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    Rural Society

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
The Pennsylvania State University
7 Armsby Building, University Park PA 16802-5602
814/863-4656(phone); 814/863-0586(fax)
Please send questions and comments to:
nercrd@psu.edu

Connecting Rural Communities:
Cooperative Extension as a Catalyst
Sheraton Society Hill
Philadelphia, PA
June 6-7, 2006

Resources

An Evaluative Study of the United States Cooperative Extension Service's Role in Bridging the Digital Divide - Chanda D. Elbert and Antoine J. Alston

Abstract – Raising the level of digital inclusion by increasing the number of Americans using the technology tools of the digital age is a vitally important national goal" (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2000). The study reported here focused on Extension administrators throughout the United States to gauge their opinion concerning the role of Extension in bridging the digital divide. It was found that a perceived digital divide existed. Extension administrators expressed that Extension was an adequate mechanism to combat this societal dilemma. Recommendations included establishing strategic partnerships with local community groups to provide technology access and training for residents.
Journal of Extension October 2005 http://www.joe.org/joe/2005october/rb1.shtml

RUPRI Rural Telecommunications Panel 

The Rural Policy Research Institute's Rural Telecommunications Panel conducts and synthesizes research on federal and state telecommunications policy and the effect of that policy on infrastructural development and rural access.
http://www.rupri.org/telecomm/


DESIGN NINE - Design Nine is a Virginia corporation, and was founded in 1989 by Andrew Cohill to provide technology advice and services to business, nonprofit, and public clients. Over the years, the company has grown steadily and now offers a comprehensive array of technology advisory services, telecommunications project management, and design assistance. There are a number of excellent materials in the site’s resources section.
http://designnine.com/library/

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The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development is located at the Pennsylvania State University and collaborates with land grant institutions in the northeast U.S.