Next Steps and Challenges

The Information Technology Indicators presented here are the first step in providing a tracking of technology impacts in the Seattle area. The next step is to collect measurements on the indicators presented here. Some of this data already exists as a result of other studies, while some of it will be collected specifically for this project. As appropriate, surveying and focus groups will be conducted to collect the new data. This new data, combined with what is already existing, will make up the first set of measurements for these indicators.

After the data has been collected, it will be published and distributed broadly to the community. Along with this data will be a set of recommendations and action steps for groups to use to target the areas identified by these indicators.

In creating these indicators, we discovered that there is still much work to be done to measure the impact of technology on our community that cannot be covered in this effort. One of the most clearly defined needs was for a comprehensive evaluation of the community technology centers (CTC’s) in the city. There is a need for data about usage, awareness of resources, curriculum, availability, barriers to usage, effectiveness of training and population served that could not be covered with this set of indicators. A need for a separately funded and developed evaluation needs to be on the agenda. If these public access centers are to be a resource for our residents, we need to know what quality of access and training is available.

As described in the introductory section, there are also areas where defining the indicator is extremely difficult or where there are significant barriers to collecting the data in a reliable and valid means. However there are important stories to tell and public discussion to have about the impact of information technology on our personal lives and the life of our community

This project is part of the City of Seattle Citizens Technology Literacy and Access initiative in cooperation with the volunteer Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board (CTTAB) and Sustainable Seattle. Additional assistance for the forum is being provided by Progress Project of the Evans School of Public Affairs and the Glaser Progress Foundation and Seattle Community Network.

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