Frontline Tech

Tag: Community Connections

  • Viber

    Description

    Viber is a secure digital messaging app you can use to send messages (text, photos, videos, & voice), make audio and video calls, have group chats and calls, and join public groups.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Viber can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging through Viber as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Viber is free. However, you need a Wi-Fi or data connection in order to use it.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Viber is easy to use. Viber does not appear to have accessibility information on their site.

    Mobile friendly

    Viber is primarily a smartphone app you can use on Android and iOS devices.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Only 1-on-1 and group chats are fully secured by end-to-end encryption.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language on Viber.

    Additional resources

  • 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

  • Padlet

    Description

    Padlet is a virtual bulletin board in which collaborators can simultaneously create and organize posts of any content type, whether it be text, documents, images, videos, audio, or links.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Used in language training to encourage students to quickly and easily share with teachers/classmates.
    • Padlet can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create visual information to help inform and engage with Newcomers visually.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    A free account allows you to create 3 padlets with up to 20MB file size per upload. Padlet has additional paid personal and organizational accounts.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Padlets are easy to set up and use.

    Padlet admits that “accessibility is an area we are behind in.” However, they are working to improve this.

    Mobile friendly

    Padlet is accessible on mobile devices through the web browser.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Free and individual accounts allow your padlets to be public or secret, available only to those you share it with. You can find out more about privacy features in this help article. They should be used for activities where no personal information is shared.

    Premium accounts offer additional privacy and security settings. For example, for educational settings:

    More privacy

    “All padlets, by default, are only visible to the people in your school. All this without compromising on the ease of sharing with others, including sharing outside the school when you have to.”

    Extra security

    “If your school is the type that likes to limit access to its content to the walls of its campus (firewall, if you will), we can do that. This is on top of our already sweet security – our servers are well protected; we use SSL to transfer data between your computers and our servers, the same technology used by banks; we backup your data every day.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    Padlet supports a number of languages.

    Additional resources

  • 1Password

    Description

    1Password is a password manager you can use to create and remember unique and secure passwords for all of your accounts.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • 1Password can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to secure your accounts.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    1Password has person/family plans as well as Team & Business plans.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Password managers take time to set up and configure. But once they are in place, they are very easy and seamless to use on your computer and mobile device.

    1Password has an Accessibility policy you can read.

    Mobile friendly

    1Password has Android and iOS mobile apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    1Password has strong Security and Privacy features.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • LastPass

    Description

    LastPass is a password manager you can use to create and remember unique and secure passwords for all of your accounts.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • LastPass can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to secure your accounts.

    Video overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIbe6XpOZDw&list=PLsXN_jRonzydst50u7LGyeDG4TPR3hOPt&index=4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0VlmK7rugg&list=PLsXN_jRonzydst50u7LGyeDG4TPR3hOPt&index=5

    Pricing

    LastPass has a free single user version, as well as paid plans for Individuals & Families, as well as Business Plans.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Password managers take time to set up and configure. But once they are in place, they are very easy and seamless to use on your computer and mobile device.

    LastPass has information about how they support accessibility here.

    Mobile friendly

    LastPass has Android and iOS mobile apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    LastPass has strong Security & Privacy features.

    Multilingual capabilities

    According to LastPass, “You can display LastPass in any of our supported languages. You can view your LastPass browser extension and vault in any of the following supported languages: English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

    Additional resources

  • Ideabordz

    Description

    Ideabordz is a simple online white board tool you can use during a live online meeting/session. Participants can fill out sticky notes together, live, during the session. IdeaBoardz is a team collaboration tool. It allows teams to collectively brainstorm, gather inputs, reflect and retrospect.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Idealbordz can been used during webinars, online video conference meetings, and community sessions as a brainstorming tool to capture simple information such as what went well, what didn’t go well, and action items to capture. Participants can vote on ideas to generate priorities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    IdeaBordz is a free tool.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    IdeaBordz is simple and intuitive to use, and does not require an account to use.

    IdeaBordz indicates that it is best viewed on Chrome, FireFox, or Safari web browsers on your computer.

    Mobile friendly

    IdeaBordz is mobile friendly and works well in mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Creating an account and logging into the site is optional. You can choose not to login and still use IdeaBoardz. If you do create an account, Ideabordz says that they “store only your name and email id to identify you when you visit next.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    IdeaBordz is available in English only.

    Additional resources

  • Mural

    Description

    Mural is an online visual collaboration space, a whiteboard tool you can use during a live online meeting/session. You can also use it as a planning, idea generating, and visualization tool to create simple and comprehensive visualizations and diagrams and collaborate with others on ideas.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Mural can been used during webinars, online video conference meetings, and community sessions as a brainstorming, meeting, visual collaboration, design, and Newcomer engagement tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Mural has a free version and a number of paid options with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Mural has a learning curve to become comfortable using the tool, but is fairly intuitive as you learn to use it.

    Mural has information about accessibility and compliance with accessibility standards.

    Mobile friendly

    Mural can be used on mobile apps and has useful information about optimal technical requirements to use it.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Mural has robust security and privacy features, including data encryption. Find out more here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Mural is currently only available in English.

    Additional resources