Connect Chicago

The Next Connect Chicago Meetup is January 30

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Please join us at our first meetup luncheon of 2015.

Erin Simpson , Public Policy Student at the University of Chicago & Civic Tech Fellow at Microsoft, will talk about her research of Connect Chicago locations.

Digital Dividends: Assessing the Use & Impact of Free Public Computer Labs in Chicago

This analysis seeks to understand the ways in which the free, public computer labs in the Connect Chicago network have impacted users and communities. By surveying more than 300 users at a cross-section of Connect Chicago locations, this research will analyze  the role that public computer centers play in urban neighborhoods and the ways in which users leverage those resources. By understanding the impacts that centers are having on users and communities, I will be able to present a preliminary evaluation of the city, state, and federal policies that have supported community-based organizations in maintaining the labs, inform the conversation about the role of the state in providing technology resources, and generate actionable policy recommendations for improving Connect Chicago locations. Secondary research questions for the project include understanding the interplay between digital and physical community-building and identifying successful strategies to promoting digital literacy.

Resources and Reading Toward a Digital City

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One of our programs is Connect Chicago, a loose network of more than 250 places where you can use a computer for free. It is a central part of our work around both access to the Internet and digital skills.

I also serve as the chair the of the Eliminate the Digital Divide Advisory Committee of the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development Eliminate the Digital Divide Grant Program.

In measuring the impact of the work of Connect Chicago members, we spend a lot of time gathering research. Here’s a look at some of the publications we look to for guidance.

Digital Citizenship: The-Internet society and Participation

Digital Citizenship: The-Internet society and Participation

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Toolkit: Flash Drives as a Key for Digital Access and Productivity

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When we think of digital access, most of us assume that we’re talking about access to the internet. However, there is more than digital access than just being able to go to a public computing center. Portable storage like flash drives play a vital role in allowing people to take advantage of technology. This is one story that illustrates the value of flash drives in an urban public computing center environment.

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Benchmark: Chicago Public Library Cyber Navigator Program

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“Establish a smart community benchmark and toolkit for broadband access and use” is Initiative Four of the City of Chicago Tech Plan. The Connect Chicago program is an essential component of that initiative. As part of this, we’re highlighting programs that are quintessential programs that we consider crucial to having a connected city for all.

One of the first comprehensive technology training programs in the city, the CyberNavigators program at Chicago Public Libraries has led the way in bridging the digital divide in Chicago.

Bessie Coleman

About the CyberNavigator Program

CyberNavigators are computer tutors that work in 44 libraries across Chicago, where they served almost 90,000 library patrons in 2011. Through technology training and mentoring, one-on-one assistance and public classes, CyberNavigators work with library patrons to teach computer basics, resume writing, word processing, internet searching and more.

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Connect Chicago Toolkit: USA Learns

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“Establish a smart community benchmark and toolkit for broadband access and use” is initiative four of the City of Chicago Tech Plan. The Connect Chicago program is an essential component of that initiative.

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Stephen Alderson, Director of Adult Education at Instituto del Progreso Latino spoke at the last WeConnectChicago meetup to talk about their CYBER-ESL program, a blended online English as a second language  program for adult ESL learners.  One component of this program is the use of the USALearns website.

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Connect Chicago Toolkit: Typing Club

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“Establish a smart community benchmark and toolkit for broadband access and use” is initiative four of the City of Chicago Tech Plan. the Connect Chicago program is an essential component of that initiative.

Rene Paccha works for the Spanish Coalition for Housing teaching digital skills to residents at their Pilsen and Southeast Chicago locations.

During the last Connect Chicago Meetup group,  Rene described how he teaches beginners how to use the keyboard. We caught up with Rene in southeast Chicago during one of his tutoring sessions to talk about the tools that he uses to teach keyboarding . 

typingclub

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Connect Chicago Toolkit: YouCanBookMe

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“Establish a smart community benchmark and toolkit for broadband access and use” is initiative four of the City of Chicago Tech Plan. the Connect Chicago program is an essential component of that initiative. 

At our last Connect Chicago meetup, Rene Paccha demonstrated some of the tools that he works with teaching digital skills to residents at their Pilsen and Southeast Chicago locations. One of these tools is YouCanBookMe, which Rene uses to let residents schedule training sessions. 

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Smart Chicago Collaborative and the City’s Technology Plan

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Earlier this month, Chicago Chief Technology Officer John Tolva unveiled the city’s very first technology plan. The plan was a result of a year-long process of research, brainstorming, and thinking about how to make all of Chicago competitive in the new digital economy.

This plan is a comprehensive framework for growing Chicago’s technology sector , getting broadband connectivity for everyone, and  ensuring that Chicago remains a leader in open government data .

The plan also highlights the work that the civic technology community has been doing in Chicago. From the weekly OpenGov Hack Nights, the Smart Communities Program, and youth STEM programs; Chicago already enjoys a strong set of technology strengths and this plan will enable the city to advance even further.

Smart Chicago Collaborative is proud to have a key role in many of these initiatives and is dedicated to  implementing this plan. Here’s a look at our role in the plan and the aspects of our existing work in this context.

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