Objective of the Evaluation

In response to the interest shown by a group of faculty and staff members associated with ESLARP (the clients), this study was undertaken in 1997 to evaluate the specific component of information technology (IT) in the project.

Information technology in ESLARP was characterized by two initiatives:

i) the ESLARP website developed in 1994 primarily for the use of the UIUC research community involved with ESLARP, and expanded in 1996 with the launching of the East St. Louis Geographic Information Retrieval System (EGRETS) to address the ESL community directly, and

ii) the introduction of three computer and Internet access points in and for the ESL community: the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center (NTAC), the East St. Louis- Community Action Network (ESL-CAN), and Youthlink at the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

The evaluation sought to explore the following questions put forth by the clients:
  • To what extent are East St. Louis resident leaders taking advantage of the materials being made available on the ESLARP web site? Of what real value is the information to the citizens?
  • What is the audience to which the ESLARP web site caters to and how can it cater to a wider audience?
  • What are some of the barriers to use that although have not been intended, have been overlooked?
  • To what extent are we enhancing the ability of the city's expanding network of community-based organizations/non-governmental organizations to use advanced computer technologies to pursue their community development goals?
  • How can the Internet be used to serve delivery and collection of data about East St. Louis?

Derived from these concerns, the objective of the evaluation was to assess the usability and accessibility of the two IT initiatives, in relation to the ESL community.

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