Abstract:
The purpose of this research were to study : (1) diffusion process of information and communication technology from school to community to bridge digital divide by accessing technology and information (2) factors related to schools diffusion process and communitys adoption process of information and communication technology. This case study was conducted in Baan Samkha school and Baan Samkha community, Meatha district, Lampang province. Qualitative method was used in this study. Questionnaires were used to obtain data on Computer and Internet ability. Empirical data were gathered through in-depth observation and interview, and document analysis. The findings summarized as the followings : 1. The process of diffusion of information and communication technology from school to community could be categorized into 5 steps based on Rogerss innovation decision process (1983): (1) knowledge stage: face to face communication and meeting were used to inform about awareness and principles of ICT (2) persuasion stage: face to face communication and meeting were used to persuade about benefits of ICT (3) decision stage: face to face communication and meeting were used to convince about benefits of applying ICT to learning projects for community, training to use ICT, and educational field trips (4) implementation stage: trials of ICT materials in projects and projects evaluation (5) confirmation stage: applying ICT to learning projects for community. 2. Related factors of schools diffusion process of ICT consists of (1) external change agents were president of Suksapattana foundation, directer of Constructionism Lab, Lampang province and supported organizations, (2) internal facilitators were a leader teacher of Baan Samkha school and youths team. Related factors of communitys adoption process of ICT were categorized as the influenced factors and the obstacle factors to adoption. The influenced factors were (1) way of community were: small size community, kinship, participation, open mind, community public opinion, and effects and supporting from visitors, (2) computer owner, (3) increasing computer and internet service places, (4) attributes of innovation were: relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, and observability, and (5) characteristics of adopter : socioeconomic and personality characteristics, and communication behavior. The obstacle factors were (1) attributes of innovation: non-relation for career, (2) characteristics of adopter: computer fearing, no English language literacy, economic characteristics, and no confidence to use ICT, (3) technical problems of satellite internet systems, (4) body ageing, (5) discontinuing use of ICT, and (6) no younger member of family to help.