Presentation on appropriate ICT, ICT4D and ICT4E.

1. Accept that there are differences!
Digital Divide
ICT and Education
Developing Countries
Dr Victor van Reijswoud
Professor of ICT and eLearning Principal Researcher
Virtual University of Uganda Cordaid – Rwanda
UCC - Uganda
Zonder vaste woon- of verblijfplaats

2. Outline
1.Our Challenges
2.Consequences for Information Technology
Appropriate Technology for ICT
Some Examples
3.Consequences for IT Education
4.Our Lessons

3. 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,
efficiency and transparency of the public sector,
including the delivery of social services.”
(World Bank, 2002)

4. 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,
efficiency and transparency of the public sector,
including the delivery of social services.”
(World Bank, 2002)

5. 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

6. Digital Divide

9. Some Figures
Computer Use Internet Use
(per 100 people) (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 i
c 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 40
Computer and internet use in different regions (UNDP 2006)
,

10. Experience the digital divide
● Browse the internet at African connection
speeds: http://wireless.ictp.it/simulator/
●

11. Dream
vs.
Reality

15. '

19. Consequences for Technology
Appropriate ICT

20. 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!

21. The A-ICT Framework

22. 3 focus areas
● Hardware
● Software
● Methodologies
In the context of the system development life cycle
● Definition
● Design
● Construction
● Installation
● Operation / Maintenance

23. The A-ICT Check list
The Appropriate ICT Framework results in a check-
list 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. Appropriate ICT
Examples

27. Appropriate
Hardware
● Durable
● Strong and dust/damp resistant
● Easy to maintain – no special tools
● Easy to upgrade
● Parts available

28. 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.

29. 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. It’s 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. It’s extremely durable,
brilliantly functional, energy-
efficient, and fun.

30. 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

31. Linux Terminal Server Project
● The Linux Terminal Server Project adds thin-
client 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.

32. This is also nice
(but still too expensive for most of us)

34. 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

35. 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

38. Ubuntu Light
● Recommended
configuration:
● Pentium 2 or
better
● 96MB of RAM or
better
● 4GB Hard Drive
or better
● www.u-lite.org

39. 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!

40. Appropriate Methodologies
● Addressing limited understanding of the users
● User requirements driven (not vendor-driven)
● Need to address:
● Environment
● Organisation
● Economical / financial
● Political
● CULTURE
● Participative

41. Consequences for Education
Appropriate ICT Education

42. Preparing Africa

43. 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 an
exam 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

44. Challenges for Universities
Staff
Knowledge development
Societal awareness
Curiosity
Infrastructure
Computer labs
Access for all
Research
Applied
Usable

45. Appropriate Curriculum
Development
● 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 about
them

46. Changing attitudes
South North
● Develop awareness ● Recognize
● Aim local uniqueness
● Support local
● Develop knowledge
initiatives in ICT4D area
● Develop open
● Use IT experts
partnerships ● Train graduates
● Show leadership

47. 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!!!

48. 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 nur-
turing innovation
● A research chair in ICT4D

49. 10Q 10Q
More information:
Prof. Victor van Reijswoud
victor@virtualuni.ac.ug