Drexel Freedom Rings Partnership
Philadelphia Housing Authority BTOP Training Survey Report
September 2013
Background
“KEYSPOTS: Powered by Freedom Rings Partnership” (FRP) is a collaboration of grassroots,
government and non-profit organizations with the mission to increase broadband technology access
among Philadelphia residents. Drexel’s College of Engineering co-leads the project along with the City
of Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation and Technology and the Urban Affairs Coalition through a grant
from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP). Through the partnership, 80 KEYSPOTs, or public computer centers
have been established citywide. Drexel’s deliverables included: 1) raising awareness about the need for
broadband adoption as well as promoting free basic computer training and internet access at
KEYSPOTs; 2) creating and managing the KEYSPOT: portal www.PhillyKEYSPOTS.org; and 3)
training and distributing netbooks to 5,000 public housing authority residents.
Motivation and Objectives
Today, basic computer and Internet access is about more than just social interaction; it provides a
necessary bridge to economic and educational empowerment and success. Based on a Knight
Foundation Report and US Census data, approximately 41 percent of Philadelphians lack computer and
Internet access. While KEYSPOTS are available to all Philadelphians, special emphasis is on reaching
society’s most vulnerable and needy citizens, including the unemployed and underemployed,
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) residents, at-risk youth, senior citizens, veterans, people
recovering from addiction, people with HIV or AIDS, and people re-entering society (recently
incarcerated and/or homeless). KEYSPOTS aims to create a well-trained and digitally aware citizenry
through improved access to:
• job opportunities and workforce development
• information on government and social services
• information on healthcare and health-related issues
• youth and adult education, including basic skills and computer literacy
• online news, e-mail, and social media
Survey for PHA Residents Who Graduated from FRP BTOP Training
Drexel’s deliverable was to train 5,000 public housing authority residents in basic computer training and
distribution of 5,000 netbooks. Drexel exceeded this goal, training 5,048 residents and distributing 5,044
netbooks. Upon completion of eight hours of digital literacy training, these residents earned a free
netbook computer and certificate of completion. Drexel contracted the Community College of
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Philadelphia (CCP) to conduct the basic computer training for the 5,000 PHA residents. Trainings were
held on two (2) consecutive days for four hours per training at four sites around the city from May 2011
to May 2013. Sites were selected in order to be easily accessible for residents: 1) CCP Center for
Business and Industry, 18th and Callowhill Streets; 2) CCP Northwest Regional Center, Broad and
Godfrey Streets; 3) CCP West Philadelphia Campus, 48th and Chestnut Streets; and 4) KEYSPOT Site:
Audenried High School, 33rd & Morris Streets.
In an effort to capture the impact of these trainings
on the PHA residents, Drexel conducted an
anonymous survey to collect information, on how
residents are using their training and netbook to
benefit their lives. This data could inform future
programs as well as to provide background data for
grant applications.
Only PHA residents who
completed eight hours of required basic computer
training, and who had received a free netbook, were
eligible for the survey. Residents had to be 18 or
older to participate in the program. The anonymous
survey was conducted via postal mail throughout the
month of June 2013.
PHA BTOP Survey Results
The Number of PHA Residents who:
5,048 =
Completed 8-hour training; (All were mailed this survey.)
5,044 =
Received free netbooks after training
550
=
Completed survey
11%
=
Response rate
84%
=
Signed up for Internet post BTOP Training
34%
=
Purchased a computer post BTOP Training
52%
=
Used netbook to job search
17%
=
Obtained employment
28%
=
Furthered education post BTOP Training
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Survey Questions and Answers
Below are questions from the survey with answers compiled in charts or bullet format, where
appropriate. Some answers requested written responses, also recorded below.
1. Before taking the basic computer course, how would you rate your own digital literacy?
#
Answer
Bar
Responses
%
1
Beginner
269
49.63%
2
Intermediate
179
33.03%
3
Advanced
89
16.42%
4
Expert
5
0.92%
2. After taking the basic computer course, how would you rate your digital literacy?
#
Answer
1
Beginner
2
Bar
Responses
%
92
16.97%
Intermediate
186
34.32%
3
Advanced
234
43.17%
4
Expert
30
5.54%
3. What do you still use from the BTOP trainings?
#
Answer
Bar
Responses
%
1
Word
273
52.70%
2
Email
393
75.87%
3
Internet
469
90.54%
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4. How do you use what you learned from the BTOP trainings on your netbook?














Education
Email
Gaming
Helping others
Internet Searching
Job Search
Online Certification
Pay Bills
Reading
Shopping
Social Networking
Still Learning
MS Word
Work
5. What new tech equipment have you acquired post BTOP training?
#
Answer
Bar
Responses
%
1
Smart Phone
90
49.18%
2
Computer
63
34.43%
3
Tablet
38
20.77%
4
E-Reader
13
7.10%
Other
5
30
16.39%
INTERNET
6. What Internet provider did you select?
Offering internet service options to the 5,000 PHA residents participating in the BTOP Training
program presented a challenge as the majority of PHA developments were inaccessible to most current
internet providers (Comcast, Verizon, etc.) due to infrastructure limitations. Additionally, many
residents did not qualify for Comcast Internet Essentials, which is limited to participants with schoolaged youth in Title 1 schools. To address the need for service, Drexel FRP and the Urban Affairs
Coalition (UAC) teamed up with Mobile Citizen, a non-profit arm of CLEAR, to provide subsidized
service, which included a free modem, $30 installation fee and $14.95/month service fee. Wilco
Electronics, Inc., the main cable provider for PHA developments, have been contracted to administer the
program citywide, for all KEYSPOT participants, not just PHA residents. As of July 2013, 1,500
Philadelphia residents have taken advantage of the program.

84% of Respondents indicated signing up for Internet post BTOP training.
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#
Answer
1
Wilco/Mobile Citizen
2
Bar
Responses
%
116
38.41%
Comcast
55
18.21%
3
Verizon
76
25.17%
4
Other
75
24.83%
EMPLOYMENT
7. Did you use your netbook to search for jobs online?
 52% of Respondents indicated use of netbook for job search.
 17% of Respondents indicated they obtained employment as a result.
Positions and Employers where multiple residents received employment are indicated.
Positions Acquired Reported
 Call center representative
 CNA/ Home Health Aide
 Day Care Assistant
 Educator
 Front desk associate (2)
 Housekeeper
 Janitor
 Liquor store clerk
 Medical Assistant (2)
 Nurse
 Peer Specialist
 Personal Human Services
 Phlebotomist
 Receiving Associate
 Research Assistant
 Room Attendant
 School Crossing Guard
 Security Officer
 Self employed
 Spec. Ed Classroom Assistant
 Survey Taker
 Therapeutic Support Staff
Employers Reported
 American Tutor and Achievement Matters
 BAYADA Home Health Care (2)
 Brown's Super Stores/ Shoprite
 Catch INC
 Department of Labor and Industry
 Dollar Tree
 First Choice Home Care
 Holiday Express Hotel
 Marriott
 McDonalds
 People Share
 Philadelphia School District
 PHMC AHS with the Dept of Public Health
 Pinnacle
 RGIS
 Sun Rise Living
 Sugar House Casino
 Temple Hospital
 The Salvation Army
 Vintage Twist Beauty Boutique
 Walmart (2)
 Women Against Abuse Shelter
 Youth Works PHA
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EDUCATION
8. Did you use your netbook to further your education?
 29% of Respondents indicated use of netbook to further education.
Schools where multiple residents attended are indicated.
Schools Reported
 Art Institute of Philadelphia (2)
 Ashworth College Online
 Berlin School
 Community College of Philadelphia (12)*
 Center for Urban Theological Studies
 Chestnut Hill College
 Empire Beauty School
 G.E.D Classes
 Harcum College
 High School
 Honickman Learning Center
 Hospitality Training Institute
 ITT Tech
 Jameson School of Ministry
 Kaplan University
 Kensington High Adult Program
 Metropolitan Career Center (2)
 Non Profit Technology Resources
 Northeastern University
 OIC
 Orleans Tech
 Parents University
 Philadelphia Tech Training School








Philadelphia University (2)
Prism Career Medical Training
Senior Center Computer Class
South University
Star Career Academy
Strayer (2)
Temple (5)
University of Phoenix
Area of Study Reported
 Business Management
 Communication Studies
 Computer Networking Systems
 Computer Technician
 Culinary Arts
 Culture, Science, Technology
 Digital Photography
 Early Childhood Care
 Health and Human Services
 Housekeeping Management
 Medical Assistant Training
 Medical Billing and Coding
 Psychology
 Welding
*Additional Information on Drexel FRP BTOP Training Educational Outcomes
Post training, Community College of Philadelphia provided the following information on PHA BTOP
graduates.
Out of 5,048 Philadelphia Housing Authority BTOP Graduates:
• 150 PHA BTOP graduates registered for credit classes at CCP after completing the free BTOP
training.
• 94 of the 150 students earned 1,044 credit hours total.
• 56 of the 150 students registered for developmental courses, remedial English 098, 099 and Math
016, 017, required for CCP placement.
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CCP Program Administrator Bryan Burns commented: “While the developmental courses are college
courses, they do not accrue credit hours, thus they are not included in the 1,044 credit hours. About
70% of students who take CCP's placement test require some manner of developmental education.
Indeed, given that many of our students had not been in a classroom in some time, I think this is an even
more significant figure. These 56 BTOP graduates represent exactly how students exposed to education
and the internet through our training workshop use that knowledge to move themselves into higher
education.”
Survey Comments:
“I love my netbook! Since receiving it, my world has expanded in ways I have never known. There is no
place I cannot go; there is nothing I cannot do; there are never questions without answers, always.
Finding solutions to pretty much any problem or concern I may have. I can do research and
communicate via Email. Gee! My world is awesome, thank you so very much for making my world a
better place.”
“I did not get a job yet but I have filled out applications online and have had interviews, which I would
have not been able to do otherwise. I was so glad to receive a netbook and it helped with things I needed
to find online and with my son's school assignments. My kids love the educational activities on the
internet and I am not limited.”
“The Netbook helped me and my children out a lot. My daughter that is 8 years old had problems
reading. Then I went on ABC mouse and her reading approved a lot.”
“While attending the classes, I saw such a glow in everyone attending. It was refreshing for me to have
something to do while I age in place. The program gave me motivation to get "busy." Started a photo
business with financial assistance and am proud entrepreneur!”
“I am a single mother of four and could not afford a computer for our house but by taking the basic
computer course not only did I receive a netbook to help our family, I also learned things to help me get
ahead in my career. I encourage you to continue reaching out and helping people who can’t always help
themselves.”
“I am a single parent of twin sons that attend Drexel University. One of my sons is a computer science
major and uses his laptop for school. A week after I picked up my netbook his laptop crashed with his
work on it. I could not afford to purchase another so we took his laptop and my netbook to a computer
expert who was able to transfer work from the crashed laptop to the netbook. All his work was saved.”
“I was able to help my parents with basic computer help. My mother now has her own computer.”
“I gave the netbook to my 8-year-old daughter and showed her the skills I learned. Now she is using
those skills.”
“The netbook helped me feel more confident before starting my new job because I was able to use it to
practice my skills I needed for work. I work in the mental health field with new touch screen
computers.”
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“Due to taking the basic computer
course, I was able to become a
Broadband Ambassador for PHA. The
extra hours of computer training
allowed me to help many PHA
residents at the Wilson Park Senior
Building to use a mouse, keyboard, and
connect to the internet.”
“It has allowed me to prepare a
program for women who struggled with
drug addiction, molestation, domestic
abuse, or struggled with anger, fear,
low self-esteem or confidence, and
many other areas.”
“Help granddaughter with research papers and school projects.”
“The basic computer course helped me with attending college and looking up my assignments on online
blackboard.”
“I was able to teach what I learned to my children and grandson (who has Down syndrome). Thank
you!!”
“Before the program, I knew very little about computers. Now, I can pay bills online, shop online, and I
found a few friends on Facebook. It's a blessing for me and my grandson.”
Drexel University
College of Engineering
Freedom Rings Partnership Project Team
Dr. Kapil Dandekar, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, PI
Dr. Youngmoo Kim, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Co-PI
Joanne Ferroni, Director of University and Community Partnerships, Co-PI
Holly Burnside, Director of Research Development, College of Engineering
Maria Walker, Project Manager
Andrew Stutzman, Sr. Web Architect
Steven Feldman, Community Educator Coordinator
Kara Lindstrom, Project Coordinator
Marlon Millner, Public Awareness Manager
Chelsea Morgan, Community Educator Co-op
www.PhillyKEYSPOT.org
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