resources at technology for humanity
 

Please select an category below:

General Links
Education/Training Resources
Reports / Statistics
Grants
 
GENDER
 Girls, Technology and Online Content
 Technology and Gender Equity
 Women Online
 Women in the Computer Industry
 
ACCCESS

 National Initiatives/Information Resources
 National Community Training Resources
 Local Community Training Resources
 Surveys and Statistics on Computer Access
 
Employment

 Jobs and Income
 
Research


US Chamber of Commerce
Digital Divide Site

National Org

A Partner in the Endeavor

National Focus

International Focus

IT Sites Directory

The Jim Mullen Foundation

Local Organization

Our Local Digital Divide site

PowerPoint presentation

Retire-IT!

Northbrook, IL site/chamber

Christian Cmnty Computer Centers

The Beaumont Foundation

Chicago Sports/CEO Agent

Chicago based organization

Chicago based/gives kids vouchers…

Our Business site

Pew Internet & American Life Project

Recycling

Workforce Development

Facts about E-Waste

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EDUCATION/TRAINING RESOURCES

The IT Resource Center
http://www.itresourcecenter.org
The IT Resource Center helps nonprofit organizations use computers. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit Center provides comprehensive technology planning, training and support services to more than 400 organizations each year.

U.S. Department of Education
http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov
On January 8, 2002, when the No Child Left Behind Act became the law of the land, we began a new era of education in our nation's history. Democrats and Republicans in Congress joined together with President Bush in an historic agreement to improve the educational opportunities for every American child.

Connect Chicago
http://www.connectchicago.net
Chicago’s information society is expanding rapidly. Increased technology awareness, commitment by Chicago government to bring high speed Internet connection to Chicago, and more computer training and internet access opportunities in low-income communities will ensure that ALL Chicagoans will be more equipped to participate in our information based society.

International Education and Resource Network (I*EARN)
http://www.iearn.org
Pioneer in the use of technology for education since 1988. Recently created an initiative for disadvantaged youth including those who are institutionalized, not enrolled in school, homeless, runaways, or orphans, in efforts to provide technical skills and educational opportunities they might not get elsewhere.

International Society for Technology in Education
http://www.iste.org
ISTE is a nonprofit professional organization with a worldwide membership of leaders and potential leaders in educational technology. We are dedicated to providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in K–12 education and teacher education. We provide our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of incorporating computers, the Internet, and other new technologies into their schools.

American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/parents/index.html
The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. Their site has many resources including booklists and Web sites for parents, kids, teens and families.

HomeworkCentral.com
http://www.HomeworkCentral.com
A comprehensive, free guide to online knowledge for all. With over 75,000 hand-picked links covering over 10,000 subjects from architecture to zoology, HomeworkCentral.com is, as Yahoo! Internet Life Magazine says, the "Best of the Web."

Educational CyberPlayGround
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com
The Educational CyberPlayGround provides teachers, parents, librarians, and home schoolers, a "webliography" of links to educational resources in a wide range of subjects.

School.net
http://www.school.net
School.net focuses on K12 education and has resources for teachers, students, and parents including educational information, links to schools, Internet help, and more. It is a non-profit and run by volunteers.

Smart Tools Academy
http://www.technology-alliance.com/
The Smart Tools Academy has been developed to promote the effective use of technology in Washington's K-12 schools by training approximately 2,500 public and private school superintendents and principals over the next two years. The University of Washington K-12 Institute for Science, Math, & Technology and theTechnology Alliance have partnered to create the Smart Tools Academy. Education leaders, business representatives, and community members from around Washington State support and advise the Academy.

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REPORTS / STATISTICS

The Learning Connection
http://www.benton.org/Library/Schools
Report on how educators are dealing with the rate of technological change as it relates to education. Also discusses major players in the education technology arena.

United States Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/
Technology Source of information on universal service proposals and statistics on number of schools wired in the United States.

Quality Education Data (QED)
http://www.qeddata.com
Provides interesting statistical data on how much money schools spend on technology.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
http://www.fcc.gov
Independent government agency charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Also has an extensive Web site with universal service proposals, calendars for hearings and decisions on regulations.

National Center for Education Statistics
http://www.nces.ed.gov
NCES is an arm of the U.S. Department of Education that collects statistics and publishes reports about the state of U.S. education. The site is a resource for current data about technology in schools and related demographics.

Educational Testing Service
http://www.ets.org
Source of many educational tests in schools (SAT, AP, GRE, etc.). ETS also conducts research about trends in education and education technology.

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GRANTS

Learning in the Real World
http://www.realworld.org
Learning in the Real World is dedicated to a rational examination of the costs and benefits of education technology before a decision is made concerning where and how much to invest. It also makes research grants in order to develop, analyze and distribute information which will allow people to make rational decisions about when education technology is a positive tool for children and when it detracts from their development. This site offers an extensive supplemental reading page with dozens of relevant articles on the costs and benefits of wiring America's schools.

National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE)
http://www.nfie.org
Provides grants and technical assistance to teachers and educators to improve student learning in public schools. Key program of NFIE is ¦The Road Ahead,² a $3 million effort to support the use of communications technology in the classroom, funded by the profits of Microsoft CEO Bill Gates' book of the same name.

Computers for Learning
http://www.computers.fed.gov/
The program is designed to donate surplus Federal computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofits, giving special consideration to those with the greatest need. A school is eligible to receive donations through the Computers for Learning program it if is a public, private, parochial, or home school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students and located within the United States of America or its territories.

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GENDER
GIRLS, TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE CONTENT

GirlTech
http://www.girltech.com
GirlTech is an award-wining site with over 400 pages of fun, educational content. Featuring games, an advice column, weekly diary, women role models, science projects, invention, sports, and a boys' area designed to encourage communication and understanding between girls and boys.

Purple Moon
http://web.purple-moon.com/
Safe, highly interactive and entertaining place for girls to have their very own "Friendship Adventures" online. Characters such as Rockett take you on scavenger hunts, let you write stories, vote on new ideas, as well as teach girls to create their own web pages.

Girl Games
http://www.planetgirl.com/xprs_aggi.html
Entertainment company designing and developing innovative products including: Interactive CD-ROMs, Online environments, Research and development, Broadcast, and Toys for girls 8-18 years old.

Smart Grrls
http://www.smartgrrls.org
Founded in 1997 by a 26-year-old woman with little more than $500 and a credit line, SmartGrrls has now become a definitive site on the web, devoted to giving hands-on instruction and role models in math, science and engineering.

Girls Incorporated
http://www.girlsinc.org
National youth organization dedicated to helping every girl become strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. has given vital educational programs to millions of American girls for more than 50 years. Current programs with Girls Inc. are aimed at helping girls confront subtle societal stereotypes about their value and potential, and aim to prepare them to lead successful, independent lives.

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TECHNOLOGY AND GENDER EQUITY

Carnegie Mellon Gender Equity & C++ Training
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/6apt
Site devoted to teachers on how to use and teach the C++ language, which will be introduced in the 1999 Computer Science Advanced Placement exam in all high schools, as well as how to establish and maintain gender equity in the classroom and computer lab, in order to attract and retain female students in computing courses.

American Association of University Women
http://www.aauw.org/
Devoted to promoting equity and education for all women and girls. Has published several landmark studies on how young girls are subtly steered away from academic success, including success in math and science. Site gives summaries of the studies and information on how to order copies by mail or phone.

Institute for Women and Technology
http://www.parc.xerox.com/oct/projects/iwt.org/iwt.html
Creating opportunities for women to bring their needs to the table and to participate fully in the definition and creation of new technologies.

Committee on the Status of Women in Computer Science and Engineering http://www.cra.org/Activities/craw/
Their goal is to take positive action to increase the number of women participating in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) research and education at all levels.

GenTech
http://www.shecan.com
GenTech is an applied research project whose mandate is to create conditions within which girls and women have maximum access to, and confidence in, a wide range of new information technologies.

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WOMEN ONLINE

ChickClick
http://www.chickclick.com
Network of "independent, girl-powered Web sites." Their sites include: riotgrrl, GrrlGamer, Fresh and Tasty Women's Snowboarding, Swanky, Go, Girl! and many others.

WorldWIT (Women. Insights.Technology)
http://worldwit.org/
http://worldwit.org/Chapters/ChicWIT/
Welcome to WorldWIT, the free, friendly online and offline resource for women in business and technology. More than 70 WorldWIT chapters around the world offer a unique blend of local networking, resources, global connectivity, and answers.

Webgrrls
http://www.webgrrls.com/
International networking group of women involved in the web, CD-ROM and other electronic media. Provides a forum for women in or interested in new media and technology to network, exchange job and business leads, form strategic alliances, mentor and teach, intern and learn the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly technical workplace and world.

FeMiNa
http://femina.cybergrrl.com/fs.jhtml?/about.html
Great directory of women's resources on the web, compiled by Internet marketing consultant Aliza Sherman, creator of the Cybergrrl site.

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WOMEN IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY

International Network of Women in Technology (WITI)
http://www.witi.com/
This association of women working in high-tech fields has a web page that includes membership information, text of the federal Glass Ceiling report on women and minorities in corporate management, and a list of other online resources for women in the technology field.

The Center for Women and Information Technology
http://www.umbc.edu/cwit/
The Center for Women and Information Technology web site offers extensive news of women and IT; announcements; links to women-related web sites focusing on Science/Technology, on Internet Information, and on resources for girls; information about women-related email lists in Science/Technology; and a vast collection of web-based syllabi for women- and gender-related courses, including courses focusing on women and science/technology. A recent Wired Women column on ABCNews.com called site "the best resource on women and technology on the Web."

Systers
http://www-anw.cs.umass.edu/~amy/systers.html
Systers-students is a mailing list open to all female graduate and undergraduate students studying computer science and related areas.

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ACCESS
NATIONAL INITIATIVES/INFORMATION RESOURCES

The Digital Divide Network
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org
The Benton Foundation and the National Urban League, with private foundations and companies from across the Internet, computing, telecommunications and software industries have launched The Digital Divide Network, the first-ever initiative to coordinate information, strategies and efforts targeting solutions to the Digital Divide. The new site is a comprehensive clearinghouse on completed and ongoing efforts to expand access by underserved communities to the Internet and information technology.

DigitalDivide.gov
http://www.DigitalDivide.gov
This website serves as a gateway for Federal government-related digital divide initiatives. The site was announced at the December 9, Dept. of Commerce Digital Divide Summit. Among other resources, RealVideo transcripts of the Summit's morning Executive Roundtable session are available here.

OneNetNow.com
www.OneNetNow.com
OneNetNow.com is the first online community Web site specifically designed to provide relevant content, community and e-commerce for the multi-ethnic user. OneNetNow.com will utilize its unique resources to proactively cultivate the African-American and Latino communities who are being left behind in the technological revolution, known as the Digital Divide. OneNetNow.com will be a dynamic, culturally diverse online community that allows its members to connect through common interests, original content and create interactive dialogue.

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NATIONAL COMMUNITY TRAINING RESOURCES

National Urban League
http://www.nul.org
A pioneering civil rights organization, operating technology-based initiatives in low income communities since 1968 and promoting advocacy and program services on the social and educational development of youth, economic independence and racial equality. The Urban League has 115 affiliates in 34 states.

Community Technology Centers Network (CTCNet)
http://www.ctcnet.org
Organization of more than 250 computer access centers in the United States. The centers partner with schools, museums, community centers and churches to provide training and promote equitable access to technology.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America
http://www.bgca.org/
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. More than 25 national programs are available in the ares of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics.

Urban Technology Center
http://www.urbantech.org
A non-profit corporation dedicated to preparing inner-city communities across the country for full participation in the information age by creating a technology and telecommunications infrastructure.

Alliance for Community Media
http://www.alliancecm.org
National organization focusing on equal access to electronic media. Provides technical assistance, promotes successful applications of technology and advocates for support to its members which include 950 public, educational and government access centers.

AmeriCorps*VISTA
http://www.americorps.org/vista_tech
AmeriCorps*VISTA is recruiting individuals to serve one year with technology projects all over the country. Over 400 members will be placed between now and the fall of 2000. National sponsors include the United Way of America (Teaming for TECHnology), PowerUP, NetDay, TECH CORPS; there are also a variety of locally-based projects such as the Ohio Community Computing Networks and CyberLynx in Oregon.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY TRAINING RESOURCES

The Association for Community Networking
http://www.afcn.org/
The Association For Community Networking provides resources, shared learning, and experienced guidance to help communities and organizations use information and communications technologies effectively.

NPOTechs
http://npotechs.net
NPOTechs consists of technology enthusiasts, staff members of non-profit-organizations, and other people interested in empowering our communities by helping to bring open-source and free technologies to non-profits.

Plugged In, Inc.
http://www.pluggedin.org
A non-profit company in one of Silicon Valley's poorest communities, Plugged In runs an after-school program for elementary school children and offers classes for teenagers in numerous technology areas.

Technology Access Foundation
http://www.techaccess.org
A non-profit agency in Seattle, WA with a mission to provide communities of color access to technology. This is the brainchild of Microsoft retiree Trish Millines and former Seattle Mental Health practitioner Jill Hull. TAF was started in October 1996 to educate communities to the role of technology in their present and future.

Break Away Technologies
http://www.breakaway.org
15,000 foot access center in South Central Los Angeles that uses donated computers to give technology classes for neighborhood residents and area schools. Break Away also teaches leadership and responsibility in efforts to facilitate students entering this increasingly technological workplace.

OpNet
http://www.opnetwork.org/
San Francisco-based OpNet helps bridge the digital divide by creating economic development opportunities for low-income young adults, increasing the employment of women and people of color in the digital economy, and helping to meet the growing demand for skilled new media workers. OpNet is a compelling national model that forges a strong business-community partnership to benefit both the new media industry and low-income youth.

Computers in Our Future
http://www.compfuture.org/compfuture
A five-year initiative charged with developing 11 community computer training centers in low-income neighborhoods across California.

Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP)
http://www.sriconsulting.com/weap
Provides access for women and minority-owned businesses to high-tech equipment and applications in Oakland, CA. A computer training program offers basic, intermediate and advanced computer training to prepare low-income women and minorities for well-paying jobs and better careers.

East Harlem Tutorial Program
http://www.east-harlem.com/ehtp.htm
EHTP in New York City supports students in all forms of learning programs, technical and otherwise. EHTP believes that support depends on developing the capacities of every member of the EHTP extended family, the students, their parents and ties guardians, volunteers, staff, trustees and donors.

Kids Computer Workshop
http://www.kcw.org
Bringing technology and mentoring to Washington, DC's at-risk youth. Provides computer skills training that focuses on literacy and critical thinking activities. Seeks to build youth confidence and self-esteem while exposing them to positive role models.

CitySkills
http://www.CitySkills.org
CitySkills.org is a non-profit intermediary committed to job training and placement of underemployed urban adults into Internet careers. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, CitySkills.org is developing curriculum, technical assistance, and a jobs linkage model to help community groups match training to the needs of employers. The web site offers over 150 pages of free tools and guidance.

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SURVEYS AND STATISTICS ON COMPUTER ACCESS

Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
Released by NTIA in July 8, 1999, this is the third report in the Falling Through the Net series on the Telecommunications and Information Technology Gap in America. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch's principal voice on domestic and international telecommunications and information technology issues. NTIA works to spur innovation, encourage competition, help create jobs and provide consumers with more choices and better quality telecommunications products and services at lower prices.

Bridging the Digital Divide: The Impact of Race on Computer Access and Internet Use
http://www2000.ogsm.vanderbilt.edu/papers/race/science.html
A comprehensive report analyzing the demographic patterns of Internet access and computer usage from late 1996 to early 1997. A systematic examination of the differences between African Americans and whites in the U.S. with regard to the influence of education and income on technological access.

Buildings, Books and Bytes: Libraries and communities in the digital age
http://www.benton.org/Library/Kellog
A report on how libraries can help communities move into the digital age.

Closing the Digital Divide: Enhancing Hispanic Participation in the Information Age http://www.cgs.edu/inst/trc.html
Study on computer ownership and use among Hispanics between 1994-98.

NUA surveys
http://www.nua.ie/surveys
A service which gathers Internet-related data and demographics from a variety of sources and posts them on the Web site. Also a mailing list with weekly updates of various Internet usage information, focusing on how many people are "online'.

Web Users are Looking More Like Americans
http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/pubper/pdf/pp93b.pdf
Study that found the population accessing the Internet increasingly reflects the general population. The report notes that there is still a difference, though, in the areas of education and income: web users are still more likely to be people with college degrees and incomes of at least $50,000, and adults with a high school education or less account for only 19% of web users.

Computer Intelligence
http://www.ci.zd.com
Source of fact-based information on computer and communications industry trends and activities.

Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy
http://www.civilrightsforum.org/
The Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy works to bring civil rights organizations and community groups into the debate over the future of our media environment The site includes a discussion and research on the digital divide. It also includes information on community organizations, links and other resources.

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EMPLOYMENT
JOBS and INCOME

Economic Policy Institute
http://www.epinet.org
Locate detailed information on wages, jobs, and the economic outlook of the globe.

Jobs for the Future
http://www.jff.org
Jobs for the Future's goal is to devise and disseminate strategies that engage young people and adults in their own learning and equip them to shape their futures. Community-based programs geared toward getting young adults into the workforce with all the necessary technological tools.

Monthly Labor Review
http://www.stats.bls.gov/empmlr97.htm
This site provides an employment outlook through 2006. It also lists hot and not-so-hot jobs, including earning potential and other demographics.

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RESEARCH

Benton Foundation
http://www.benton.org
Organization for research, policy analysis, print, video and online publishing, as well as outreach to non-profits and foundations. Updates on communications policy and events, a forum for discussion, and working papers, not to mention links to hundreds of online communications and public interest resources. The Benton Foundation also has a weekly list service called [email protected] "Up for Grabs' that delivers e-mailbox updates of all Benton activities and issues.

Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm
Access to various research and statistical information on earnings and jobs. Regularly updated releases.

Educational Development Center (EDC) / Center for Children and Technology (CCT)
http://www.edc.org
Conducts research on how different societal groups perceive technology. One of EDC's projects, "Access by Design', develops approaches to increase access for under-represented groups.

High Technology and Low-Income Communities:
Prospects for the Positive Use of Advanced Information Technology

http://www.mit.edu/sap/www.high-low
Set of papers which takes a practical yet critical look at the potential impacts of technology on cities, communities, and the prospects for access to employment and education by low income populations.

Nielsen Media Research
http://www.nielsenmedia.com
Numerous demographics on technology users, incomes, trends, etc.

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