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Community technology centers
Community technology centers (CTCs) - a diverse collection of organizations and agencies - have been established in response to concern about the growing gap between those who have access to computer technology and those who do not. They are also often called Community Access centers, Community Resource centers, Community Computing centers, Computer Access centers and so on (these different names do have slightly different connotations regarding the type of program, whether the center is embedded in another agency or the center's primary mission). These centers provide people who are already socially or economically disadvantaged with opportunities to engage with a range of technologies in a community setting and serve proportionately greater numbers of individuals with a low income, persons unemployed and underemployed, and individuals without a college degree than the general population. Community technology centers provide computer ac! cess to a majority of people who do not have technology access elsewhere. And, for individuals who have technology access at libraries, homes or elsewhere, community technology centers provide them with additional technology applications, such as the Internet or scanners, that they do not have access to at other locations. These centers often serve communities in a specific geographic area and frequently serve particular populations. Community technology centers provide access to community, municipal, and government services and resources. Through the Internet, physical bulletin boards, and assorted pamphlets and brochures, people can learn about job information and housing resources in their communities, as well as educational opportunities. A key role in starting, incubating, and supporting the development of Community technology centers belongs to The Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) with support from the National Science Foundation as well as contributions from individuals, nonprofit organizations and agencies, foundations, and corporations. Since the early 1980s when this movement began, the number of these centers has grown tremendously. Community technology centers serve not only as places for accessing information and learning about technology but also as places to build and strengthen community ties, where people can make social connections and seek out others with similar interests. (www.ctcnet.org) Community Access Centers (CACs) Almost 200 Community Access Centers (CACs) have opened up in the past several years in Canada. CACs are located in distressed communities, and offer computer access and training at low cost to the Have-Nots. They are a way to bridge the technology gap. As a type of social-service program, CACs are in their infancy and there are many diverse models in operation at this time. Alpha, TIL, and USES.The broad mission statements of each CAC are similar; in an effort to bridge the technology gap, they each vow to provide computer access to underserved people who, otherwise, would not have such access. Three of the five-Alpha, TIL, and USES-speak of economic development in their mission statements. Alpha will ". . . provide computer skills that improve [users] employability and self-sufficiency." TIL's mission is ". . . to produce positive changes in the economic and social conditions that divide our society. . . by providing access and training to individuals and organizations." And, USES "is working to . . . utilize technology as a vehicle for learning and employment development." Although the missions are similar, the goals and objectives are slightly different. All of the CACs consider access as well improved self-confidence and self-sufficiency for users as the primary goals. They all seem to equate a need for training in using the equipment in their definition of access. Each also has thought about what kind of training users may need and has worked it into its curriculum development. Some centers focus on the rudimentary and basic computer skills training-such as typing, office-software tutorials, and resume writing classes. The users at these centers tend to be adult learners who come specifically to improve their job skills. Others centers (TIL) focus more on high-end skills such as programming and Web-page development, with the intent of giving users the opportunity to move into high-end programming or design jobs. The most common class offerings are typing tutorials, basic word processing, and HTML programming. Alpha, USES, and TIL have staff who are computer science professionals teaching the classes. All of the centers received start-up grants and equipment grants. Alpha charges nominal fees to cover the costs of paper, disks, and new mouses. TIL and USES do not charge users fees, although USES asks for a small ($2) donation, which nobody ever pays. USES also does not charge for its programs, which is largely due to the fact that classes are connected to other agency services. TIL prefers not to charge for classes. |