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Autor: Gomez, RicardoTema: Information and communication technologies

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    Crossing new borders: computers, mobile phones, transportation, and English language among Hispanic day laborers in Seattle, Washington
    (2013-10-23) Barón Porras, Luis Fernando
    Here we present an investigation of the use of computers and mobile phones by Hispanic day laborers at Casa Latina, a community-building nonprofit organization for Latino immigrants in Seattle, Washington. Drawing from 95 structured interviews, 6 in-depth interviews, a focus group, and a series of participatory observations of computer training classes at Casa Latina, we find that information and communication technologies (ICT) help immigrant day laborers remain connected with their families and their employers and facilitate their navigation of, and integration into, the society in which they have precarious social and economic standing. ICT help immigrant day laborers maintain links with their past and their roots, offer tools to navigate their present needs, and help them build future plans and aspirations. Hispanic day laborers experience ICT mostly through mobile phones used to communicate with employers and families; they use computers and the Internet to communicate with family and friends. In addition, the experience of the immigrant day laborers is strongly influenced by their English-language proficiency—which helps them navigate daily life in the United States and communicate with employers—and their use of transportation to move around the city for work and daily life. The results of this study offer new insight into the ways in which day laborers in Seattle use ICT to help them meet personal and employment needs and realize their long-term goals.
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    Relationships and Connectedness: Weak Ties that Help Social Inclusion Through Public Access Computing
    (2013-10-01) Gomez, Ricardo
    Of all the benefits public access to computers (PAC) offer users, the most valued by users are having more information for stronger relationships, better learning, and effective transactions. This article analyzes the most salient benefit, more information for stronger relationships with friends and family. Results of a qualitative study among users of libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés in Colombia, South America, show that social media and personal relationships can also have an important community and sociopolitical dimension. By fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness to community and to a larger world, PAC usage often leads to feelings of empowerment and development of social capital, two intangible factors that are critical for community development. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews in five regions of the country, to uncover the benefits of PAC for underserved communities. Its findings contribute new insight about the impact of information and communication technologies on community development and social inclusion. © 2013 Commonwealth Secretariat.