1. Session 1 “ICTs for Development” course
Understanding ICT4D
Session 1
“ICTs for Development” course
Aim – to understand the definitions and concepts underlying ICT4D
Objectives – participants will be able to:
- Define the whole and parts of ICT4D
- Explain the connection between ICTs and development
- Categorise the history of ICT4D
- Categorise key theories and concepts of relevance to ICT4D

2. Is This ICT4D? 1.1. What Do We Mean By “ICT4D”?
ASK – can you give me some examples of what we mean by ICT4D?
Use Section 1.1 examples or similar and for each in turn ASK – is this ICT4D?
>Key queries around geographic location and nature of activity.
To understand further, look at I, C, T, D in turn.
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3. Defining Information and Communication
Knowledge
Information
Data
Defining Information and Communication
Give definition and example from Section text of: data, information, knowledge.
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4. CIPSO View of ICT System
Capture
Input
Store
Process
Output
Storage
Retrieval
Data
Processed Data
Information
SOURCE
RECIPIENT
Core Information System
Wider Information System
Knowledge
Use Section text to explain CIPSO model and information value chain, including communication.
Adapted from Lucey (2005) and Laudon & Laudon (2016)

5. Exercise
EXERCISE
This doctor is typing patient records into his laptop. In this case, give an example of: data, information, knowledge, communication.
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6. Different Scopes of ICT
ICT Scope 3: All ICT
Any entity that processes or communicates data in any form
Any entity that processes or communicates data in electrical form
ICT Scope 2: All Electrical ICT
ICT Scope 1: All Digital ICT
Any entity that processes or communicates digital data
Defining Technology and ICT
Use Section text to explain three scopes of ICT.
Focus here is ICT Scope 1.

7. Different Scopes of Development
Development Scope 3: Generic Development
Development Scope 2: Geography- Specific Development
Development Scope 1: Agenda- Specific Development
Any progressive change in a society
Any progressive change in a developing country
Particular progressive changes in a developing country
Defining Development
Use Section text to explain three scopes of development.
Focus here is Development Scope 1.

8. What is a Developing Country?
OECD DAC list definition of developing country.
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9. Defining ICT4D 1.1.4. Defining ICT4D Read Section 1.1.4 definition.
Implications of excluding Argentina and US examples given earlier.

10. Development Paradigms
Dominant Phases of Particular Development Paradigms
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Modernisation
Growth as development
Technology transfer
Transfer of ideas/values
Dependency
Core-periphery position within world system
Breaking away
Basic Needs
Focus on basic needs
High degree of state intervention (agricultural policies, credit, etc)
Neo-Liberalism
Beginning of retreat of the state
Focus on markets – getting prices right
Human Development
Multi-dimensional – micro-credit, gender, environment, poverty, etc.
Greater focus on participatory methods
Post-Development
Idea and discourse of development as problematic
Sustainable Development
Meeting current needs without compromising future needs; especially environment
International Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
1.2. What Does “Development” Mean?
ICT4D means technology is used to deliver international development agenda. But what is that agenda? It has changed over time.
EXERCISE
Read Section 1.2 text and then identify the development paradigm that would care most about:
a) Poor people in developing countries?
b) Changing culture in developing countries?
c) The environment?
d) Global structures of exploitation?
e) The positive role of markets?
f) The way development is framed and discussed?
Adapted from: Ellis & Biggs (2001) and Heeks (2009a)

11. Exercise
Look online to find the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and identify the ICT-specific targets within those goals.
EXERCISE
Find the MDGs and SDGs and identify the ICT-specific targets within those goals.

12. MDG 8F
“In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications”
ICT-related target for MDGs

13. SDG 9C
“Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020”
Plus SDG targets that specifically identify ICTs in relation to:
higher education scholarships (Goal 4 – 4B)
women’s empowerment (Goal 5 – 5B)
innovation capacity (Goal 17 – T17.8)
ICT-related elements of SDGs

14. Critiques of ICT4D Development Paradigm ICT Role Modernisation
ICTs transferred from global North have a central role in delivering economic growth and new cultural values
Dependency
ICTs transferred from global North could be exploitative, and greater emphasis should be on local development of ICTs which would have a central role in delivering economic growth
Neo-Liberalism
ICTs have an important role in connected enterprises and countries to local and global markets, and in increasing the efficiency of – and delivering alternatives to – the state
Human Development
ICTs are not central but locally-appropriate digital applications could deliver social and other development outcomes for those on lowest incomes
Post-Development
ICTs are not central but are carriers of discourse and sites for both exclusive and alternative approaches to development
Sustainable Development
ICTs are not central and can deliver either sustainable and just, or unsustainable and unjust development depending on the type of application
How Development Paradigms Shape ICT4D
EXERCISE
Read Box 1.4 and explain the main critiques of ICT4D. What are the implications for ICT4D?
>Technical
>Instrumental
>Structural
Source: developed from Prakash & De’ (2007) and Thapa & Saebo (2014)

15. Phases of ICT4D Issue / Phase ICT4D 0.0 (1960s – mid-1990s) ICT4D 1.0
(mid-1990s – mid-/late-2000s)
ICT4D 2.0
(mid-/late-2000s onwards)
Iconic Technology
PC Database
Telecentre
Mobile Phone
Key Application
Data Processing
Content (& Interaction)
Services & Production
The Poor
Who?
Consumers
Innovators & Producers
Key Goal
Organisational Efficiency
MDGs
?Growth & Development?
Key Issue
Technology's Potential
Readiness & Availability
Uptake & Impact
Key Actor
Government
Donors & NGOs
All Sectors
Attitude
Ignore --> Isolate
Idolise --> Integrate
Integrate --> Innovate
Innovation Model
Northern
Pro-Poor --> Para-Poor
Para-Poor --> Per-Poor
Dominant Discipline
Information Systems
Informatics / Development Studies
Tribrid of CS, IS and DS
Development Paradigm
Modernisation
Human Development
?Development 2.0?
An ICT4D Development Paradigm?
Alongside changes in development paradigms, also changes in way we think about ICT4D.
EXERCISE
Read Box 1.5 and identify the key differences between ICT4D 1.0 and ICT4D 2.0.
>Role of the poor
>Role of ICT
>Foundations vs. impact
Source: Heeks (2009a)

16. Disciplinary Foundations for Development Informatics
Sociology
Science/
Technology Studies
Organisation/
Management Studies
Technology & Development
Information Systems
Development Informatics
Development Studies
Informatics
Information Science
Communication Studies
1.3. Theoretical Foundations of ICT4D
Two roles of theory (see Section 1.3 text): of knowledge, of change.
“I”, “C”, “T” and “D” Theories and ICT4D
TAKEAWAY EXERCISE
Identify home disciplines of the following theories:
i. Communications-for-Development Framework (see Heeks & Molla 2009)
>Communication Studies
ii. Livelihoods Framework (see Heeks & Molla 2009)
>Development Studies
iii. Sein/Harindranath Framework (see Sein & Haridranath 2004)
>Development Informatics
iv. Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (see Venkatesh et al 2003)
>Information Systems
v. Inscription Theory (see Heeks 2002a)
>Science/Technology Studies
Computer Science
Governance
Economics
Source: Heeks (2010c)

17. Design-Reality Gap Model
Information
Technology
Processes
Objectives and values
Skills and knowledge
Management systems and structures
Other resources
Reality
ICT4D System Design
Gap
Are There Any ICT4D Theories?
E.g. Sein & Harindranath (2004), Kleine (2013).
Also ICT4D value chain (next session) and design-reality gap model (explain via Section text).
Adapted from Heeks (2002b)