Transcript Partnering to Bridge Cleveland`s Digital Divide

Partnering to Bridge
Cleveland’s Digital Divide
Earnestine Adeyemon
Electronic Resources Librarian
University Library
Case Western Reserve University
[email protected]
Program Overview
Description
The Bridging the Digital Divide Program is a collaborative effort
between CWRU's University Library (UL) and the Cleveland
School of the Arts (CSA).
UL sponsors a bi-monthly after-school program for middle
schools students and their teachers.
Program Overview
Goal
The goal of the program is to help promote digital inclusion throughout
the Cleveland Municipal School District.
What is the ‘Digital Divide?’
“Digital divide" refers to the gap between those who can effectively use
new information and communication tools, such as the Internet, and
those who cannot.”
Digital Divide Network http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/
Where is the ‘divide’?

Rural populations

Low-income central city populations
Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the "Have Nots” in Rural
and Urban America http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fallingthru.html
UL’s Assumptions for a Program

CSA desired a partnership with UL

CSA teachers saw the potential benefits of a literacy program

Students would voluntarily elect to take on extra academic work after
school

Students would see themselves as stakeholders in the endeavor

Students would become advocates for digital inclusion on the local
and global levels

Students would develop and/or enhance their Internet and information
literacy skills
Procedural Guide
CSA Participants

15 seventh grade students

The CSA seventh grade teaching team
Procedural Guide
Library team

Program coordinator and primary instructor

CSA liaison

Publications coordinator

Mentors/lab assistants

Hospitality coordinator
Program Spaces and Metaphors
According to a recent Pew study, ‘internet savvy’ students employ five metaphors
to explain their Internet use :

The Internet as a virtual textbook or library

The Internet as a tutor and study aid

The Internet as a guidance counselor

The Internet as a virtual locker, backpack, and notebook

The Internet as a study group
The Digital Disconnect: The widening gap between Internet-savvy students
and their schools
http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=67
Spaces and Metaphors
I. Physical Space for the Program
Dedicated Conference/Meeting Room
Introduces students to a 21st century work-team
environment
Spaces and Metaphors
II.
Virtual Space
A dedicated virtual space is essential for participants
to cultivate 21st century literacy skills (please see next slide)
Virtual Space
Curriculum planning
Our challenge was to develop a curriculum that would both:

Engage middle school students

Meet objectives of the program
Classes for Students
Instruction includes:
 Introduction to the World Wide Web and Its Language
 Evaluating Information on the WWW
 Using Information Responsibly
 Web Page Design
 Media Creativity: Animation
 PowerPoint for the Classroom
 Finding Useful Web Sites and Tools
 (homework help, dictionaries, encyclopedias, online
books, study guides, etc.)
Classes for Teachers

The Digital Divide and Urban School Populations

Internet Content for Students

Fair Use Issues

Web Sites for Middle School Teachers

Incorporating Standards into the Web

PowerPoint for the Classroom
Timeline
How we would like to scale the program
Students
7th grade teachers
All CSA teachers
1st yr.
2nd yr.
3rd yr.
Program Summary: Lessons Learned

Involve school librarian/media specialist whenever
possible

Have realistic expectations for parental
involvement

Plan for technical problems with School agency
Program Summary: Successes
 Assumptions confirmed
 Students developed skills and increased
awareness
 Students and teachers became advocates for
digital inclusion
 Program received enthusiastic support
from all participants and partners