Digital Divide: In the News

Digital Divide: In the News | Digital Divide: Effective Practices | Digital Divide: Useful Links

Find out about successful partnerships, sources of funding, and resources in technology, training, and project management:

Surveying the Digital Future
The Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School is pleased to present the results of the seventh year of their project, Surveying the Digital Future. The six years of longitudinal research comprise an absolutely unique data base that completely captures broadband at home, the wireless Internet, on-line media, user-generated content and, now, social networking.

Measuring Digital Opportunity for America's Children
The Children’s Partnership has released a report identifying a significant digital gap among youth in the United States today. This report reveals that although information and communications technology positively affects the lives of America’s youth—particularly in the areas of health, education, economic opportunity, and civic participation—many children miss out on the benefits that technology can offer. The report shows that disabled, low-income, and ethnic minority children don’t have the same access to technology as others. In conjunction with this report, the Children’s Partnership also published fact sheets describing the technological preparedness of the youth in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more at the Children’s Partnership website, and learn how you can help to bridge this divide in your state.

Volunteer Internet Access/Use Survey
Are you looking for a free, quick way to evaluate your volunteers’ accessibility and use of the internet? Look no further. America Learns has designed a one-page survey to help programs easily determine the comfort level of volunteers using the internet. So before incorporating new web-based applications into your program, use this internet survey to ensure that your volunteers have the skills and accessibility they need to be successful.

Home Broadband Adoption in Rural America
Rural Americans lag behind the rest of the nation when it comes to use of high-speed internet connections at home, as well as basic measures of online penetration. Home Broadband Adoption in Rural America is one of many reports available from the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Community Technology Review Features CTC VISTA Project
The Fall 2005 issue of Community Technology Review features dozens of articles highlighting five years of the CTC VISTA project, digital media for youth, technical assistance to nonprofits, community networking, and more.

CTCNet Represents Disadvantaged USA Communities at WSIS in Switzerland
Kavita Singh, executive director of Community Technology Centers’ Network (CTCNet), addressed more than 100 government representatives and NGO’s from across the globe at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Microsoft Support for Community Technology Centers
Microsoft Corporation continues to offer Community Technology Skills Program grants to enhance access and training opportunities for individuals underserved by technology, as well as software and curriculum to support Community Technology Centers.

Use of Technology in Higher Education Service-Learning
Wondering how to use technology to enhance your service-learning program? The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Use of Technology in Higher Education Service-Learning fact sheet offers information, ideas, and resources to guide you in the implementation of technology solutions.

Opportunities for Open Source Software among Nonprofit Organizations
Teaming for Technology at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has released "Opportunities for Open Source Software among Nonprofit Organizations," a white paper written by project coordinator Gary Weissman. There are financial, operational and value incentives for non-profit organizations to adopt open-source software. Most nonprofits, however, have failed to adopt or even consider the benefits of open-source solutions. These unrealized opportunities are due to knowledge gaps among strategic and technology decision makers. Education, however, is not enough. Nonprofits require an infrastructure of support that includes education, emphasis on strategic planning, and technical support. This paper helps build awareness for this infrastructure.

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