ICT4D and ICT4D for NOVI 7 March 2012

7/29/2019 ICT4D and ICT4D for NOVI 7 March 2012

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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

[email protected]

ICT4D and ICT4D for NOVI 7 March 2012

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