ICT for Development ICT 4 D an introduction

ICT for Development ICT 4 D: an introduction ICT 4 D Lecture 1 Tim Unwin

The Indian Ocean Tsunami: how ICT saved lives • MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (http: //www. mssrf. org) w Series of village knowledge centres • Fishing communities w Weather systems • Tsunami: Nallavadu village w Son in Singapore ‘phoned home w Villagers broadcast warning w 3, 630 villagers saved § 150 homes and 200 boats destroyed w 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 w Your learning objectives • Learning methods w Diversity and relevance • Collaborative activities • Assessment • Outline and timetable Lecture 1

ICT 4 D - 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: w w w Understanding of ICT 4 D Acquisition of relevant technical skills Knowledge of practical aspects of ICT 4 D delivery Encouragement to think critically Skills and understanding relevant to careers • Informal - to be the best course in College! w w Relevant Enjoyable Challenging Fulfilling Lecture 1

Your learning objectives • A shared experience - we all contribute w Not only to the course, but also to the lives of poor and marginalised peoples • Development practice: examples w 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 noone else knows about your neighbour w Agreeing shared objectives § In groups of five agree on your learning objectives § Then we will discuss them together • Your own individual learning objectives w Write these down afterwards Lecture 1

Your learning objectives Agreed five main objectives *** 1. *** 2. *** 3. *** 4. *** 5. *** Lecture 1

Your learning objectives Agreed five main objectives in 2004 -5 1. Presentation skills (2) 2. Web page design (4) 3. Confidence/camera (1) 4. Interactive classes (4) 5. Really good marks (5) Lecture 1

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

Learning methods (ii) • Practicals w Hands-on experience: web-design • Seminars w Group-based learning, presentational skills • On-line learning w Resources and discussion w 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 w Moderated by me • Support for poor and marginalised communities w Web-pages • Opportunities for volunteering w Online volunteering http: //www. onlinevolunteering. org/ • Shared bibliographical information • Built around www. ict 4 d. org. uk • Working together to enhance achievement and enjoyment Lecture 1

Assessment (i) • Two hour examination (70%) w Two questions from six w 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 w 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%) w 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. ict 4 d. org. uk collective w Oral presentations (individual 15 minutes) § Collaborative revision environment § Includes a peer assessment element w 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 w e. g. CEDAR seminars • Again designed to be flexible and collaborative w 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