我要找关于计算机软件技术的英文文章，再翻译成中文要3000字左右，内容完整些

Outreach and Extension programs increasingly are using computer technologies to deliver services and resources to the public. Examples include videoconferences (Pankow, Porter, & Schuchardt, 2006), Webcasts (LGEAN 2004), electronic newsletters (Westa, Broderick, & Tyson, 2005), online communities (Kallioranta, Vlosky, & Leavengood, 2006; Schlager & Fusco, 2004), youth education programs (Mutchler, Anderson, Taylor, Hamilton, & Mangle, 2006), and curriculum and training materials on Web sites and CDs (Dunn, Thomas, Green, & Mick, 2006; Mayfield, Wingenbach, & Chalmers, 2006; Penuel, Bienkowski, Korbak, 2005; Zimmer, Shriner, & Scheer, 2006).
When working in low-income urban and other under-resourced communities, Extension staff need to ensure that audiences are able to access the various digital tools. The ability to use computer technologies is often viewed through the lens of the "digital divide," or the gap between those people and communities that can effectively use information and communication technologies and those that cannot (Norris & Conceicao, 2004; Shelley & Thrane, 2004; Warschauer, 2003).
Originally, the digital divide referred to the lack of access to computer technologies and Internet connectivity (Mitchell, 2003; Mossberger & Caroline, 2003). Even recently, studies that address the digital divide in communities served by Extension are based on the premise that the digital divide refers to access (Elbert & Alston, 2005). However, Cullen (2001) argued that this is a more complex issue, and identified four factors that may influence the digital divide:
* Physical access to computer technologies. Organizations may not have computers, other digital devices, software, and Internet connectivity.
* Computer skills and support. Individuals who have computers and other digital tools may not use them because of lack of skills.
* Attitudes and awareness. People may have and use computers but not deploy them to their full potential because they fail to see how sophisticated computer technologies can contribute to their professional development or provide other services.

* Content. People may not use the Internet and other computer technologies because the content of digital materials is not interesting or relevant.
Although access to computer technologies has been described in the literature (Elbert & Alston, 2005), little is known about other factors that are influencing the use of computers in community settings served by Extension. In this article, we explore the four digital divide factors in urban low-income communities and investigate how community educators are using digital materials in their after-school and other non-formal youth education programs.
The computer science program was established in 1983, and in 1995 the Department of Computer Science was formed from the former Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The master’s program in computer science began in 1997 and the information technology program began in 2001. In 2009 there are about 60 students and some 20 degrees will be awarded. The department's web site, www.cs.panam.edu, provides more information, detailed descriptions of faculty research programs, etc. The primary contact for questions and information related specifically to the graduate programs is the Director of Graduate Programs. More general information is available from the Department Chair.

Department Computing facilities available to graduate students include the Advanced Studies Laboratory (open to all graduate students) and smaller laboratories focused on research. All graduate students receive departmental accounts for access to computing facilities, email, and storage upon entry to the program and for one year after graduation. Other computing facilities are available to all university students in the adjacent Academinc Services Building and include over 500 PC's and a laboratory of Sun workstations.
The Master of Science programs provides a broad foundation in computer science and in depth studies in several area. A core of computer science or information technology lecture courses is required. Further courses are selected from the 22 additional computer science and information technology courses and graduate courses in other departments. Detailed information about degree requirements for the MS in Computer Science is available here, and for the Master's of Science in Information Technology, here. The program is designed to prepare students for positions in industry and education, enhance skills for the practicing professional, and supply a foundation for study at the doctoral level.

Currently, there are about 60 students actively pursuing master’s degrees. About one-half are fulltime students, with most of those employed on campus in the Computer Science Department as Teaching and Research Assistants or in other technical position at UTPA. Most students work full time, and graduate classes are offered in the evening, Monday through Thursday.
Course Scheduling and Timelines for Completing the Master’s Degrees. Required graduate courses are offered once each year in the Fall or Spring semester. Elective courses are typically offered once every two years. Other courses, such as Master's Thesis, Master's Project, and Independent Research and Study, are offered each semester. Schedules for future semesters are available here. Registration in any thesis, project, or research course requires consent of the instructor prior to registration. Information about room assignment is available through the online university ASSIST system.
For students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree in computer science who are able to enroll fulltime (9 hours for graduate students) the expected time to complete the required 36 hours is two years. Relatively few courses are offered in the summer.
Students pursuing the MS in Computer science who enter the program with bachelor’s degrees in other areas typically need to complete graduate level foundation courses (e.g., CSCI 6300 and CSCI 6301) in preparation for advanced coursework in computer science. Undergraduate courses may also be necessary. After acceptance, the student is to meet with the Graduate Director to ensure completion of a sequence of courses providing the foundations for advanced study in computer science. Meeting with the Graduate Director is also important for students entering the program with degrees granted outside the US, as the university depends on an outside firm to evaluate transcripts, and acceptance to the university does not necessarily mean that the student has completed the courses necessary for enrollment in the Department's advanced computer science courses. The Department's foundation courses are prerequisites for most of the required and elective courses which must be completed for the degree. It may not be possible to complete the degree as quickly when foundation courses are necessary, as when they are not necessary, due to prerequisite requirements. When foundation courses are necessary, the exact length of time will depend on the students background in computer science, specific offerings of courses, etc. The program Graduate Director or student’s advisor can address individual cases. 4.2.1.1 Example Timeline: Student with Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Thesis Option
Students are encouraged to complete the three required lecture courses (Theoretical Foundations: 6339, Computer Architecture: 6335, and Design and Analysis of Algorithms, 6323) in the first year. The seminar, 6174: Open Problems in Computer Science must be completed in the first year. Students also complete five elective and two additional seminar courses. All students complete a thesis or project working closely with faculty. The thesis option requires a semester of individualized study prior to enrollment in two semester's of thesis courses. The thesis option is available to all students, though students who complete two foundations courses (see next example) may need to complete more than the minimum 36 hours in order to pursue the three semester thesis course sequence. The sample timeline below details a sequence of required courses, elective courses, pre-thesis study, and thesis work. Note that pre-thesis study begins in the second semester of the first year.