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The Dimensions of Digital Empowerment

The terminology surrounding digital inclusion has evolved rapidly over the past few years as field practitioners come to understand the technological and motivational complexities involved in bringing underserved populations online in ways that are meaningful and long lasting for them. In her exploration of “digital empowerment,” Karen Archer Perry, founder and principal consultant of Karacomm, sees multiple dimensions in the endeavor, each requiring careful attention and assessment over the lifespan of digital-inclusion initiatives.

Digital-divide terminology has evolved from a binary discussion about who is or isn’t online to a much richer dialogue on the many facets of digital literacy. The broader goal of digital empowerment encompasses access to bandwidth and equipment as well as digital-literacy training that is tightly connected to the value that ICT offers in people’s lives. Most importantly, digital-empowerment programs require pragmatic and sustainable processes that celebrate the journey from novice to fully functioning “digital citizen” to “empowered innovator.” Digital empowerment can be explored along three dimensions: access to bandwidth, digital literacy and computing hardware.

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Educause, April 26, 2006

Aiming To Be America's Premier Wireless City: The Philadelphia Story

Featured Speaker, Karen Archer Perry

Philadelphia seeks to spur economic development and transform its neighborhoods by blanketing the city with affordable wireless Internet access. The Wireless Philadelphia initiative has sparked a nationwide trend where local governments are recognizing the value of public Internet access to citizens, business, and education, while enabling government offices to provide access to public services in a more efficient manner. This session will discuss the impetus for the project, its progress to date, and the need for public-private collaboration.


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