Does Aid for Information and Communications Technology Help Reduce the Global Digital Divide?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sèna Kimm Gnangnon
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Global Digital Divide

scholarly journals An Intergenerational Information and Communications Technology Learning Project to Improve Digital Skills: User Satisfaction Evaluation

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/13939 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e13939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Marc de San Pedro ◽  
Eva Aumatell Verges ◽  
Salvador Simó Algado ◽  
Francesc Garcia Cuyàs
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Satisfaction Evaluation

Background “Digital Partners” is an intergenerational information and communications technology learning project carried out in the municipalities of Vic and Centelles (Catalonia) from April to May 2018. Within the framework of the introduction of community service as a subject in secondary education, the Centre for Health and Social Studies (University of Vic) created a training space with 38 intergenerational partners (aged 14-15 years and >65 years), with the aim of improving the senior users’ digital skills in terms of use of smartphones and tablets, thus helping reduce the digital divide in the territory. Objective The aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction of both junior and senior participants toward the intervention and to explore its main drivers. Methods Participants who volunteered to participate in the study were interviewed. Quantitative and qualitative data gathered in paper-based ad hoc surveys were used to assess participants’ satisfaction. Results The experience shows a broad satisfaction of both junior and senior users. The project’s strengths include the format of working in couples; randomly pairing individuals by operating system; the ability to practice with the device itself; individuals’ free choice to decide what they wish to learn, develop, or practice; and the availability of voluntary practice material that facilitates communication and learning. With regard to aspects that could be improved, there is a need to review the timetabling flexibility of meetings to avoid hurrying the elderly and to extend the project’s duration, if necessary. Conclusions This activity can serve to create mutual learning through the use of mobile devices and generate security and motivation on the part of the seniors, thus reducing the digital divide and improving social inclusion.

Sustainable Development and the Digital Divide Among OIC Countries

2010 ◽  
pp. 233-252
Author(s):  
Chamhuri Siwar ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Abdulai
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Almost All

Undoubtedly, digital technology (DT) has revolutionalised information and communications technology (ICT) base of the global economy, which has impacted tremendously the socio-economic, political, cultural and scientific development in the majority of the world’s economies. The chapter examines “digital divide” in a broader perspective of information and communications technologies (ICTs) that encompass not only computers, but also telephone (line and cellular), television (TV), radio etc. It is an open secret that ICTs have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining economic development in the developed countries. Through ICTs, creating, storing and sharing enormous volume of information with relative ease in almost all the spheres of human endeavour have been made possible. The power inherent in ICT that can break up barriers and boundaries holding countries, continents and businesses miles apart can never be over-emphasized. Despite the attendant benefits of ICTs, there are still deep-seated ICT inequalities both within and among the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries. This chapter investigates the depth of the existing digital divide among the OIC member countries and to unearth the possible obstacles. Finally, some policy recommendations have been offered towards the end of the chapter.

Crossing the Digital Divide and Putting ICT to Work to Improve People's Lives

2005 ◽  
pp. 144-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Peters
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Democratic Institutions ◽  
Free Press ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
World Poverty ◽  
Access To Technology

Information and communications technology (ICT) is a key weapon in the war against world poverty. When used effectively, it offers huge potential to empower people in developing countries to overcome development obstacles, address the most important social problems they face, and strengthen communities, democratic institutions, a free press, and local economies. But, a “digital divide” separates those who can access and use ICT to gain these benefits, and those who do not have access to technology or cannot use it for one reason or another.

scholarly journals An Intergenerational Information and Communications Technology Learning Project to Improve Digital Skills: User Satisfaction Evaluation (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Marc de San Pedro ◽  
Eva Aumatell Verges ◽  
Salvador Simó Algado ◽  
Francesc Garcia Cuyàs
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Satisfaction Evaluation

BACKGROUND “Digital Partners” is an intergenerational information and communications technology learning project carried out in the municipalities of Vic and Centelles (Catalonia) from April to May 2018. Within the framework of the introduction of community service as a subject in secondary education, the Centre for Health and Social Studies (University of Vic) created a training space with 38 intergenerational partners (aged 14-15 years and >65 years), with the aim of improving the senior users’ digital skills in terms of use of smartphones and tablets, thus helping reduce the digital divide in the territory. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction of both junior and senior participants toward the intervention and to explore its main drivers. METHODS Participants who volunteered to participate in the study were interviewed. Quantitative and qualitative data gathered in paper-based ad hoc surveys were used to assess participants’ satisfaction. RESULTS The experience shows a broad satisfaction of both junior and senior users. The project’s strengths include the format of working in couples; randomly pairing individuals by operating system; the ability to practice with the device itself; individuals’ free choice to decide what they wish to learn, develop, or practice; and the availability of voluntary practice material that facilitates communication and learning. With regard to aspects that could be improved, there is a need to review the timetabling flexibility of meetings to avoid hurrying the elderly and to extend the project’s duration, if necessary. CONCLUSIONS This activity can serve to create mutual learning through the use of mobile devices and generate security and motivation on the part of the seniors, thus reducing the digital divide and improving social inclusion.

Sustainable Development and the Digital Divide Among OIC Countries

2013 ◽  
pp. 242-261
Author(s):  
Chamhuri Siwar ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Abdulai
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Almost All

Undoubtedly, digital technology (DT) has revolutionalised information and communications technology (ICT) base of the global economy, which has impacted tremendously the socio-economic, political, cultural and scientific development in the majority of the world’s economies. The chapter examines “digital divide” in a broader perspective of information and communications technologies (ICTs) that encompass not only computers, but also telephone (line and cellular), television (TV), radio etc. It is an open secret that ICTs have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining economic development in the developed countries. Through ICTs, creating, storing and sharing enormous volume of information with relative ease in almost all the spheres of human endeavour have been made possible. The power inherent in ICT that can break up barriers and boundaries holding countries, continents and businesses miles apart can never be over-emphasized. Despite the attendant benefits of ICTs, there are still deep-seated ICT inequalities both within and among the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries. This chapter investigates the depth of the existing digital divide among the OIC member countries and to unearth the possible obstacles. Finally, some policy recommendations have been offered towards the end of the chapter.

Crossing the Digital Divide and Putting ICT to Work to Improve People's Lives

2008 ◽  
pp. 3804-3806
Author(s):  
Teresa Peters
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Democratic Institutions ◽  
Free Press ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
World Poverty ◽  
Access To Technology

Information and communications technology (ICT) is a key weapon in the war against world poverty. When used effectively, it offers huge potential to empower people in developing countries to overcome development obstacles, address the most important social problems they face, and strengthen communities, democratic institutions, a free press, and local economies. But, a “digital divide” separates those who can access and use ICT to gain these benefits, and those who do not have access to technology or cannot use it for one reason or another.

South-east Asia's digital divide is widening

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Foreign Assistance ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Regional Economic ◽  
Content Type

Subject Digital access. Significance Advances in information and communications technology (ICT) are critical to South-east Asia’s future economic prosperity and social progress, and to boosting the region’s economies up the value chain. Impacts Singapore will use the ‘smart cities’ initiative to attract foreign assistance to ease the regional digital divide. Poorer countries will struggle the most in increasing digital access, due to lack of infrastructure and policy misalignment. This will, in turn, increase inter-regional economic inequality.

scholarly journals Embedding Digital Advantage: A Five-Stage Maturity Model for Digital Communities

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Digital Communities ◽  
Community Technology ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Technology Capability

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has the potential to offer citizens new ways with which to engage in the process of democracy. It is not sufficient that communities and citizens have access to ICT for the digital divide to be bridged; such communities need to also become literate in the new technologies. Resources need to be made available that are useful, interesting and relevant. Ultimately, communities need to be empowered to become more than receivers of information and services via technology; they must become producers of new knowledge and information. Such publications are then able to represent a community’s unique viewpoint to a wider audience.   This paper describes a five stage model for community ICT engagement and maturity. This model is non-linear and temporal and can be used as an audit of current community technology capability for assessing maturity and for establishing clear milestones within a community ICT framework. Such a model is useful for assessing and developing eDemocracy issues within individual groups and communities and as a way of mapping progress within a wider community, city or regional setting.

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