Using technology to develop inter-organizational connections

One of the main strands of my research examines how schools and community-based organizations work together (and toward mutually agreed upon ends) in sustainable ways. A common challenge to this collaborative work is communication. Issues of time, organizational culture, and organizational capacity often inhibit collaborative work that efficiently draws from diverse organizational assets. In that these and other factors make it difficult for key actors from school and community entities to work together “in time and space,” there is room for further exploration into how technology can help overcome institutional divides. From simple initiatives to develop shared social networking spaces (like Facebook), to more advanced programs that allow partners to communicate in efficient manners, there are a wealth of possibilities for bringing groups together in effective, efficient ways.
I look forward to examining such efforts in some of my future work – including the study of Promise Neighborhoods and homeless education initiatives.