Workshop Partner

Background

Communication technologies enable better and increased access to information. However, information should fit the context of the need of a person, available at the right time, and in the right mode to be of any effective use. Internet technologies have no doubt expanded the access to information but one requires sufficient knowledge and skill to access this information. The fast pace at which newer technologies are emerging makes it difficult for one to keep oneself updated. In the world of digital divide, this is yet another constraint to deal with, especially in the rural areas where updation of technology is more difficult.

In the developing countries, there is a wide gap in the urban and the rural communities both in terms of basic infrastructure and access to information. It is possible to bridge the gap through quality education with diversified content and methods to suit the socio-economic and cultural context (locale specific). This also calls for capacity building in educational planning and administration and training of teachers in formal and non formal education.

ESF provided an opportunity to prepare a road map on applications of ICTs for sustainable development in developing countries. The Conference brought to the fore issues in the context of developing countries. These are:

• e-learning in the information society
• networked learning in developing countries
• integrated learning environments
• strategies for customizing locale and context specific educational material
• adaptive applications and content for Education through ICTs
• social impact
• learning technology systems
• architectures and platforms for distributed teaching and learning

Issues

The workshop focused on the following topics:

1. Content – In developing countries, there is a large diversity of culture and languages. The formal and non-formal education systems, conventional and distance learning modes, and the technology to be adopted add other dimensions of choices and options. The session brought out means of customizing content that is locale and context specific and culturally sensitive.
2. Technologies and Systems – From radios to televisions to internet, we have a host of technological options available. Since technology only serves as a means rather than an end in itself, the options could either be used in isolation or in combination to suit a particular location or context. The session aimed to come out with technologies that are available and pertinent to developing countries for immediate deployment and which are scalable with respect to time and space.
3. Strategies – ICTs could be a means to involve a variety of groups - urban or rural school students, children from urban slum settlements, illiterate adults of vast rural population, and of any gender and age, in the sustainable development process. Despite the deep penetration of audio and video technologies into the rural populations and growing awareness of internet technology, a large mass of many of the developing countries still do not have adequate access or exposure to many of the ICTs. The session outlined the processes that need to be developed for reaching out to the target audience through e-learning and e-literacy interventions.
4. Gender Mainstreaming and Equity – Despite many policies of the Government and efforts of NGOs/CBOs, women in developing countries are still not in the mainstream of the decision making processes. It is therefore imperative that more than mere number of women enlisted in various groups to provide women with equal access to information. The session helped in evolving gender-sensitive policies and initiatives into education through ICTs to ensure women are not left out of the civic and economic opportunities.
5. Developing a Roadmap for the Decade – Considerable work has been initiated in most of the developing countries in the use of ICTs. But a more concerted, coordinated and systematic approach with well worked out strategies including timelines and partners is necessary. The session on this topic helped in evolving a road map for implementation of education through ICTs in the developing countries in the coming decade.