsoft has a number of accessibility features, such as voice-controlled navigation, support for multiple assistive devices.

    Mobile friendly

    Teams is mobile friendly and available on Android, iOS, and Windows apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Find out about Privacy, security, and compliance in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) appears to have more advanced security features according to Microsoft.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • GoTo Meeting

    Description

    GoTo Meeting is a video meeting and video conferencing tool.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • GoTo Meeting can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    GoTo Meeting has a free version as well as several paid options.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    GoTo Meeting is easy to use. Find out more about accessibility features.

    Mobile friendly

    GoTo Meeting has a computer app as well as Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change your language settings in GoTo Meeting.

    Additional resources

  • Slack

    Description

    Slack is a workplace communication tool, where participants can message each other, create channels/discussion groups, and share tools and files. Slack also integrates with other apps/add-ins and other workplace tools.

    You can integrate other apps and services into Slack, making it a versatile team communication tool. Using Slack can increase communication and collaboration, facilitate project management, and allow you to learn how to use a tool that is popular in many workplaces today.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Public community groups and discussions on specific topics for larger projects.
    • Used as the messaging component for online conferences.
    • Internal team meeting, project management, and discussion tool.
    • Mainly an internally focused tool, Slack can be used to coordinate with Newcomers and communities as well. Slack allows for public and private channels, restricting access to internally focused channels and discussions, while allowing for external partners/clients to share and discuss. In that way, Slack can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to engage with internal colleagues, external partners & stakeholders, as well as Newcomers.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Slack is free to use and will generally be sufficient for most nonprofits. Slack has a number of pricing levels for additional tools and functionality. They also offer nonprofit discounts on those levels.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Slack is relatively easy to use, but there is a learning curve to make full use of it. The above videos as well as time and practice, make it easy to use after the initial orientation. Here is a good example of a Slack workspace guidelines and orientation guide, from Refugee613’s DMSI project.

    FINAL-DMSI-Slack-Onboarding-FEB-2020Download

    You can use a screen reader to navigate conversations, read messages, and access information in your sidebar from the Slack desktop app and Slack in a web browser.

    Mobile friendly

    Slack has a mobile/smartphone app where participants can access full functionality, including using Slack for audio calls with other users.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Slack has a mixed rating on Common Sense Media (which typically rates for safe use of technology with children). However, Slack indicates that it uses strong security protocols, including that it can be can be configured for HIPAA compliance, including electronically protected health information (e-PHI), which is an extremely high security setting.

    It is useful and important to note on the pricing page the security features increase and are enhanced with higher priced versions of the tool.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can display the Slack app in a number of languages. Find out more in this Slack Help Center article.

    Additional resources

  • Discord

    Description

    Discord is a community-building tool where you can connect over voice, video, and text chat. Discord uses text channels to chat over text, and voice channels where you can use over voice and video.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Discord can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Discord is free to use, and has an upgraded plan for a fee.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Discord is easy to learn and use.

    Find information about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    You can use Discord through your web browser, computer software, or Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Discord has robust Safety policies. You can find information about privacy and security features here, including data policies and data/message encryption settings.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can set and change the default language on Discord.

    Additional resources