1. 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

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

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

4. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. * 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

17. Improved Communication and Information Flow Web Server Logs

18. Improved Communication and Information Flow Proxy Server Logs

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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 http://www.camfieldestates.net