Working Hypothesis: Learning Opportunities

Community-based organizations that provide a variety of learning opportunities are more effective at developing community competence.

Corollary 1: CTCs that provide engaging, relevant content are more effective at expanding learning and the utilization of Internet resources.

Corollary 2: CTC programs that promote interaction between and among participants and staff will generate social capital.

Corollary 3: CTCs that provide a variety of programs at a variety of times will better be able to serve a community with different needs.

Physical Capacity

Questions about Interaction

Research Question: Does physical space foster relationships between students and teachers?
Survey Questions: What kind of other activities go on in the lab? Does layout of room allow for non-computer related activities?

Questions about Content

Research Question: Does the physical hardware enable participants to work with interesting and up-to-date content?
Survey Questions: What kind of and how much technology do you have? How much content is donated?

Questions about Structure

Research Question: Does the organization provide students with the opportunity to work with technology outside of the lab?
Survey Questions: Can participants check anything out?

Social Capacity

Questions about Interaction, for participants

Research Question: Are students and teachers forming supportive relationships?
Survey Questions: Do students and teachers talk about things other than class? Do you feel comfortable asking your teacher questions about the computer or other issues? Do you feel like you are involved in your students' lives outside of class?

Research Question: Are participants teaching each other?
Survey Questions: Do you ask other students for help? Do you help other students? How many people did you know here when you started coming? How many do you know now? How often do you see people helping each other out on the computer.

Questions about Content

Research Question: Is the content engaging?
Survey Questions: (for participants) Is what you are doing fun? Do you feel like you will use what you are learning after class has ended?
(for staff) What kinds of teaching methods do you incorporate (project-based, skill based, other)? Is content relevant? How do you find out what students need and plan accordingly?

Research Question: Are students taught to be independent thinkers?
Survey Questions: (for participants) Do you have class time to figure things out on your own?
(for staff) How do you answer a student when he or she is confused?

Research Question: Are teachers capable of teaching the most up-to-date/interesting content?
Survey Questions: Are there opportunities for professional development? What kind of training/life experiences do you have?

Questions about Structure

Research Question: Do the students have time for tinkering?
Survey Questions: How much free time do students have? How much time do you spend working on projects on your own?

Research Question: Does the CTC have just a set curriculum?
Survey Question: Do you follow curriculum strictly or do you tailor it to meet students' needs?

Research Question: Are programs offered for participants with differing needs?
Survey Questions: What is the length of program(s)? What times are the programs offered?

Research Question: What is the level of structure for classes?
Survey Questions: Do you have attendance rules, grades, tests, rules? What would be beneficial to your time here? What does your dream center look like? Rate your satisfaction with the program.