Community technology centers, an option for access to technology in rural areas

Abstract

With the experience gained with the Conexiones project, in the development of technological learning environments in the schools of Colombia, a pilot center and a school network has been created. The center aims at establishing a direct relationship between the Technological Community Centers (TCC) models created for rural and urban education and the TCC models required for sustainable community development. The goal of TCC modeling is to demonstrate that shared low-tech facilities can prove successful models for sustainable community development if they incorporate strong community participation, educational modules customized to fulfill assessed community needs and conditions. As part of the approach, the project will establish technology centers for community (schools located). The Centers and the capacity building programs will be designed to catalyze a firm integration of the communities to their educational institutions (schools). These centers will provide training and access to information and communication services to school and community.