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The New Mexico Teleliteracy Assistance for Businesses and Communities program was
funded by Qwest Communications International, Inc. This program is composed of four
modules aimed at four rural audiences; the general public, business and community
leaders, individual businesses, and local government. The intention in the entire
Teleliteracy ABCs program has been to stress the importance of the Internet and
related technologies to the economic and social well being of rural communities
and businesses in New Mexico.
In developing the educational materials, New Mexico business people and community
leaders in rural areas across the state were interviewed to provide examples of
successful use of the Internet in e-commerce and e-government. Materials developed
include promotional pieces, a web site, audience workbooks, DVD movies, videotapes,
CD PowerPoint presentations with imbedded video clips and web sites, trainer notes,
and speaker notes. Train the Trainer sessions were held with Small Business Development
Centers and others to develop local non-Extension trainers.
In conducting one of the modules in each of six pilot communities in the winter
and spring of 2001, audiences were generally small, but highly complementary about
program materials. Low audience turnout emphasized the need for local activists to
promote the Internet as essential to rural business and community economic survival
in the Internet Age.
During the pilot stage the second module was determined to be of greatest immediate
importance, because of a reluctance of many rural residents to realize the importance of
teleliteracy. This second module sends out a call for "Rural Internet Activists" among
rural leaders at the community level. Subtitled "A Call for Rural Internet Activists,"
module 2 is an advocacy program. Telecommunications infrastructure, high-speed Internet
access, and related expertise are limited in rural areas. Local advocates are needed to
convince local businesses and community leaders of the importance of working together
to overcome these limitations. Active leadership at the local level is crucial to
bringing about change in a timely manner. |
