What is a DCC?

 

 

Digital Community Centers (DCCs) are  places where the public can have access to the Internet. The are  located throughout the country principally in schools, libraries, health centers, post offices and government buildings.

 

The DCC network is part of the strategy of the National e-Mexico System to take advantage of information and communications technologies (ICT) for the benefit of Mexican society at large.

 

At DCCs the population in general can use computers and other technology tools, such as the Internet to be better informed and communicated with other persons and thus adopt such benefits in their daily life.

 

Services

The DCCs are for learning, to write using computers, to take courses, to communicate via the Internet with family and friends who live far away, to fined information for homework and school assignments, among other uses.

 

Basically, the four services that DCCs contribute to the communities throughout the country are:  Internet access; the use of computer equipment with different software packages, printing files and documents and training and consulting for the public at large.

 

Who goes to DCCs?

Any Mexican can go to a DCC in his or her location –or any other of his or her choice in the entire country– and receive new knowledge in order to improve his/her cultural and educational level and increase his/her personal development possibilities.

 

·         Students. Pupils of all levels and ages may make use of the equipment, as a supplement to their academic formation, to query information from all the world and take training courses.

 

·         Teachers. Teachers may benefit from the DCCs in updating their academic knowledge and by querying educational contents in order to carry out their teaching activities.

 

·         Housewives. Housewives and in general parents can learn about public services available in their community, municipality or state; as well as information about health, sports, culture and entertainment matters.

 

In addition to the foregoing, senior adults, indigenous people, farmers, merchants, business persons, public servants, professionals and tourists, among others, can benefit from the DCCs. 

 

The Promoter

A promoter or facilitator is the person in charge of supporting visitors who approach the DCC with their questions or concerns about using the Internet and computers.

 

They are people who have been trained to help people who have little or no knowledge of information technology to easily use computers, regardless of their age, educational level or social status.

 

Promoters are responsible for maintaining and administering the community centers as well as for providing training and advice to users within the hours scheduled for each DCC.

 

• Profile.  The profile that they have is that of individuals with an inclination to teaching; commitment to the development of their communities; a service and leadership attitude; capable of organizing and managing, and skill to solve problems and make decisions. They also need to be capable of providing basic technical support to the users in their centers. 

 

• Functions.  Inside the community centers, promoters supervise the proper operation of the equipment and support users in their information searches and in using computers.  Outside, they promote the DCC in their community so that the population at large can learn about the services provided and can benefit from them.

 

Where They Are

The DCC network has at least one Community Center in each municipality in Mexico.  To begin, 3200 were inaugurated throughout the Mexican Republic; in 2004 the installation of another 4000 continued, and for 2006, the projection is to have more than 10,000 CCD, so that all Mexicans can have the option of using new technologies.

 

If you do not know which is the DCC closest to your home, the   e-México Portal has an  interactive map at your disposal to help you locate the community centers located in your state and municipality, so that you can visit one as soon as possible and take advantage of its services. 

 

Remember that computers at the DCCs are at the service of anyone and if you do not know how to use them you will have help to learn how to use them for your own and your family’s benefit  If all Mexicans adopt technology in our daily lives, we will be better prepared to face the challenges of the future.