Las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC)Un nuevo escenario para el desarrollo local de las comunidades. Estudio de caso: Comunidad Ómnia-Barrio el Raval, Barcelona

Résumé

This research paper studies the pedagogical and communicational strategies used today to reduce the digital gap (in technology and knowledge) between those who use the new information and communication technologies (ICT) and those with no access to them or who do not know how to use them. The study describes, explores, analyzes and interprets the way in which ICT are being implemented and used among the local communities that are at high risk of social and technological exclusion. In order to achieve its objectives, the study was carried out under real-life conditions among the Ómnia Community of the Raval neighbourhood, in Barcelona, Spain, and specifically in its Telecentre or socio-media lounge. We undertook the study by first designing a series of categories and indicator that would allow us to measure, interpret and analyze the use and impact of these technologies on the communitys cultural development. Our intention was that the methodology we designed might be applied in other communities having similar characteristics to the one under study. The study crosscuts two areas, social and community development, on the one hand, and the use and impact of new ICT in social pedagogy, on the other hand. In this sense, the main purpose of our study was to carry out a descriptive and in-depth diagnosis of the changes and new virtual and real scenarios emerging in the so-called Information Society, and the way in which local communities are implementing these technologies in order to maximise their cultural and community development.