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The Virtual Community
Communities of Place
A Community Wide
Education and Information System (CWEIS)
The importance of an
organized community
Discussion
Computers are tools that serve many different purposes. In the same sense, telecommunications will impact many aspects of society. This presentation will focus upon only one element - the role of the telecommunications in local community development. Community Development incorporates efforts which strengthen the capacity of a local community, its organizations and residents to improve their lives.
Much has been made of the "Virtual Community" - the capacity of individuals to communicate with one another around the world without leaving their home or their computer screen. Sometimes "communities of interest" develop which grow into important relationships among participants. This is an important new cultural phenomenon. Some would argue that the telecommunications revolution may further diminish the value of the "real" community for individuals. It seems more likely, however, that virtual communities will provide a new option for people that can be important in their lives. Communities of interest can also be an important resource for professionals sharing common experiences with others facing similar challenges.
A more important element in the future of Internet may be the support of local communities by increasing the awareness and communication of individuals and organizations within "Communities of Place". This can only happen as telecommunications become an extension of more traditional forms of communication - serving to support working relationships during the time that people are physically separated. These formats can support work between meetings, can become an archive for working materials, can be an important reference resource and can overcome some of the normal difficulties of collaborative efforts.
A "Community of Place" can be strengthened only if telecommunications systems are convenient, pervasive and made relevant to local users. Most importantly, community development requires building local content about and for the community.
A Community Wide Education and Information System (CWEIS - pronounced 'see-wis') is a model for an organized framework for collecting and accessing appropriate local information for many purposes. It is structured to reflect the resources and work of the local community. It allows access to all the elements of a community. It provides an identity and perspective for the community. It reflects the consensus and the evolving dialogue within the community about its present and future.
An effective CWEIS can not emerge without an organized effort. Otherwise the result may be a patchwork of organizations, data and services that do not represent the community. A critical level of material and use is required to create the value that motivates people to want to use and expand the resource. With the proper framework, a synergy develops that represents a new paradigm for community development.