University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Considerations and Suggestions for an ICT with a perspective for Developing Countries Gaetano La Russa University of Joensuu 1 April 2005

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos African Digital Doorway Freestanding multimedia computer terminal Freestanding multimedia computer terminal Keyboard Keyboard Touchpad Touchpad Robust kiosk (open 24 hours a day) Robust kiosk (open 24 hours a day)

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Digital Doorway project scopes To verify results, in the South African context, of research conducted in India indicating that: To verify results, in the South African context, of research conducted in India indicating that: children can acquire functional computer skills without any formal training children can acquire functional computer skills without any formal training through their own intuition and exploration through their own intuition and exploration

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Digital Doorway software The Digital Doorway computer terminals house The Digital Doorway computer terminals house regular word-processing software (for typing of letters or messages) regular word-processing software (for typing of letters or messages) tools for mathematics, science, music and language applications tools for mathematics, science, music and language applications an HIV/Aids presentation an HIV/Aids presentation Internet and access Internet and access entry-level versions of Word and Excel entry-level versions of Word and Excel

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Digital Doorway: basic configuration? The DD are configured to simulate actual computer usage conditions The DD are configured to simulate actual computer usage conditions They include multimedia capabilities to ensure an enriching learning experience for users They include multimedia capabilities to ensure an enriching learning experience for users

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Usage of the digital doorway Observations show that the Cwili Digital Doorway is used from as early as 5am until approximately 9.30pm (16½ hours a day) Observations show that the Cwili Digital Doorway is used from as early as 5am until approximately 9.30pm (16½ hours a day) with groups of 6 to 10 children, both boys and girls, aged between 9 and 15, regularly using the computer with groups of 6 to 10 children, both boys and girls, aged between 9 and 15, regularly using the computer

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Some results 1/2 Within a month of installation, about 60% of the village's children had already taught each other basic computer functions, including the ability to drag icons, re-arrange windows and open applications Within a month of installation, about 60% of the village's children had already taught each other basic computer functions, including the ability to drag icons, re-arrange windows and open applications

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Some results 2/2 The most popular programmes: The most popular programmes: the Cwili children have been the educational programmes as well as the music programme the Cwili children have been the educational programmes as well as the music programme the older groups prefer the Internet and Word, as well as the music the older groups prefer the Internet and Word, as well as the music

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos A comparison to the India's Hole in the Wall 75 kiosks around India 75 kiosks around India The Hole in the Wall is Windows-based The Hole in the Wall is Windows-based Accessible only to children under the age of 15 Accessible only to children under the age of 15 All programs in English All programs in English This project is funded from sources such as the World Bank, which is why it has become a large scale project that employs 20 technicians on a full time basis This project is funded from sources such as the World Bank, which is why it has become a large scale project that employs 20 technicians on a full time basis

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos What about DD? 2 Digital Doorway kiosks have been installed in South Africa The project falls within IST programme of icomtek It is based on open source software Accessible to both adults and children It uses languages other than English in its programs: language modules have been added for isiZulu, isiXhosa, tshiVenda, Setswana, and Afrikaans

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos What’s similar in HW and DD The two projects operate within the same socio-economic contexts India is similar to South Africa with regard to the extreme poverty and the absence of telecommunications infrastructures, particularly in rural areas Children's excited response to the project confirms that children across continents have the same aspirations and needs

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos The Future Paradigm: Social e-learning Analysis of real e-learning practices towards e-inclusion have highlighted the following six key areas which are good starting points for both implementation and further research: 1 Social solutions to social problems 2 Community and awareness 3 Towards the transparent PC 4 Problem solving methodology for e-learning 5 Internet for everybody

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos 1 Social solutions to social problems Need to address the social problems that have turned people into digitally excluded, and NOT only consider the ones derived from lack of structure To consider the qualitative difference between someone which is already excluded and need to understand and use ICT and someone which only needs some formal knowledge to jump in (DD?)

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos 2 Community and awareness ITC can help real communities to expand their political, social and cultural horizons Isolated communities can use digital technologies to be better known and respected among our society Dispersed members of a community can stay in touch and continue developing their own lifestyles and culture These tools may be relevant to rural isolated communities and migrants but also an important measure to fight sexism in the computer world and help women to join and transform ICT

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos 3 Towards the transparent PC Computers and software (C&S) improvements makes things worse every year for the digitally excluded (elderly or people with disabilities) Need to consider strategies and technologies to turn C&S more intuitive and easier to use Can ICT be “easy”?

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos 4 Problem solving methodology for e-learning Need to avoid academicism To construct e-learning materials that are Useful Practical Motivational To focus on the specific social and cultural context Be concretizing and less traditionalist

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos 5 Internet for everybody Need to raise awareness, among software and hardware producers, on: Cognitive adaptable contents Sensorial adaptable contents Adaptability to physical disabilities

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Some considerations on ”standards” Need to identify the best learning resources for own individual skill needs and be able to identify the sources of this information Infrastructure and content production based on open standards will provide a dramatic acceleration of e-learning development and deployment

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos A study carried out in Spain suggests that pupils with least motivation and the worst grades are those who experience greatest improvement when the computer and digital teaching materials are introduced into their education The new technologies can play a “redistributor” role in the dissemination of information by stimulating the rhythm of information acquisition of those who know less and bringing it closer to that of those who know more New technologies should exert influence in two essential aspects: motivation and learning processes

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos ICT: good or bad? 1. ICT may constitute another exclusion factor to be added to the classics (age, poverty, illiteracy and so on). ICTs may therefore aggravate pre-existing problems 2. ICT may help overcome some “traditional” exclusion, fostering as they do new methods of learning, and can especially benefit social groups distanced from traditional education

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos Thank you for Your Attention !!

University of Joensuu Dept. of Computer Science P.O. Box 111 FIN Joensuu Finland Tel fax cs.joensuu.fi/viscos