EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Beyond bridging the divide: the case for integrating technology in our communities

Beyond bridging the divide: the case for integrating technology in our communities

Introduction

Evaluation findings from a technology initiative that funded over 70 community technology programmes around the state of Illinois. The report highlights evaluation findings and discusses the potential policy implications of the research.

Description

This evaluation of a community technology project was funded by the Illinois Community Technology Fund. A variety of organisations including community based organisations, community colleges, and schools were given funds to support programmes dedicated to closing the digital divide. Loyola CURL was asked to evaluate the ICTF programme.

The goals of the evaluation were:

Summarise the types and levels of services provided.
Assess the impact of the grants on the lives of the service users particularly concerning the employment and educational impacts.
Identify key successful aspects of the organisations funded through the ICTF grant.

Background information

The Illinois Community Technology Fund (ICTF) came about through the SBC/Ameritech merger that set aside 1.5 million US Dollars in 2000 to provide advanced telecommunications services and skills necessary to improve the quality of live for low-income and rural Illinois populations through organisational grants.

Methodology

Of the original 76 organisations that received ICTF funding, 62 organisations participated in the evaluation, in the form of site visits, focus groups, phone interviews, report submission and written surveys. The ICTF board members were also interviewed by members of the evaluation team.

Conclusions

Funding for technology programmes focuses too much on immediate gains and hardware and too little on sustainable, programme-focused funding.
There is a need for changes in the distribution of funding for technology. Even the most adequate level of funding cannot create the changes proposed if the programmes are not supported with renewable and flexible funding.
These integral changes cannot be made without a reform of the funding system in both private and public sectors. Instead of conceptualizing technology as a luxury, it should be recognized as a necessary tool to maintain further economic development through human capital.

Contact info

Loyola University Chicago, Center for Urban Research and Learning
Dr. Philip Nyden (Director), tel. +1.312.915.7761

Publication date

/04/2006

Researcher

Amy Kerr, Aparna Sharma, Tanya Kellam

Links

The Center for Urban Research and Learning of the Loyola University Chicago

Beyond Bridging the Divide: The Case for Integrating Technology in Our Communities (PDF, Eng, 900 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement