Seminar
The 19th of May I had the opportunity to present a seminar at the Centre for Educational Technology at University of Cape Town. A smaller event attended by about 15 people, but it was nice for me to present some of my ideas and to receive good feedback. Also it was very helpful for me to go through this process, since it gave me a much better idea of how to present my work in my thesis. This is the initial abstract sent to the organizer:
Africa and ICT: The Challenges and Problems of Digital Development and Integration.
The topic I am investigating in my thesis is how the application of Information and Communication Technology can be used to empower disadvantaged communities in third world countries.
Over the last 50 years Denmark has been a major contributor to development projects throughout the so-called third world. Much of these funding initiatives have been directed to countries located on the African continent. At the outset these initiatives have mainly been aimed at preventing hunger catastrophes and have generally donated money in order to ensure a decent standard of life. With the dawn of the so-called Information society during the 80’ies and 90’ies, ICT has become an integrated part in the efforts for developing disadvantaged countries. Among development theorists it is regarded as crucial that the developing world is not excluded from the IT revolution and thus becoming ‘information poor’ and even more disadvantaged than before.
In my thesis I am investigating how strategies mapped out by international organizations, western governments and third world governments, are working when sought to be implemented. Moreover, I would like to locate the criteria for successful implementation of ICT and get an idea of what works, what doesn’t and why. As my case study, I have chosen to focus on Multi Purpose Community Centres and Telecentres that are offering computer access and training to people in disadvantaged areas. I am investigating if the initiatives employed have had the desired outcome and if community involvement is contributing positively to the integration and use of ICT in areas where there has been little or no exposure to technology.
I aim to approach my data from a perspective, which is critically investigating present first world conceptions of development and the use of ICT as a means of developing. For me South Africa is interesting not only because it is commonly regarded as a developing country where a relatively large proportion of the population is living in poverty, but also because of the challenges the country is presently facing in its post-apartheid era.
This is the unedited version of the abstract. A shorter version of the abstract, edited by the organizer, was sent out. I made a few power points that soon will be available on this site.
The off topic section:
[*][*][*][*][*][ ]
Movie review: Adaptation: Never knew I’d see Nicholas Cage in a great role, but he’s actually great in this funny but very very crazy movie. It’s a bit like Part 2 of ‘Being John Malkovich’ but still it’s own; just a lot more weird. It’s even based on actual events, or is it?? Weird, but funny, I enjoyed it.
Africa and ICT: The Challenges and Problems of Digital Development and Integration.
The topic I am investigating in my thesis is how the application of Information and Communication Technology can be used to empower disadvantaged communities in third world countries.
Over the last 50 years Denmark has been a major contributor to development projects throughout the so-called third world. Much of these funding initiatives have been directed to countries located on the African continent. At the outset these initiatives have mainly been aimed at preventing hunger catastrophes and have generally donated money in order to ensure a decent standard of life. With the dawn of the so-called Information society during the 80’ies and 90’ies, ICT has become an integrated part in the efforts for developing disadvantaged countries. Among development theorists it is regarded as crucial that the developing world is not excluded from the IT revolution and thus becoming ‘information poor’ and even more disadvantaged than before.
In my thesis I am investigating how strategies mapped out by international organizations, western governments and third world governments, are working when sought to be implemented. Moreover, I would like to locate the criteria for successful implementation of ICT and get an idea of what works, what doesn’t and why. As my case study, I have chosen to focus on Multi Purpose Community Centres and Telecentres that are offering computer access and training to people in disadvantaged areas. I am investigating if the initiatives employed have had the desired outcome and if community involvement is contributing positively to the integration and use of ICT in areas where there has been little or no exposure to technology.
I aim to approach my data from a perspective, which is critically investigating present first world conceptions of development and the use of ICT as a means of developing. For me South Africa is interesting not only because it is commonly regarded as a developing country where a relatively large proportion of the population is living in poverty, but also because of the challenges the country is presently facing in its post-apartheid era.
This is the unedited version of the abstract. A shorter version of the abstract, edited by the organizer, was sent out. I made a few power points that soon will be available on this site.
The off topic section:
[*][*][*][*][*][ ]
Movie review: Adaptation: Never knew I’d see Nicholas Cage in a great role, but he’s actually great in this funny but very very crazy movie. It’s a bit like Part 2 of ‘Being John Malkovich’ but still it’s own; just a lot more weird. It’s even based on actual events, or is it?? Weird, but funny, I enjoyed it.
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