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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
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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 • Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project INFRASTRUCTURE: - State-of-the-art computers & software - High-speed Internet - Comprehensive training - Neighborhood technology center - Web-based community building system
Agenda I. Background and Context II. Early Results III. Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Research Methods (Mixed) • Quantitative Data • Survey via Interviews (i.e. multiple-choice) • Web Server Logs • Proxy Server Logs • Qualitative Data • Survey via Interviews (i.e. open-ended) • Direct Observation • Case Studies
Heads-of-household from 26 families 68% African-American 84% female 21% high school diploma/GED and 21% 4-year degree or more 74% parents 53% single and 26% married 63% below $30,000 annual income Demographics
Early Results • Reinforced and expanded local ties • Heightened awareness of community resources • Improved communication and information flow • Positive shift in participants’ attitudes and perceptions of themselves as learners
Reinforced and Expanded Local TiesSocial 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 * Denotes statistical significance (|t| > 1.96 ; p < 0.05)
Improved Communication and Information FlowProxy Server Logs
Shift in Perception and AttitudeQualitative Responses “[The project] has changed my life in more ways than one. A good example of this is that I found enough courage to teachmyself 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 Icouldpersonallydoanything 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 • Coordinating multiple, interrelated activities • Developing a “curriculum” that supports community-defined outcomes • Conducting assessment and evaluation • Sustaining the initiative
Lessons Learned and Recommendations • Understand the social and cultural environment • Understand individuals, families, and the community • Demonstrate relevance clearly • Emphasize outcomes instead of access • Acknowledge and support process and product • 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 http://www.camfieldestates.net