Community Technology Centers
Aired March 18 and 19, 2000
Listen to the show.
You must have RealAudio installed to listen to the show. Download RealAudio here.
This is Internet On The Air. I'm Joan Silvi. Is the information
revolution leaving some people behind? Details in a moment.
Funding Credit: Internet On The Air is a production of the University of Michigan
School of Information and Michigan radio, made possible by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation.
Recent studies show a widening gap between the technology have's and have-not's. But a
number of organizations seek to combat this trend, by providing low-cost access to
information technology. These community technology centers have been appearing all over
the country. Many of them belong to CTCNet, an umbrella organization that brings together
agencies and programs to provide access to underserved areas.
Mara Rose is the director of Playing 2 Win, a community technology center in Harlem and
the founding organization of CTCNet. She says that although access to technology is
important, it's only the first step. Education and job opportunities are two other vital
pieces if community technology centers are to be successful.
That's why Playing 2 Win has implemented a number of high quality educational programs.
Classes include introduction to computers, online stock market resources, and programming.
In addition, Playing 2 Win hosts 5 different youth programs. Currently, one project is an
uptown travel guide. Kids are travelling throughout Harlem and writing up their
experiences as travel writers. These projects boost kids' confidence and develop their
communication skills at the same time.
The major challenge facing Playing 2 Win, and many other community technology centers, is
sustaining operations. The must locate funders willing to support existing programs, and
good teachers willing to work for low pay. Despite these challenges, efforts like Playing
2 Win build social networks and combat the digital divide.
To learn more about community technology centers and to listen to an interview with Mara
Rose, visit our Web site at www.iota.org. For Internet On The Air, I'm Joan Silvi.
Top of Page
Related Links
For further information, try these Web sites:
- Playing 2 Win is associated with
a number of other organizations:
- They are the original founding organization of CTCNet, a network of community technology centers.
- Currently, they're supported by Boys
Harbor, a sixty-year old, multi-service, youth organization serving 4,000 young people
and families annually through direct service.
- Harlem Live, a teen-produced
online publication, is housed at Playing 2 Win.
- Playing 2 Win operates in collaboration with the Institue for Learning Technologies. ILT was founded in 1986 at Teachers
College, Columbia University, and is dedicated to advancing innovations in education.
- A 1998 study researched the impact of community technology centers: Impact of CTCNet Affiliates. Among the
findings were that community technology centers
- are an important resource for women and girls, people of all ages, and members of racial
or ethnic minorities.
- are a valuable resource for obtaining job skills and learning about employment
opportunities.
- had a positive effect on participants’ educational goals and experiences.
- fostered a sense of community and personal effectiveness, and allowed real community
building to occur.
- offer a range of opportunities to use computers and other technologies in classes as
well as in self-directed activities.
- The Community Connector,
housed at the University of Michigan School
of Information, is a wonderful resource for community-serving organizations, funders,
academics, and students who are using technology to improve their local communities.
The Community
Connector Reading Room includes articles on how to run a community technology center,
the beginnings and evolution of community information systems, universal access, Internet
usage, and much more. Here are a few selections about the 'digital divide':
Top of Page
The Interview
IOTA interviewed Mara Rose in February 2000.
Tell me about Playing 2 Win and how you got
involved.
What services does Playing 2 Win provide?
Do you draw your members mostly from the
surrounding neighborhood?
Do you plan to expand more rapidly in the future?
What are your main goals?
Do you feel you've been successful in accomplishing
your goals?
What are some of the greatest challenges you're
facing?
What have you gained from your association with
CTCNet?
Tell me about HarlemLive.
What has allowed HarlemLive to be so successful?
What have been the most rewarding experiences for
your personally?
Please direct questions or comments to iota.webmaster@umich.edu.
Last Updated March 17, 2000
|
