Bridging the Digital Divide: Community Technology and Community Building April 20, 2001 Society of Black Graduate and Professional Students Randal D. Pinkett, Ph.D. Candidate Epistemology and Learning Group MIT Media Laboratory

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

“The ‘digital divide’ between certain groups of Americans has increased between 1994 and 2000 so that there is now an even greater disparity in penetration levels among some groups.” Falling Through the Net III, NTIA The Digital Divide

“There is a widening gap, for example, between those at upper and lower income levels.” Falling Through the Net III, NTIA The Digital Divide

“Additionally, even though all racial groups now own more computers than they did in 1994, Blacks and Hispanics now lag even further behind Whites in their levels of PC-ownership and on- line access.” Falling Through the Net III, NTIA The Digital Divide

(1999)

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE “The gap between those who benefit from new technologies and those who do not.”

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY “Using the technology to support and meet the goals of a community.” - Beamish (1999)

THREE MODELS OF COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY Community Content Community Networks Community Computing Centers

Community Technology Centers n Plugged In, East Palo Alto, CA n Playing-2-Win, Harlem, NY n Computer Clubhouse, Boston, MA n Austin Learning Academy, Austin, TX n New Beginnings Learning Center, Pittsburgh, PA n West Side Community Computing Center, Cleveland, OH

Community Networks n Seattle Community Network, Seattle, WA n Big Sky Telegraph, Dillon, Montana n National Capital Free-Net, Ottawa, Ontario n Buffalo Free-Net, Buffalo, NY n PrairieNet, Urbana-Champaign, IL

Community Content n Charlotte’s Web – n Brooklyn Public Library – n City of Seattle – n Neighborhood Knowledge Los Angeles –

Community Content Community Networks Community Computing Centers MODELS ACCESS TRAINING CONTENT Education Employment Health Care Economic Development Entrepreneurship Service Delivery OUTCOMES Bridging the Digital Divide

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

The Computer Clubhouse Project n An after-school community technology center (CTC) where youth become fluent with new technological tools

The Computer Clubhouse Project n Clubhouse members create… –Animations, robotic constructions, musical creations, simulations, video games, Web sites,...

The Computer Clubhouse Project n $20M funding from Intel Corporation –25 clubhouses nationwide –100 clubhouse anticipated world-wide –

Computer Clubhouse Project VIDEO CLIP

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

Camfield Estates-MIT Project n A model for low-income housing developments as to how individuals, families, and a community can use technology to support their interests and needs

Project Site n Camfield Estates, Roxbury, MA n Predominantly African-American (75%) –32% Hispanic / 68% Non-Hispanic n 102 units (80 occupied) and approximately 250 residents n Participant in HUD’s “Demo-Dispo” program n Neighborhood Technology Center (NTC) on the premises

Camfield Estates Demographics Race

Camfield Estates Demographics Ethnicity

Camfield Estates Demographics Age

Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project VIDEO CLIP

Participation June 2000 September 2000 January 2001 Baseline 0 of 66 people Round I: 33 of 66 people (50%) Round II: 60 of 80 people (75%)

Non-Participation n Non-Participation in Round 1 (50%) –Miscommunication/misunderstanding –Skepticism –Already owned a computer n Non-Participation in Round 2 (57%) –Lack of relevance –Too many responsibilities –Health-related

Creating Community Connections (C3) System n Community Intranet –Resident profiles, listservs, bulletin boards, calendar of events, chat rooms, news and announcements, and more. n Community Extranet –Asset-maps (GIS), business database, organization database, customizable web portals, security restrictions, and more.

Agenda I.The Digital Divide II.Community Technology - Computer Clubhouse Project - Camfield Estates-MIT Project III.Observations and Conclusions

Observations and Conclusions n The Digital Divide is about… –Outcomes instead of access –Relevance instead of economics n Socially and culturally –Active producers instead of passive consumers –Community technology and community building

Bridging the Digital Divide: Community Technology and Community Building April 20, 2001 Society of Black Graduate and Professional Students Randal D. Pinkett, Ph.D. Candidate Epistemology and Learning Group MIT Media Laboratory