Eliminating the Digital Divide By: Rachel Wagner, Patrick Hastings, and TaShona Griffin

INTRODUCTION

◈  Little to no connections between CTCs: ◈ Workforce Development Community ◈ Other Community Technology Centers ◈ Eliminate the Digital Divide Advisory Committee

◈  Renewed focus on building community of shared learning

CAPSTONE SCOPE ◈  Interviews with program managers ◈  Surveys with program participants ◈  Develop and report on trends ◈  Recommend methods: ◈  maximize use of DCEO technology grants ◈  increase connections with grant recipients

METHODOLOGY - INTERVIEWS ◈  Selection Method: ◈ Geographical Location ◈ Representativeness

◈  Constraints: ◈ Prioritization ◈ Availability ◈ Time

METHODOLOGY - SURVEYS ◈ Selection Methods: ◈  Contact Request

◈ Constraints: ◈  Inability to Monitor Response Rate

◈  Reporting Bias

◈ Selection Bias

FINDINGS - CATEGORIES ◈  Funding ◈  Methods of Communication ◈  Program Monitoring ◈  Performance Measurement ◈  Best Practices

FINDINGS ◈  Funding Sources: ◈  Lack of Technology Grants ◈  State Agency Grants

◈  Utilization of Grant Money: ◈  High Cost Participant Ratio

FINDINGS ◈  Methods of Communication: ◈  Participant Outreach ◈ Social Media ◈ Newsletters/Flyers

◈  Collaboration and Partnerships: ◈  Libraries vs. Non-Profit ◈ Unique Opportunities

◈  Program Monitoring ◈  General Documentation ◈  Class Proportions

FINDINGS ◈  Performance Measurement: ◈  Pre and Pro Test ◈  Certificates ◈  EDGE Initiative ◈  Specialized Performance Measures ◈ Navigation of GED Program ◈ Employment Rates ◈ Subjective Evaluations

FINDINGS ◈  Best Practices: ◈  Hands on Training ◈  Small Classroom

◈  Personalized Attention

◈  Organizational Commitment to Client Growth

◈  Maximize Free Resources: ◈ Online Tutorials ◈ Open Source Software

SURVEY TRENDS ◈  Comfort Levels ◈ Basic Knowledge ◈ Applying Knowledge ◈ Internet Usage

◈ Specific Programs

SURVEY TRENDS (cont.)

RECOMMENDATION ONE

Enhance Grant Criteria ◈  Require Measure of Accomplishment ◈  Potential Benefits ◈  Increasing Credibility

◈  Increasing Sense of Accomplishment ◈  Consistency of other CTCs

◈  Standardized Bench Marks

RECOMMENDATION TWO Collaboration ◈  Establishing Connections for Clients ◈  Job Skills Agencies

◈  Between Non-Profits and Libraries ◈  Non-Profits - Job Skill Based

◈  Libraries - Technological Training

RECOMMENDATION THREE Communication ◈  Shared Network ◈  Mass Mail e.g. List Serve ◈  Benefits: ◈  Common Information Base

◈  Acknowledge of Accomplishments