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Accept that there are differences!
Digital DivideICT and Education
Developing Countries
Dr Victor van Reijswoud
Zonder vaste woon- of verblijfplaats
Professor of ICT and eLearning
Virtual University of Uganda
Principal Researcher
Cordaid RwandaUCC - Uganda
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Outline
1.Our Challenges
2.Consequences for Information Technology
Appropriate Technology for ICT
Some Examples
3.Consequences for IT Education
4.Our Lessons
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Our Challenge
Information and Communication Technologiesare a key input for economic development and
growth. They offer opportunities for globalintegration while retaining the identity of the
traditional societies. ICT can increase theeconomic and social well-being of poor people,and can empower individuals and communities.
Finally ICT can enhance the effectiveness,
efficiency and transparency of the public sector,including the delivery of social services.
(World Bank, 2002)
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Our Challenge
Information and Communication Technologiesare a key input for economic development and
growth. They offer opportunities for globalintegration while retaining the identity of the
traditional societies. ICT can increase theeconomic and social well-being of poor people,and can empower individuals and communities.
Finally ICT can enhance the effectiveness,
efficiency and transparency of the public sector,including the delivery of social services.
(World Bank, 2002)
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Our moral responsibility
Connect to the rest of the world
Provide affordable access to ICT for all
Build an ICT infrastructure with limited funds Keep recurrent costs as low as possible
Have local ICT capacity available
Support local culture
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Digital Divide
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Some Figures
Computer Use
(per 100 people)
Internet Use
(per 100 people)
Developing Countries 2.5 2.6
Least Developed Countries 0.3 0.2
Arab States 2.1 1.6
East Asia and the Pacif ic 3.3 4.1
Latin America and the Caribbean 5.9 4.9
South Asia 0.8 0.6
Sub-Saharan Africa 1.2 0.8
Central & Eastern Europe & CIS 5.5 4.3
OECD 36.3 33.2
High-income OECD 43.7 40Computer and internet use in different regions (UNDP, 2006)
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Experience the digital divide
Browse the internet at African connectionspeeds: http://wireless.ictp.it/simulator/
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Dreamvs.
Reality
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'
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Consequences for Technology
Appropriate ICT
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Definition Appropriate ICT
The integrated and participatory approach thatresults in tools andprocesses for establishing
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)that is suitable for the cultural, environmental,
organisational, economic andpolitical conditionsin which it is intended to be used.
In other words:
Adapt to the context!
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The A-ICT Framework
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3 focus areas
Hardware
Software
Methodologies
In the context of the system development life cycle Definition
Design
Construction
Installation
Operation / Maintenance
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The A-ICT Check list
The Appropriate ICT Framework results in a check-list with questions that guides to:
1.Selection of appropriate ICT hardware2.Selection of appropriate ICT software
3.Appropriate methodologies for introductionand deployment of ICT
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Appropriate Technology - 1
1.It should be possible to implement/ realize technologicalsolutions with limited financial resources.
2.The use of available resources must be emphasized toreduce the costs and to guarantee the supply of
resources e.g., for maintenance3.Technologies may be relatively labor-intensive, but must
have a higher output than the traditional technologies.
4.The technology must be understandable for people
without specific or academic training5.Small rural communities should be able to produce and
maintain the technology
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Appropriate Technology - 2
6.The technology must result into economic and/or socialprogress.
7.The technology must be fully understandable for thelocal population, the end-users resulting into
possibilities for them to become involved in the possibleinnovation and extension of the use of the technology
8.The technological solutions must be flexible and easilyto be adapted to changing circumstances.
9.The technology must contribute to the increase ofproductivity
10.The technology should not have a negative impact onthe environment.
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Appropriate ICT
Examples
Appropriate
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AppropriateHardware
Durable
Strong and dust/damp resistant Easy to maintain no special tools
Easy to upgrade
Parts available
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One-Laptop-per-Child project - 1
To create educational opportunities for the world'spoorest children by providing each child with arugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptopwith content and software designed for
collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning.When children have access to this type of toolthey get engaged in their own education. Theylearn, share, create, and collaborate. They
become connected to each other, to the world andto a brighter future.
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One-Laptop-per-Child project - 2
The XO is a potent learning tooldesigned and built especially forchildren in developing countries,living in some of the most remote
environments. Its about the sizeof a small textbook. It has built-inwireless and a unique screen thatis readable under direct sunlight
for children who go to schooloutdoors. Its extremely durable,brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, and fun.
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Making two (ten) of one
http://www2.userful.com/
A simple and free way to transformyour dual-monitor linux PC into adual-station PC.
Using just one PC you'll be able tosupport two independent users. Allyou need is a computer with twomonitors connected and an extraUSB keyboard and mouse.
Can be extended to 10 users withpaid version
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Linux Terminal Server Project
The Linux Terminal Server Project adds thin-client support to Linux servers. LTSP is aflexible, cost effective solution that isempowering schools, businesses, and
organizations all over the world to easily installand deploy desktop workstations.
A growing number of Linux distributions includeLTSP out-of-the-box.
Thi i l i
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This is also nice(but still too expensive for most of us)
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Appropriate Software
Affordable / freeEasy to use
Usable on older/second hand hardware
Adaptable and scalableNo internet activation / no massive updates
Limited file sizes
Allowing localization
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Free and Open Source Software
Free redistribution of software
Source code availability and distribution. To alloweasy evolution and adaptation of programs
Explicit permission to modify the software andfurther redistribute derived works under the samelicense terms.
FOSS provides low cost alternatives but yetindustry strength solutions
Desktop
Server
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Ubuntu Light
Recommendedconfiguration:
Pentium 2 orbetter
96MB of RAM orbetter
4GB Hard Driveor better
www.u-lite.org
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No cost solution
Small and medium size organisations canautomate atzero software cost:
IP cop gateway
SME server as file server
Ubuntu / Open Office on the desktop
ClamAV virus protect (for the win machines)
Email / website through google apps
Databases with Base. MySQL Etc
When we only had the right advisers!
i h d l i
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Appropriate Methodologies
Addressing limited understanding of the users User requirements driven (not vendor-driven)
Need to address:
Environment Organisation
Economical / financial
Political
CULTURE
Participative
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Consequences for Education
Appropriate ICT Education
P i Af i
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Preparing Africa
ICT d Ed ti
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ICT and Education
Primary education Low penetration and low skills for students and
teaching staff
Secondary (High school)
ICT is entering the classroom and has become anexam subject in some countries
Tertiary (University and Vocational)
A growing number of university courses in ICT Training of ICT technicians
Staff is often poorly trained
Ch ll f U i iti
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Challenges for Universities
Staff
Knowledge development
Societal awareness
Curiosity
Infrastructure
Computer labs
Access for allResearch
Applied
Usable
Appropriate Curriculum
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pp pDevelopment
Focus on the needs of the region / country Technological and economical
Do not copy from the West
Determine the 'African Way' and innovate Adapt to local conditions
Use sustainable models and technologies
Teach Free and Open
Low Cost technologies
Stronger focus on skills
Graduates need to solve problems not just talk aboutthem
Changing attitudes
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Changing attitudes
South Develop awareness
Aim local
Support localinitiatives
Develop openpartnerships
Show leadership
North Recognize
uniqueness
Develop knowledgein ICT4D area
Use IT experts
Train graduates
Conclusions
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Conclusions
ICT is developing countries is often notheading in an appropriate direction
Dreamers and clever business men leadthe way
This leads to:
Exclusion of large groups
Slow ICT adoption
High levels of software piracy 'White elephants'
We have to accept that developingcountries have limited resources!!!
Way Forward
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Way Forward
Government (North and South) should promoteappropriate ICT solutions
All large ICT projects need to be assessed byindependent and well qualified ICT experts
Donors need to implement appropriate ICTsolutions (no financial legacy after project)
Build up in-country best practices
Support programs for young entrepreneurs nur-turing innovation
A research chair in ICT4D
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10Q10QMore information:Prof. Victor van Reijswoud