Community technology center
Encyclopedia
A community technology center or CTC offers resources to help bridge the digital divide
, primarily through the public accessing computer
s and the internet
. These centers are a key part of what is now being referred to as digital inclusion programs. Many centers provide training that ranges from basic computing skills to digital media
production as well as applied skills (e.g. online job searching). While some CTCs are freestanding operations, many others are located in public libraries
, school
s, social service agencies, neighborhood centers, and religious centers. Many organizations that provide their participants and local community with technology access and training do not think of themselves first as ctc's, but share common services and needs.
There are thousands of these education centers located across the world. Outside the U.S. they are also called by the name Telecentre
. In the United States
, more than 1,000 community technology centers are organized under the leadership of CTCnet, a nonprofit association
headquartered in Washington, D.C.
CTCs are also organized under the banner of state organizations, such as the Ohio Community Computing Network.
There are also CTCs located in the state of New South Wales
, Australia
, that provide technology, resources, training and educational programs to communities in regional, rural and remote areas. Some cities operate community technology centers and/or provide financial support to these programs. One example is the City of Seattle Community Technology Program.
What do Community Technology (CT)programs accomplish?
CT programs increase residents’ self-sufficiency and capacity to learn, develop their skills and talents, and help people more fully participate in community and civic affairs. The result is a more educated community, more able workforce, safer and better connected community. CT programs also help develop consumers of information technology products and services.
How is Community Technology supported?
CT programs are often supported by a patchwork of resources and are often undercapitalized. Organizations running CT programs are often very successful leveraging and extending the resources they have. There are very few technology-centered grant programs. Organizations (and volunteer boards) often secure funds through a combination of fundraising events, donations of products and services, volunteer labor, specific program grants, and some revenue generated programs. The mix varies considerably depending upon the capacity and nature of the organization, setting and services provided.
The application of information and communications technology to education, human services, workforce training, civic engagement and community development is a rapidly evolving (and relatively young) field. Just as in the development of technology for the business sector, this takes training, strategic planning, and strategic investment. Successful CT programs are integrated into regular programs and service delivery, but this requires the development and sustainability of specific expertise, program content and infrastructure.
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
, primarily through the public accessing computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s and the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. These centers are a key part of what is now being referred to as digital inclusion programs. Many centers provide training that ranges from basic computing skills to digital media
Digital media
Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
production as well as applied skills (e.g. online job searching). While some CTCs are freestanding operations, many others are located in public libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, social service agencies, neighborhood centers, and religious centers. Many organizations that provide their participants and local community with technology access and training do not think of themselves first as ctc's, but share common services and needs.
There are thousands of these education centers located across the world. Outside the U.S. they are also called by the name Telecentre
Telecentre
A telecentre is a public place where people can access computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills...
. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, more than 1,000 community technology centers are organized under the leadership of CTCnet, a nonprofit association
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
CTCs are also organized under the banner of state organizations, such as the Ohio Community Computing Network.
There are also CTCs located in the state of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, that provide technology, resources, training and educational programs to communities in regional, rural and remote areas. Some cities operate community technology centers and/or provide financial support to these programs. One example is the City of Seattle Community Technology Program.
What do Community Technology (CT)programs accomplish?
CT programs increase residents’ self-sufficiency and capacity to learn, develop their skills and talents, and help people more fully participate in community and civic affairs. The result is a more educated community, more able workforce, safer and better connected community. CT programs also help develop consumers of information technology products and services.
How is Community Technology supported?
CT programs are often supported by a patchwork of resources and are often undercapitalized. Organizations running CT programs are often very successful leveraging and extending the resources they have. There are very few technology-centered grant programs. Organizations (and volunteer boards) often secure funds through a combination of fundraising events, donations of products and services, volunteer labor, specific program grants, and some revenue generated programs. The mix varies considerably depending upon the capacity and nature of the organization, setting and services provided.
The application of information and communications technology to education, human services, workforce training, civic engagement and community development is a rapidly evolving (and relatively young) field. Just as in the development of technology for the business sector, this takes training, strategic planning, and strategic investment. Successful CT programs are integrated into regular programs and service delivery, but this requires the development and sustainability of specific expertise, program content and infrastructure.
See also
- Community informaticsCommunity informaticsCommunity informatics , also known as community networking, electronic community networking, community-based technologies or community technology refers to an emerging field of investigation and practice concerned with principles and norms related to information and communication technology with...
- Nonprofit technologyNonprofit technologyNonprofit technology comprises information and communication technologies that support the goals of nonprofit, nongovernmental, third sector, grassroots, and other mission-based organizations...
- Free GeekFree GeekFree Geek is a collectively run non-profit organization started in Portland, Oregon in 2000. Free Geek has two central goals: to reuse or recycle used computer equipment that might otherwise become hazardous waste, and to make computer technology more accessible to those who lack financial means or...
- Nonprofit Technology ResourcesNonprofit Technology ResourcesNonprofit Technology Resources is a charitable nonprofit organization inside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that "serves low-income people in Philadelphia by recycling used computers, providing hands-on work experience, and assisting community-based service organizations to use computers in their...
- TelecentreTelecentreA telecentre is a public place where people can access computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills...