TBE Technology Bridge to Employment Project ATTAIN (Advance Technology Training and Information Networking)

Definition: “the existing gap in access to information services between those who could afford to purchase the computer hardware and software necessary to participate in the global information network, and low income families and communities that cannot” (Dragulanescu, 2002, 139). Digital Divide

Five dimensions of the divide 1. Technical 2. Autonomy of use 3. Use of patterns 4. Social support networks 5. Skill (Hargittai, 2002 p.1)

Underclass or Info-poor may become further marginalized in societies where basic computer skills are becoming essential for: economic success personal advancement entry level employment educational opportunities Economical Consequences

Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion 2000 Data shows: People who are economically advantaged tend to have household computers and Internet access. People who are less economically advantaged have a lower rate of household computers and Internet access. (Shapiro and Rhode 2000)

Three main reasons for inclusion of minorities in Information Technology: 1)Continued industrial growth 2)Technological Innovation 3) Economic Disparity Reduction (Nicholson, Hancock and Dalhberg, 2007) Problem Solution

Solution Approach With proper Information Technology Training minorities, women and the poor can take advantage of the future jobs, have higher salaries, can increase income assets. (Kuttan and Peters, 2003)

Community Technology Centers (CTCs) Three major types: 1. Stand-alone centers 2. multi-service agencies 3. network

ATTAIN Project History SUNY UCAWD ATTAIN Project est Baden ATTAIN est Statewide 30 ATTAIN Labs – SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers (12) – Community Agencies (18)

Plan change model

Life Skills Job Readiness Professional Development Course Outline

Life Skills You Can Make It Happen – Motivational Software – Written by Stedman Graham – Developed by Instructional Systems, Inc. Personal Development – Instructional Software – Developed by Instructional Systems, Inc.

Job Readiness Self-Assessment – Onetcenter.org Resumes and Cover Letters – Microsoft Word Job Interview Techniques – Careerbuilder.com Dress for Success

Basic Computer Literacy – Microsoft Unlimited Potential Tools – Caaelii.org Working With People – Instructional Systems, Inc. Professional Development

Malcolm Knowles Malcolm S. Knowles, “the Father of Adult Learning” popularized the concept of andragogy, “an emerging technology” for adult learning. His five andragogical assumptions are: 1. Self-concept 2. Experience 3. Readiness to learn 4. Orientation to learning 5. Motivation to Learn

Malcolm Knowles Education Strategies His suggestion is that educators should: – arrange for a diagnosis of learner needs and interests – enable the formulation of learning objectives based on the diagnosed needs and interests – design sequential activities for achieving the objectives – execute the design by selecting methods, materials, and resources; and – evaluate the quality of the learning experience while re- diagnosing needs for further learning. (Dover, 1999)

Curriculum

Coalition of African, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAELII)

Project Results Microsoft Word Pre/Post Windows XP pre/post Internet Demographics Summary Anderson Normality

Microsoft Word Pre/Post

Windows XP pre/post

Internet

Demographics

Summary of Pre-test

Summary of Post

Boxplot

Probability Plot

Scatterplot

Conclusion Digital divide closes windows for social and economic equality. Today’s information poor will be tomorrow’s information impoverished. With proper IT training Computers and the Internet give more chances to move people out of poverty.

Recommendations Continue Use of (TBE) Project Steps to bridge the divide by Incorporating workshops during day schedule: Conduct needs assessment of participants Utilize Malcolm Knowles Strategies when developing lessons. Incorporate Soft Skills training (Conrad, 2004) Provide information on current job skill requirements. Develop tracking system

Question’s?