Community technology training needs to address a basic level of understanding. The Minnesota Office of Technology, in the strategy document, "Achieving Minnesota's Vision for Information & Communications Technology," released in October 1996, notes that the goal of technology training isn't to create computer experts, it's to create more technology users. "It means insuring a basic level of technical literacy in society."
Most people are eager for technology training. The information highway receives daily news coverage, and many fear being left behind. In a survey of residents in 20 communities, across six states, The Rural Policy Research Institute found that respondents consistently rated technology education as the most important policy initiative among telecommunication issues.
Training Venues
Approaches to technology training are as varied as the communities that have undertaken this effort. The common element of successful efforts is that the communities use multiple formats to address the diverse needs of its residents.
In Summit County, Colo., a community coalition called "Project Telcom: Educate the Summit" uses a middle school as a training site. With a $44,000 grant from the Colorado Rural Telecommunication Office, a computer lab was constructed with 10 Internet workstations. The lab is used in the evenings and on weekends to conduct training classes for the community.
Computer classes range from general introductory courses on the Internet to specialty classes for teachers and nurses. The teacher training was coordinated with the local community college to provide continuing-education credit. Fees for taking these courses provide revenue to staff the center.
In addition to the computer classes, the Educate the Summit project also sponsors an annual Technology Days tech fair. An exhibit area with technology vendors, service providers and computer professionals allows people to participate in hands-on demonstrations and get familiar with technology providers in their area. Attendance at the tech fair has averaged around 200 people.
Kathy Brabec, co-director of the project, noted that, before the training, "they knew they needed to do something [with telecommunications] but weren't quite sure what it was about." After the training, several organizations, like the library, undertook new projects.
Working with partners, such as schools and libraries, is a key element to successful training programs. Schools have the facilities for training and often view lifelong learning as part of their mission. Technology training is one way to promote this goal.
Libraries also have a special interest in technology training. As more information becomes available online, libraries need tech-savvy staff and patrons. The public library in Great Falls, Mont., offers Internet training on a quarterly basis with classes at near capacity. The two-hour classes are free to the public and cover topics ranging from "Using Windows 95" to "Netscape Plug-ins & Helper Applications." The library staff teaches the various classes.
The Great Falls Library has also partnered with US West, a major communication services provider in 14 Western states, to offer Internet training for the community. The US West WOW (Widening Our World) van is a mobile interactive training lab that travels to communities served by US West. Training classes are offered for the public and small-business owners.
WOW instructors use 24 laptop computers to provide free, hands-on Internet training. Classes run from one to four hours and cover the history of the Internet; hardware and software needs; how to use the Internet and Web browsers; and how the Internet can save money. The WOW Web site has online learning resources for businesses, educators and the public seeking information on more advanced topics.
The US West WOW van began touring the 14 states in May 1996. In two years, the WOW van has trained people at over 30 sites with more scheduled in New Mexico and Oregon in 1998. After the initial training, US West teams up with local community organizations to form a WOW Consortium. With grants from the US West Foundation, the consortium continues technology education to community members.
Training for Economic Development
Helping business remain competitive is a major focus of many technology training programs. Economic development agencies and chambers of commerce often spearhead training efforts in the community. Economic development is the primary mission of The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., which has been the leader in providing training in the region. "Economic development includes all components of the community -- including training," said Director Hilda Legg.
The center's training formats range from interactive video to laptop labs. The Telecommunication Resource Center is equipped with interactive video equipment that allows experts across the commonwealth to deliver training to multiple video sites in the area; this reduces travel time, and the cost of training is shared among many sites. The laptop lab is another convenient technology training program. Staff members conduct training onsite at businesses using a supply of laptop computers; this allows them to tailor the training to the needs of the client.
Residents of five counties in northeast Wyoming have made training the key element in their recently completed telecommunications action plan. The plan, commissioned by the Northeast Wyoming Economic Development Coalition (NEW- EDC), calls for increasing technology literacy to help officials overcome any initial reluctance to adopting new technology applications.
In addition to creating support for technology investment, the NEWEDC study notes training spin-offs, such as increased markets for new telecommunications services, more competitive businesses and a skilled workforce in the area. The action plan includes a variety of training venues, including mentoring, seminars, career fairs and a public-relations campaign.
Establishing community technology centers is another training option. The Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) is a network of more than 250 community technology centers. At these centers, people get access to computers and computer-related technology, such as the Internet. CTCNet has affiliates in 32 states, Washington, D.C., Ireland and Scotland.
Resources for CTCNet affiliates include an annual conference, publications, grants and an online planning manual. The manual covers such issues as operating a center, finding resources and developing a business plan. CTCNet's focus is to provide access to technology for underserved populations, such as low-income and the elderly.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) noted that "a project's ultimate value to the community is based on how well it meets the needs and wants of the end users -- the individuals that must interact directly with the new technology -- and the people that they serve. Achieving this goal can be challenging, because end users often have had limited experience with new technologies. Overcoming this obstacle requires training and time."
In government, the end users of any program are the people who must have equal access to these services. As more information becomes available electronically, residents will need to learn how to use the new technologies. This not only builds support for investment in telecommunications, it builds support for participation in government.
Kathleen McMahon is a consultant based in Great Falls, Mont. Her firm, Applied Communications, specializes in telecommunications strategic planning for rural areas and in developing multimedia zoning/planning documents.
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