Results? We hope so!

We created a presentation and step by step instruction sheet on how to use some internet networking tools we found to be useful. This is the proposal we sent to them regarding what we will be doing.

After putting much thought into the problem at hand, our group has decided to provide you with options on how to expand communications between the people connected to LEF. We will personally train several staff members from different sectors of LEF on how to utilize each tool for the expansion. This will ensure that more than just one part of LEF will obtain knowledge on how to keep members informed and updated. After we provide a complete demonstration, we hope that these staff members can share their knowledge with their own department to continue the use of these tools for the next generation of LEF members and staff.
It will be necessary to set up a time and arrange several staff members from different places to meet in one specific location with computer and internet access. At that time, we will explain to them the ideas we have accumulated and a general overview of all the relevant tools available. We will also provide instructions on how to use each tool and for what purpose it is best used for. The most vital tool we have all agreed on is the use of a forum. In addition, we have considered blogs, wikis, and Facebook for other connection and uses.
We hope to use this meeting to trigger the opportunity to strengthen the communications between members of LEF. Again, we hope that the staff will pass on the knowledge to allow this to be a long term solution.

Hence those that presented basically showed how to use forums, blogs (like this one), Facebook, LinkedIn and wiki's. With the instruction sheets (you can probably see them on my group member's submissions) we provided to the LEF, we hope to expand on the solution such that it will be long term instead of short term. Of course, their main concern is to keep people in touch, but once people find it no longer in their interest to keep in contact, there's no tool that can change their interests. We cannot tell if it will show changes in the mere future with what we have given them. The presentation was hosted on Thursday, the SAME day that this is due! Unless we return to them several months later to see the result, it will be tough to determine the results of our work. Let's hope it makes a significant difference. It would comfort me to see them liven that building with more youths. Not to mention it'll show UofT isn't just a name. We got some capable students coming out of it!

The digital divide in a new perspective

I always knew some people out there had less computer knowledge than me. I always knew that there are those out there that are less connected than me and my friends. But it never dawned on me how it's so near and yet so oblivious. Without first hand witnessing the building, the people, the request from LEF, I will still be blind to the fact that digital divide is everywhere. Everywhere includes developed countries! Everywhere includes my municipality, my neighbourhood, my street. Perhaps being born in this generation, computer and the internet is like the back of my hand. But thinking back, even my own parents aren't the best with this machine.

So much work.. so little time

It was difficult to share the workload equally amongst the 4 of us. It was even harder to carry out what we had promised in the time period given. Although this outreach program was given to us a while back, there were other assignments from 300 as well as other classes that all of us had to tend to first. Not until the end of March did we really get together and plan a meeting with LEF. LEF was another problem in itself. I would well assume that the association would not take us as their #1 priority. We will be prioritized, but not so heavily. Hence getting in contact with them was harder than getting in contact with each other. It took numerous attempts between our group and LEF to arrange a set time to present. What's worse, the time they preferred cannot accommodate all of us. The negotiated plan was made during our first meeting with LEF. We manage to split the work so that those that can present will do less of the preparation of the presentation. In the final stages of the prep, we finally pulled together a presentable amount of information. Keeping in mind though that during all this time, there were other pieces of work waiting to be completed.

Group work

Initially, the 4 of us was merged from two different groups. One group was from Youth and Technology and the other group is Social Networking Tools. We were informed that the two actually had similar goals. We operated well within the group. Each of us contributed here and there. However, the work was not distributed efficiently. This is mainly due to each of us having different schedules and pieces of work due at different times. We used a wiki to keep each of our ideas and used e-mail and phone calls to keep each other updated and informed. At times, it was hard to keep in touch. However, we all participated and attempted to put effort into helping LEF solve their connection problems.

First LEF meeting

The digital divide was evident the first step into the building dedicated for youth. LEF not only had a lack of furniture, they also had a lack of computers. At first glance, the room seemed unoccupied from the outside. However, a handful of people were inside the room and among them were three ladies waiting for us. The most noticeable problem that hinders this organization from reducing the gap is the lack of resources and the lack of know how. The room was furnished to accommodate no more than 20 people even though there was enough room to fit over fifty. The youth center have several computers. Those that were using it seem uninterested in the conversations held by other members in the room. From just observing the scene inside, several conclusions can already be made. The organization lacks funding toward the youth center such that it is more welcoming and more resourceful to the youths. The lack of resources stops them from getting external help from technologically knowledgeable people to aid them in their problems. Even if they did get funding, their priority for the money will probably be used to enhance the place and get more equipment. Those that do use the computers are those that take what LEF has to offer for granted. Of course, not all people are like that. However, since computer access is free for any "youths" from the age of 13-25. Any young adult with the lack of computer access will come in to use the computers for free and leave when they are finished. Hence, the connection between people does not grow. Those that were in conversation can be assumed to be volunteers or staff that try to help a few youths present at the time. The digital gap is apparent since no one is available to close the gap nor is there resources nor the know how to help do that.