Meet Smallbean

Smallbean builds solar-powered technology labs using donated and refurbished electronics. Once a lab is constructed, participants in the Citizen Archivist Project learn computer and technology skills while documenting community life in diverse locations around the world. 

What is the Citizen Archivist Project?

The Citizen Archivist Project (CAP) provides communities in diverse locations with technological infrastructure and computer skills integral for job creation and economic growth. Except, Smallbean doesn't just stand in front of a classroom and lecture on boring terms like "double click" and "double space." Instead, participants learn these technology and computer skills while documenting life in their communities. Here's an example of how it works:

First, we teach participants in the Citizen Archivist Project how to operate a camera and a digital voice recorder. Participants hone their skills by taking pictures, videos and conducting oral history interviews in their communities. Like this:

Back in the solar-powered technology lab, participants learn computer skills as they upload their photos, movies, and audio interviews to the computers.

Throughout the Citizen Archivist Project course, participants (most of whom have no previous exposure to computers) learn the basics of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Internet browsing and email. They also learn more specialized programs such as Picasa (used for processing the photos and movies), iTunes (used for processing audio interviews), and Mavis Beacon Typing tutor.

And finally, but certainly not least, Citizen Archivist Project participants learn about solar power. The technology labs built by Smallbean are powered exclusively by solar power and the participants in the CAP are responsible for maintaining the solar suitcase charging system installed in their school or community center.

The Digital Archive

Parallel to our efforts in classrooms around the world, Smallbean is creating an Internet accessible Digital Archive that will serve as an electronic storehouse for the media collected by the Citizen Archivist Project. We're currently working with MassArt, the Boston Public Library and a wonderful team of Smallbean volunteers to get the Digital Archive up and running.

Our goal is make the Digital Archive accessible and easy to use in the near term, but also ensure that we are creating a secure repository of cultural knowledge for future generations. It is expected that the Digital Archive will be utilized by a diverse set of potential users, including: teachers and students in the classroom setting, cultural institutions and libraries, and academic researchers from both present and future generations.

Smallbean expects to launch the Digital Archive in April, 2010. For now, check out the rest of the Smallbean website for fabulous photographs, audio samples, and movies of the Citizen Archivist Project in action. 

Where is the Citizen Archivist Project Currently Active?

Smallbean traveled to Kwala, Tanzania in February, 2010 and conducted our Citizen Archivist Project pilot at the Kwala Secondary School. Smallbean continues to be active in Kwala via the efforts of our on-site Project Archivist, volunteers from with our on-site partner organization, Newton Tanzania Collaborative, and all of the wonderful students that we trained during the Citizen Archivist Project course.

In conjunction with Citizen Schools, Smallbean is operating a second Citizen Archivist Project pilot at the Edison Middle School in Brighton, MA.

What's next for Smallbean and the Citizen Archivist Project?

Smallbean is planning future CAP initiatives around the world. For additional details please contact Smallbean directly or check back soon on our website.