 |
The Teleliteracy Assistance for Businesses and Communities (Teleliteracy
ABCs or T-ABCs) program began in May 2000 with a $250,000 grant from Qwest Communications International, Inc.
(formerly US WEST). The program was designed to establish realistic expectations while stressing the
importance of the Internet and related technologies to the economic and social well being of rural communities
and businesses in New Mexico. In addition, the program aims to raise awareness among local businesses
owners and government leaders about the growing "digital divide" between urban and rural areas and the need
to bridge that gap. |
|
Each of the four modules in the T-ABCs program is aimed at a distinct rural
audience: the general public, business and community leaders, individual business owners, and local
government/community officials. T-ABCs offers basic tools to independently take advantage of increasing e-commerce
and e-government opportunities.
T-ABCs curriculum were developed by faculty from New Mexico State University's College of Arts and Sciences,
College of Business and Cooperative Extension Service in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics. Extension's
video and Internet production unit developed tools for the programs including a site on the World Wide Web
(http://www.nmtabcs.org) CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs, print materials and workbooks.
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. |
click to view as larger image |
During the development of the program, one of the modules was presented in
each of six pilot communities in the winter and spring of 2001. Audiences were generally small, but highly
complimentary about program materials. Low audience turnout signaled the need for local activists to promote
the Internet as essential to rural business and community economic survival in the Internet Age. |
