Accept that there are differences!

Digital Divide ICT and Education Developing Countries

Dr Victor van Reijswoud

Professor of ICT and eLearning Virtual University of Uganda Principal Researcher Cordaid Rwanda UCC - Uganda

Zonder vaste woon- of verblijfplaats

Outline
1.Our Challenges 2.Consequences for Information Technology
Appropriate Technology for ICT Some Examples

3.Consequences for IT Education 4.Our Lessons

Our Challenge
Information and Communication Technologies are a key input for economic development and growth. They offer opportunities for global integration while retaining the identity of the traditional societies. ICT can increase the economic and social well-being of poor people, and can empower individuals and communities. Finally ICT can enhance the effectiveness, efciency and transparency of the public sector, including the delivery of social services. (World Bank, 2002)

Our Challenge
Information and Communication Technologies are a key input for economic development and growth. They offer opportunities for global integration while retaining the identity of the traditional societies. ICT can increase the economic and social well-being of poor people, and can empower individuals and communities. Finally ICT can enhance the effectiveness, efciency and transparency of the public sector, including the delivery of social services. (World Bank, 2002)

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

Digital Divide

Some Figures
Computer Use Internet Use (per 100 people) (per 100 people)

Developing Countries Least Developed Countries Arab States East Asia and the Pacif i c Latin America and the Caribbean South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Central & Eastern Europe & CIS OECD High-income OECD
Computer and internet use in different regions (UNDP 2006) ,

2.5 0.3 2.1 3.3 5.9 0.8 1.2 5.5 36.3 43.7

2.6 0.2 1.6 4.1 4.9 0.6 0.8 4.3 33.2 40

Experience the digital divide

Browse the internet at African connection speeds: http://wireless.ictp.it/simulator/

Dream vs. Reality

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Consequences for Technology Appropriate ICT

Definition Appropriate ICT

The integrated and participatory approach that results in tools and processes for establishing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that is suitable for the cultural, environmental, organisational, economic and political conditions in which it is intended to be used. In other words: Adapt to the context!

The A-ICT Framework

3 focus areas

Hardware Software Methodologies

In the context of the system development life cycle

Definition Design Construction Installation Operation / Maintenance

The A-ICT Check list

The Appropriate ICT Framework results in a checklist with questions that guides to: 1.Selection of appropriate ICT hardware 2.Selection of appropriate ICT software 3.Appropriate methodologies for introduction and deployment of ICT

Appropriate Technology - 1
1. It should be possible to implement/ realize technological solutions with limited financial resources. 2. The use of available resources must be emphasized to reduce the costs and to guarantee the supply of resources e.g., for maintenance 3. 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 training 5. Small rural communities should be able to produce and maintain the technology

Appropriate Technology - 2
6. The technology must result into economic and/or social progress. 7. The technology must be fully understandable for the local population, the end-users resulting into possibilities for them to become involved in the possible innovation and extension of the use of the technology 8. The technological solutions must be flexible and easily to be adapted to changing circumstances. 9. The technology must contribute to the increase of productivity 10.The technology should not have a negative impact on the environment.

Appropriate ICT Examples

Appropriate Hardware

Durable Strong and dust/damp resistant Easy to maintain no special tools Easy to upgrade Parts available

One-Laptop-per-Child project - 1
To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future.

One-Laptop-per-Child project - 2
The XO is a potent learning tool designed and built especially for children in developing countries, living in some of the most remote environments. Its about the size of a small textbook. It has built-in wireless and a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who go to school outdoors. Its extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energyefficient, and fun.

Making two (ten) of one

http://www2.userful.com/ A simple and free way to transform your dual-monitor linux PC into a dual-station PC. Using just one PC you'll be able to support two independent users. All you need is a computer with two monitors connected and an extra USB keyboard and mouse. Can be extended to 10 users with paid version

Linux Terminal Server Project

The Linux Terminal Server Project adds thinclient support to Linux servers. LTSP is a flexible, cost effective solution that is empowering schools, businesses, and organizations all over the world to easily install and deploy desktop workstations. A growing number of Linux distributions include LTSP out-of-the-box.

This is also nice

(but still too expensive for most of us)

Appropriate Software

Affordable / free Easy to use Usable on older/second hand hardware Adaptable and scalable No internet activation / no massive updates Limited file sizes Allowing localization

Free and Open Source Software

Free redistribution of software Source code availability and distribution. To allow easy evolution and adaptation of programs Explicit permission to modify the software and further redistribute derived works under the same license terms.

FOSS provides low cost alternatives but yet industry strength solutions

Desktop Server

Ubuntu Light

Recommended configuration:

Pentium 2 or better 96MB of RAM or better 4GB Hard Drive or better

www.u-lite.org

No cost solution

Small and medium size organisations can automate at zero 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!

Appropriate Methodologies

Addressing limited understanding of the users User requirements driven (not vendor-driven) Need to address:

Environment Organisation Economical / financial Political CULTURE

Participative

Consequences for Education Appropriate ICT Education

Preparing Africa

ICT and Education

Primary education

Low penetration and low skills for students and teaching staff ICT is entering the classroom and has become an exam subject in some countries A growing number of university courses in ICT Training of ICT technicians Staff is often poorly trained

Secondary (High school)

Tertiary (University and Vocational)

Challenges for Universities

Staff
Knowledge development Societal awareness Curiosity

Infrastructure
Computer labs Access for all

Research
Applied Usable

Appropriate Curriculum Development

Focus on the needs of the region / country

Technological and economical Determine the 'African Way' and innovate Adapt to local conditions Teach Free and Open Low Cost technologies Graduates need to solve problems not just talk about them

Do not copy from the West

Use sustainable models and technologies

Stronger focus on skills

Changing attitudes
South

North

Develop awareness Aim local Support local initiatives Develop open partnerships Show leadership

Recognize uniqueness Develop knowledge in ICT4D area Use IT experts Train graduates

Conclusions

ICT is developing countries is often not heading in an appropriate direction Dreamers and clever business men lead the way This leads to:

Exclusion of large groups Slow ICT adoption High levels of software piracy 'White elephants'

We have to accept that developing countries have limited resources!!!

Way Forward

Government (North and South) should promote appropriate ICT solutions All large ICT projects need to be assessed by independent and well qualified ICT experts Donors need to implement appropriate ICT solutions (no financial legacy after project) Build up in-country best practices Support programs for young entrepreneurs nurturing innovation A research chair in ICT4D

More information:

Prof. Victor van Reijswoud victor@virtualuni.ac.ug

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