Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2005
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
EdD
College
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Learning Sciences and Human Development
Committee Chair
David L. McCrory.
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to inform both existing and developing community technology initiatives as to the critical factors for building effective rural community technology centers. Rural community technology centers which had been operating for at least two years were identified and contacted by telephone. Either a paid or volunteer staff person was interviewed using a semi-structured protocol of open-ended questions. Responses were taped, transcribed and coded using standard tools and procedures for qualitative investigation. Codes were grouped in 12 thematic groups. Relative occurrences of codes within each group were analyzed. Participants were asked what criteria were used to measure effectiveness of their centers. Participants also made recommendations about alternative evaluation metrics that could be evidence of the impact of their centers on participants. The findings suggest eleven areas that require attention when developing rural community technology centers or networks. Results also support Maughan's model of a robust communication system and Kling's Social Informatics theory.
Recommended Citation
Gooding, Daphne, "Identifying critical factors for developing effective rural community technology centers" (2005). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2648.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2648