ABSTRACT

Based on an evaluation of the inDigiMOB project, auspiced by First Nations Media Australia, this article examines the role of a programme designed to improve digital inclusion for people living in town camps and remote communities of central Australia. Increasingly, Australians are expected to use technology to access health, government, utility, and education services. Over the last three years, inDigiMOB has been testing a model using local “Digital Mentors” to support a transfer of essential digital skills and knowledge to community members. The evaluation identified a number of enabling mechanisms that have led to several important outcomes. These outcomes are employability skills, essential access to technology, and basic literacy, as well as maintaining language and culture, which are supported through organisational structures and relationships. The article concludes by responding to the question: Does the “place” of central Australia change how digital inclusion should be pursued as an outcome?

摘要

根据对澳大利亚第一民族传媒主持的inDigiMOB项目的评估，本文研究了旨在改善居住在澳大利亚中部城镇和偏远社区的人们的数字包容性的计划的作用。越来越多的澳大利亚人期望使用技术来获取卫生，政府，公共事业和教育服务。在过去的三年中，inDigiMOB一直在使用本地的“数字导师”测试模型，以支持向社区成员转让基本的数字技能和知识。评估确定了一些促成机制，这些促成机制带来了若干重要成果。这些成果包括就业技能，基本的技术使用权和基本识字能力以及维护语言和文化，通过组织结构和关系得到支持。本文以回答以下问题作为结尾：澳大利亚中部的“地方”是否改变了应如何追求数字包容性？