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An Ideal CTC: Strategies for Community Development from Austin Community Technology CentersTo the Future: Thoughts about our Research and BeyondOur research framework focused on community development, learning environments, and community competence. The process of engaging, learning, and collectively acting together is the driver of comprehensive development. We practiced a different type of research that relied on a community of inquiry, where researchers were constantly recording their observations on the different theories they read and practices they observed as visitors in different centers, then challenging and rebuilding their assumptions. Researchers discussed theories and findings with CTC staff and participants, verifying and revising based on those conversations. This type of research was the distinguishing factor of this project. Although our research supported many of our initial claims, there are future endeavors that should be undertaken to yield a more in-depth understanding of the community development process. Our surveys were adept at capturing details regarding students' learning experiences in a CTC. However, research that captures the qualitative side of the learning process would also be useful. Research to explore educational barriers would be helpful in improving program development. Most importantly, our team believed that more time spent at the twelve sites we worked with would have been of value in further grounding and deepening our research. All of the organizations studied are doing good things for their participants and communities. Their lessons and practices are valuable tools in the creation of civic intelligence and positive community development in every city, in every state. To create lasting change in the greater Austin area, these CBOs must not continue to simply survive, but grow, thrive, and share their expertise with others who are engaged in the same work. A network of CTCs is intrinsically important to this process. Centers must communicate with one another to share best practices, educate themselves about different programs, and band together to advocate for their communities. This insures that their community development practices do not occur in isolation, but touch the entire Austin community and go even further to benefit communities everywhere. We have tried, with this document, to share some of these best practices. We hope that our work has been and will be of use to the CTCs we have worked with and to the development of health, strong communities where every citizen can fully utilize his or her gifts. In the end, that's what really matters. |
More infoDownload the complete report: An Ideal CTC (Microsoft Word) Read the report online:
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