ICT for Development ICT4D: an introduction ICT4D Lecture 1 Tim Unwin

The Indian Ocean Tsunami: how ICT saved lives MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (http://www.mssrf.org) Series of village knowledge centres Fishing communities Weather systems Tsunami: Nallavadu village Son in Singapore ‘phoned home Villagers broadcast warning 3,630 villagers saved 150 homes and 200 boats destroyed Subsequent relief efforts helped by Knowledge Centres See also Development Gateway http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict Lecture 1

Lecture Outline ICT for Development: initial thoughts Course aims and objectives Your learning objectives Learning methods Diversity and relevance Collaborative activities Assessment Outline and timetable Lecture 1

ICT4D - what is it? Information and communication technologies for development What kinds of information and communication technologies can we think of? How can these be used to deliver development objectives? Lecture 1

Aims and objectives Formal: Understanding of ICT4D Acquisition of relevant technical skills Knowledge of practical aspects of ICT4D delivery Encouragement to think critically Skills and understanding relevant to careers Informal - to be the best course in College! Relevant Enjoyable Challenging Fulfilling Lecture 1

Your learning objectives A shared experience - we all contribute Not only to the course, but also to the lives of poor and marginalised peoples Development practice: examples Getting to know each other at the start of a workshop or a piece of teamwork Two minutes to find out name, background and something no-one else knows about your neighbour Agreeing shared objectives In groups of five agree on your learning objectives Then we will discuss them together Your own individual learning objectives Write these down afterwards Lecture 1

Your learning objectives Agreed five main objectives *** *** Lecture 1

Your learning objectives Agreed five main objectives in 2004-5 Presentation skills (2) Web page design (4) Confidence/camera (1) Interactive classes (4) Really good marks (5) Lecture 1

Learning methods (i) Lectures Reading Visiting speaker presentations Framework, inspiration, clarification Reading In depth understanding of subject matter Much of material will be on-line Visiting speaker presentations Opportunity to learn from their practical experience Chance to ask questions about future careers Tutorials In depth discussion of issues and writing skills Lecture 1

Learning methods (ii) Practicals Seminars On-line learning Hands-on experience: web-design Seminars Group-based learning, presentational skills On-line learning Resources and discussion Our forum at http://discussion.rhul.ac.uk Please log in and use this “for everything”! See last year’s forum for ideas Overall work-load: c. 150 hours Possibilities of internships Lecture 1

Collaborative activities Discussion forum Moderated by me Support for poor and marginalised communities Web-pages Opportunities for volunteering Online volunteering http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/ Shared bibliographical information Built around www.ict4d.org.uk Working together to enhance achievement and enjoyment Lecture 1

Assessment (i) Two hour examination (70%) Two questions from six Designed to assess Ability to answer a question Powers of logical argument Understanding of relevant literatures Skill at written expression Ability to work under pressure A chance to show everything you have learnt during the course Based above all on the amount of work you have done through the course Not a test of what you don’t know! Lecture 1

Assessment (ii) Coursework (30%): 3 elements (each 10%) Group web-pages (three or four students) Self selecting topics and groups working on a technical skill: all group members awarded the same mark To be designed with real audiences in mind as part of www.ict4d.org.uk collective Oral presentations (individual 15 minutes) Collaborative revision environment Includes a peer assessment element Annotated bibliography (at least 100 words on each of 30 references) Reading and critical thinking Work on these throughout the term! Lecture 1

Outline and timetable Full details of provisional course timetable on handout Additional activities will be announced e.g. CEDAR seminars Again designed to be flexible and collaborative We will need to see how sessions towards the end of term will work out Would you prefer revision presentations at start of summer term - possibly at UNESCO in Paris? Lecture 1

Opportunity for Questions