Building Community Through Technology: Early Results from the Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project March 22, 2002 Randal D. Pinkett, Ph.D. BCT Partners, Inc. Urban Affairs Association 32nd Annual Meeting

Agenda I.Background and Context II.Early Results III.Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Agenda I.Background and Context II.Early Results III.Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Project Context n Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project INFRASTRUCTURE: - State-of-the-art computers & software - State-of-the-art computers & software - High-speed Internet - High-speed Internet - Comprehensive training - Comprehensive training - Neighborhood technology center - Neighborhood technology center - Web-based community building system - Web-based community building system

Agenda I.Background and Context II.Early Results III.Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Research Methods (Mixed) n Quantitative Data –Survey via Interviews (i.e. multiple-choice) –Web Server Logs –Proxy Server Logs n Qualitative Data –Survey via Interviews (i.e. open-ended) –Direct Observation –Case Studies

Demographics n Heads-of-household from 26 families n 68% African- American n 84% female n 21% high school diploma/GED and 21% 4-year degree or more n 74% parents n 53% single and 26% married n 63% below $30,000 annual income

Early Results n Reinforced and expanded local ties n Heightened awareness of community resources n Improved communication and information flow n Positive shift in participants’ attitudes and perceptions of themselves as learners

* Denotes statistical significance (|t| > 1.96 ; p < 0.05) Reinforced and Expanded Local Ties Social Network Data N=26

* Denotes statistical significance (|t| > 1.96 ; p < 0.05) Heightened Awareness of Community Resources “Very Well Informed” and “Well Informed” * Denotes statistical significance (|t| > 1.96 ; p < 0.05) N=26

Improved Communication and Information Flow Web Server Logs

Improved Communication and Information Flow Proxy Server Logs

Shift in Perception and Attitude Qualitative Responses “[The project] has changed my life in more ways than one. A good example of this is that I found enough courage to teach myself HTML. Had I not had this opportunity, I might still be looking to muster up the courage. I know that technology is key to the future and I know that I could personally do anything with it that I put my mind to.” - Participant C33

Agenda I.Background and Context II.Early Results III.Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Challenges and Opportunities n Coordinating multiple, interrelated activities n Developing a “curriculum” that supports community-defined outcomes n Conducting assessment and evaluation n Sustaining the initiative

Lessons Learned and Recommendations n Understand the social and cultural environment n Understand individuals, families, and the community n Demonstrate relevance clearly –Emphasize outcomes instead of access n Acknowledge and support process and product n Integrate community technology and community building holistically

Building Community Through Technology: Early Results from the Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project March 22, 2002 Randal D. Pinkett, Ph.D. BCT Partners, Inc. Urban Affairs Association 32nd Annual Meeting