Computers in Homes (CIH): Enabling Community Access to Internet and ICT?

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact on participants and members of their households of access to a free computer and internet at home. Graduates of the Computers in Homes (CiH) programme in Porirua were used for this study. This programme is a Digital Literacy initiative that operates in conjunction with the National Computers in Homes project in New Zealand. This research followed a qualitative approach using an interpretive analysis of semi structured interviews based on a conversational style [1]. The sampling method was one of purposeful selection using an opportunist sample [2]. The study participants were drawn from the graduates who successfully completed the CiH programme in Porirua from October 2007 to April 2011. Findings from the study have shown that the active internet users from the programme shared features of confidence, sociability, and showed enthusiasm for internet-use as an additional tool to further enhance the life of the household. Learning beyond the CiH graduation was a common theme for these participants and the support they received from family and friends after graduation was a significant factor in improving their digital literacy. Based on the data gathered in this study, there is evidence that internet-use was extending some users social networks in general as well as helping them to be more established in their community.