How can you evaluate the impact of community organizing on digital literacy in rural areas?

2 Choose your methods and tools

Depending on your goals and indicators, you can use different methods and tools to evaluate the impact of your community organizing on digital literacy. You can use quantitative methods, such as surveys, tests, or statistics, to measure changes in access, skills, or outcomes. You can use qualitative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, or stories, to capture the experiences, perceptions, or attitudes of your participants and partners. You can also use mixed methods, which combine both quantitative and qualitative data, to get a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of your impact.

4 Learn and adapt

The purpose of evaluation is not only to measure the impact of your community organizing on digital literacy, but also to learn from it and to improve your practice. You should use the evaluation results to identify what works and what doesn't, what are the strengths and weaknesses of your project, and what are the opportunities and challenges for the future. You should also share your findings and recommendations with your community, partners, and funders, and to solicit their feedback and suggestions. You should use the evaluation as a tool for reflection, dialogue, and action, and to adapt your strategies and plans accordingly.

5 Use online platforms

One of the challenges of evaluating the impact of community organizing on digital literacy in rural areas is the lack of access to reliable and affordable internet. However, there are some online platforms that can help you overcome this barrier and to enhance your evaluation. For example, you can use mobile phones or tablets to collect and store data offline, and to sync them online when you have access to a network. You can also use cloud-based services or software to store, analyze, and visualize your data online, and to collaborate with your team and stakeholders. You can also use social media or websites to share your results and stories with a wider audience.

6 Follow ethical standards

Finally, you should follow ethical standards when you evaluate the impact of community organizing on digital literacy in rural areas. You should respect the rights, dignity, and privacy of your participants and partners, and to obtain their informed consent before collecting and using their data. You should also ensure the quality, validity, and reliability of your data, and to avoid any bias, manipulation, or misrepresentation. You should also acknowledge the limitations and challenges of your evaluation, and to be transparent and honest about your methods, findings, and implications.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?