From donc at internode.on.net Thu Aug 2 16:26:18 2007 From: donc at internode.on.net (Don Cameron) Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 06:26:18 +1000 Subject: [DDN] Do Internet Filters Undermine the Teaching of21st CenturyCitizenship? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <61fg7n$4q5otp@ipmail02.adl2.internode.on.net> Hi Dave, Thanks and yes... In the example that commenced this thread the 'filter' was in fact described as a firewall, and explained as follows: "I understand why they did it -- because of bandwidth". Hence observation on the rationale often behind such deployments designed to provide equitable access to a finite resource. It's not always about censorship (however I do completely agree with your comments on censorship). Cheers, Don -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Dave Chakrabarti Sent: Friday, 27 July 2007 8:01 AM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Do Internet Filters Undermine the Teaching of21st CenturyCitizenship? Don, You make a great point; if filters are implemented to share bandwidth more equitably (it might be more important for 100 people to have email than for 3 to have video), they are certainly an effective tool, especially in broadband backwaters such as the United States. However, I think people are generally annoyed by content-based filtering. Filters aren't very *good* at this yet; filters that cannot identify risque YouTube videos will err on the side of caution and block YouTube. Similarly, filters (and adults) that can't easily guarantee digital safety for teens on MySpace find it easier to just block MySpace. It's always easier to censor than to educate; filters are a reflection of this. Whether this is effective or not is another matter. Sadly, content-based filtering may become required to "have access at all" in some environments; in the US, for example, there is still a strong movement to mandate that schools and other educational institutions block access to any website that is "interactive" in the name of online safety. This could block access to MySpace not because of the bandwidth loss, but because they've failed to teach children how to use online social networking safely and effectively. A filter is a poor substitute for education. For employment settings, I think filtering would be a viable option if there were filters that were *good* at filtering. For example, could a nonprofit employee do research on breast cancer or on child trafficking without tripping a filter? Google sometimes has trouble with this, even with all the R&D put into their algorithm; I doubt small commercial attempts to create better algorithms will succeed. Dave. ------------------------ Dave Chakrabarti Director of Programs Grassroots.org On Jul 26, 2007, at 10:59 AM, Don Cameron wrote: >> In my case, Internet filters are undermining my abilities to access >> information I need to do my job most effectively... > > Yet it may be this filter is enabling your ability to access > information if by it's existence you have access at all. Comments > deriding Internet filters sometimes fail to consider why filters are > installed. If for censorship, then I agree; the use of censorship > filters may well restrict and undermine legitimate attempts to access > information. However if a filter is installed for bandwidth > management; to allow the highest number of users the most benefit from > a physically finite resource then the filter becomes an enabler to the > greatest number (albeit some high-bandwidth technologies like > streaming video may be restricted). Many Internet 'filters' are in > fact caching proxy servers designed to provide connectivity to more > people than is otherwise possible on a given level of bandwidth. These > filters are designed to share a limited resource in an equitable > manner. > > DC > > > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide- > request at mailman.edc.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the > message. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 1/08/2007 4:53 PM From donc at internode.on.net Thu Aug 2 16:48:57 2007 From: donc at internode.on.net (Don Cameron) Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 06:48:57 +1000 Subject: [DDN] Do Internet Filters Undermine the Teaching of21st Century Citizenship? In-Reply-To: <46A91DE3.3070201@knowprose.com> Message-ID: <61fg7n$4q5tpn@ipmail02.adl2.internode.on.net> > Forgive me, but in the original context of the message, the context was > censorship of video, etc Hi Taran, The context of the message I replied to suggested 'filtering' was an outcome of technologies deployed to assist bandwidth management, which may or may not have been the case. I agree terminologies have been somewhat confused in recent discussion. > If a caching proxy server cannot sustain the amount of content required, > then either you increase the capability of the server or you get more > bandwidth. Anything which restricts access in this way is de facto > censorship, be it implicitly democratic or not. Unfortunately, "just getting more bandwidth" tends not to be a viable option in these situations, hence the reason bandwidth management technologies are deployed in the first place. I also think trying to redefine 'censorship' as a defacto outcome of anything rather undermines the meaning of the word. Censorship requires deliberation by a controlling group or body; censorship suggests we are not allowed to view something because someone else deems the content inappropriate; yet that potential exists for such decisions to be reversed by lobby or political process (the key word being 'content'; not the technology carrying the content. I.e. a message can be sent as text, or by a talking head on video. The message remains the same even if the technology carrying the message varies). Bandwidth management has nothing to do with censorship; is not censorship; although I agree the tools deployed can be used for this purpose. As always, it is all about motive and intent. DC From philbu at gmx.net Sun Aug 5 02:32:30 2007 From: philbu at gmx.net (Philipp Budka) Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2007 08:32:30 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Call for Papers - Indigenous Peoples Knowledge Society: Transformations and Challenges Message-ID: <20070805063230.278580@gmx.net> Dear Colleagues, I would like to bring to your attention the following event and call for papers: KCTOS: Knowledge, Creativity, and Transformation of Societies Vienna, Austria, 6 to 9 December 2007 Call for Papers for the section: Indigenous Peoples Knowledge Society: Transformations and Challenges / Indigene in der Wissensgesellschaft: Transformationen und Herausforderungen http://www.inst.at/kctos/sektionen_a-f/fiser_budka.htm Abstract: Of the more than 300 Million Indigenous Peoples recognized by the United Nations, a growing minority is actively shaping indigenous visions of a knowledge-based society. These visions are not simply indigenous responses to global mainstream debates over post-industrial development or techno-scientific culture, etc. More importantly, they articulate the actual deployment of new media and information communications technologies (ICTs) by indigenous communities to forward their own policies and practices. They frame how indigenous communities are mobilizing over the internet and on the Web to communicate their lived experiences and extend their local networks to global audiences, including and especially, a global indigenous audience. For academics in the field, online indigenous communities are opening up spaces of inquiry beyond the digital divide by actively co-creating virtual communities and transforming their cultural experience through ICTs (i.e., real life in cyberspace). Questions about resources, knowledge/power and access continue to be important, but they have become more complicated by issues of networking and social life, virtual reproduction, and information policy. These new social, political, and cultural forms of indigeneity will be discussed within this section. Details on Submission: You are invited to submit abstracts (250 words, English) till the 24th of August 2007. Please include your contact details (name, affiliation, email, and a brief bio). Successful candidates will be notified by the end of August. Full paper submissions should be about 4.000 words long, formatted according to the APA guidelines (e.g. http://www-distance.syr.edu/apa5th.html), and submitted by the 16th of November. Accepted papers will be published in TRANS ? Internet Journal for Cultural Sciences (http://www.inst.at/trans/index.htm) and included in a book project (full text on CD-ROM, more info at: http://www.inst.at/kctos/publikationen_en.htm). Please note that the conference organizers are unable to fund travel or hotel costs for conference attendees. Please send abstracts to the section leads Adam Fiser (University of Toronto) adam.fiser at gmail.com and Philipp Budka (University of Vienna) ph.budka at philbu.net Abstracts should address one or more themes reflected in the following research questions: ? How can/should social sciences describe and explain local indigenous knowledge production in a potentially global knowledge system? What are the socio-cultural and political inter-linkages between local and global? ? How do indigenous communities integrate new media practices and ICTs into processes of local media production and networking to participate in socio-cultural life, political movements, economic development, healthcare, education, and so forth? ? How might indigenous communities? uses of new media and ICTs reflect challenges for diversity, conflict, global ethics, pluralism, gender, youth and heritage? ? What best practices have indigenous organizations developed around the inter-linkages of knowledge production, new media, ICTs, and local/global community networks (that could inform practitioners and scholars)? All the best, Philipp -- Philipp Budka philbu at gmx.net Dreyhausenstra?e 18/7 A-1140 Wien, Austria http://www.philbu.net -- GMX FreeMail: 1 GB Postfach, 5 E-Mail-Adressen, 10 Free SMS. Alle Infos und kostenlose Anmeldung: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/freemail From andycarvin at yahoo.com Mon Aug 6 11:20:24 2007 From: andycarvin at yahoo.com (Andy Carvin) Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 08:20:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] It's Never Too Early to Plan for OneWebDay Message-ID: <251457.60599.qm@web44806.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Hi everyone, I just wanted to share a link to my blog post about OneWebDay, which is taking place on September 22. The idea behind OneWebDay is to encourage Netizens to set aside some time that day to make the Web a better place, like teaching a neighbor how to vlog, editing a Wikipedia entry, setting up a community wifi hotspot, etc. Yesterday I wrote an article about OneWebDay including some suggestions from the event's founder, Susan Crawford, on how schools could get involved. http://urltea.com/15gt More on the event: http://www.onewebday.org Are any of you planning to participate? If so, what will you be doing that day? thanks, andy ------------------------ Andy Carvin andycarvin at yahoo com www.andycarvin.com www.pbs.org/learningnow ------------------------ From fouadbajwa at gmail.com Mon Aug 6 15:36:46 2007 From: fouadbajwa at gmail.com (Fouad Riaz Bajwa) Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 00:36:46 +0500 Subject: [DDN] Invitation for Nominations to the Stockholm Challenge Award 2008 & Stockholm Challenge GKP Awards 2007 Message-ID: <46b7785a.16538c0a.339d.4aba@mx.google.com> Dear ICT & FOSS Community Members, The International Free and Open Source Software Foundation iFOSSF, MI, USA (http://www.ifossf.org) is a member of the Champions Network of the Stockholm Challenge (http://www.stockholmchallenge.se). We would like to identify innovative and/or outstanding projects and programmes from the community that use ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) to intervene in social and economic problems in worthwhile and innovative ways. We would like to encourage organizations to submit their projects that would make an excellent participant in the following categories of the Stockholm Challenge, with the Awards being made in May 2008. If you are also a member of a Multi Stakeholder partnership, you may also be eligible for the Stockholm Challenge GKP Awards 2007. The entries to both awards are through the same entry form at ( http://my.stockholmchallenge.se/user/register ): - Public Administration - Culture - Health - Education - Economic Development - Environment This invitation does not in any way guarantee that you will become a finalist; that is up to the Award?s completely independent jury panel, but the staff of iFOSSF and the Challenge is always ready to help you in putting together the most effective entry and to promote your project through our website and our own publicity events. The official closing dates for submission of participant nominations are as per the following: 1. Stockholm Challenge GKP Awards - 31 August 2007 2. Stockholm Challenge Award - 31 December 2007 About the Stockholm Challenge: The Stockholm Challenge ( http://www.stockholmchallenge.se ) encourages and acknowledges projects that tackle the problems of the digital divide and that use ICT to intervene in social and economic problems in worthwhile and innovative ways. In its 10 year existence (originally as the Bangemann Challenges) the Stockholm Challenge has brought together hundreds of finalists at our exhibitions and prize-giving events, acknowledged and raised the profile of the finalists and major award winners and built a challenge "family" of participants who continue to gain benefits from their association with our event. The Challenge is owned and managed by KTH http://www.kth.se/eng (The Royal Institute of Technology) with support from SIDA ( http://www.sida.se/Sida/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=107 ), City of Stockholm ( http://www.stockholm.se/english ), and Ericsson ( http://www.ericsson.com ). This arrangement makes it possible for to set up new possibilities for links both with academic researchers and innovators from around the world. About the International Free and Open Source Software Foundation: The International Free and Open Source Software Foundation (iFOSSF http://www.ifossf.org ) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in Michigan, United States. Its mission is to accelerate the development and usage of Information and Communication Technologies with Free and Open Source Software worldwide for sustained economic and social development, especially for the socially disadvantaged. iFOSSF is centered on FOSS; its purpose is to apply thought leadership in support of innovation and creativity in research and development of FOSS solutions for the benefit of the global community." More information: If you would like to participate in this event, please visit the entry form here ( http://my.stockholmchallenge.se/user/register ). If you would like to know more about the Challenge, please visit the award website, or contact iFOSSF at this address. Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and support. Kind regards Fouad Riaz Bajwa Secretary & Co-Founder International Free and Open Source Software Foundation http://www.ifossf.org Champions Network Stockholm Challenge Award http://www.stockholmchallenge.se From pshapiro at his.com Tue Aug 7 07:20:15 2007 From: pshapiro at his.com (Phil Shapiro) Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2007 07:20:15 -0400 Subject: [DDN] started blogging for PCWorld.com Message-ID: <1186485615.46b8556f212be@webmail2.his.com> hi Digital Divide Network community, some happy news to share. yesterday i started blogging for PCWorld.com on their new Community Voices blog. see my first blog post at http://tinyurl.com/2ewgkz if you'd like to follow the Community Voices blog, here is the web site address of the blog. http://blogs.pcworld.com/communityvoices/ you can add this feed to your bloglines.com (or other rss feed reader) account. this blog is a group blog, so there will be a bunch of other people blogging besides me. although i'm not getting paid for this blogging, the exposure is pretty large. PCWorld.com gets 30 to 35 million pageviews per month. i'd like to thank the many folks who have sent me encouraging words over the years - especially bonnie bracey sutton, siobhan champ-blackwell, claude almansi and andy carvin. your encouragement has meant a lot to me. phil interestingly, just a few minutes after i submitted my first blog post, someone else submitted this item to digg.com at http://tinyurl.com/2hwte8 thanks for digging this if you have a digg account. -- Phil Shapiro pshapiro at his.com http://www.his.com/pshapiro/briefbio.html http://philsrssfeed.blogspot.com http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html "Wisdom starts with wonder." - Socrates "Learning happens through gentleness." From andycarvin at yahoo.com Tue Aug 7 08:58:37 2007 From: andycarvin at yahoo.com (Andy Carvin) Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 05:58:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] started blogging for PCWorld.com In-Reply-To: <1186485615.46b8556f212be@webmail2.his.com> Message-ID: <37197.84158.qm@web44806.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Congratulations, Phil! That's very exciting news. Looking forward to reading it... andy --- Phil Shapiro wrote: > hi Digital Divide Network community, > > some happy news to share. yesterday i started > blogging for PCWorld.com on > their new Community Voices blog. > > see my first blog post at > http://tinyurl.com/2ewgkz > > if you'd like to follow the Community > Voices blog, here is the web > site address of the blog. > > http://blogs.pcworld.com/communityvoices/ > > you can add this feed to your > bloglines.com (or other rss feed > reader) account. > > this blog is a group blog, so there will > be a bunch of other > people blogging besides me. > > although i'm not getting paid for this > blogging, the exposure is > pretty large. PCWorld.com gets 30 to 35 million > pageviews per month. > > i'd like to thank the many folks who > have sent me encouraging words > over the years - especially bonnie bracey sutton, > siobhan champ-blackwell, > claude almansi and andy carvin. > > your encouragement has meant a lot to me. > > phil > > interestingly, just a few minutes after i submitted > my first blog post, someone > else submitted this item to digg.com at > > http://tinyurl.com/2hwte8 > > thanks for digging this if you have a digg > account. > > -- > Phil Shapiro pshapiro at his.com > http://www.his.com/pshapiro/briefbio.html > http://philsrssfeed.blogspot.com > http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html > > "Wisdom starts with wonder." - Socrates > "Learning happens through gentleness." > > > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to > digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with the word > UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > ------------------------ Andy Carvin andycarvin at yahoo com www.andycarvin.com www.pbs.org/learningnow ------------------------ From jc at coyotecommunications.com Wed Aug 8 02:37:36 2007 From: jc at coyotecommunications.com (jc at coyotecommunications.com) Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 06:37:36 +0000 Subject: [DDN] No Cost & Low Cost Online Tools for People w/Disabilities Message-ID: <20070808063736.t4n4hhpw5b4ks4gk@coyotecommunications.com> The National Service Inclusion Project (www.serviceandinclusion.org) regularly posts to the AmeriCorps list (ACList), an email-based discussion group regarding AmeriCorps. This was a post that I thought the Digital Divide Network community would be interested in: Access to computer technology is critical to a level playing field in today's world. Qualified people with disabilities need the same level of access to computers as non-disabled service members and volunteers. Reading and writing documents, communicating via email, and searching the Internet for information, are tasks that many people need to use everyday in their service positions. A lack of access to computers can create barriers for otherwise qualified service members and volunteers. The comprehensive guide titled, "Low Cost and No Cost Online Tools for People with Disabilities", provides a wide array of information and resources. The main purpose of the guide is to provide technology resources that increase access to computers for people with disabilities. For example, the guide can be used to help identify resources for people with disabilities who would benefit from such software as voice output programs to compensate for speech or reading disabilities. There are many other types of resources in this guide that will help the reader learn about what technologies exist, how to obtain funding for various types of computer technology-hardware, software and assistive, as well as how to use existing legislation to advocate for assistive technology, and many other related topics. To review this guide, go to: http://www.ataccess.org/resources/lowcostnocost.html To see a complete list of trainings that NSIP offers, or to request training, go to: http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=request <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> From ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org Fri Aug 10 14:43:11 2007 From: ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org (Irene Bobadilla) Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:43:11 -0700 Subject: [DDN] =?iso-8859-1?q?The_Children=27s_Partnership_is_pleased_to_a?= =?iso-8859-1?q?nnounce_the_release_of_our_new_Issue_Brief=2C_=22Helping_O?= =?iso-8859-1?q?ur_Children_with_Disabilities_Succeed=3A_What_=B9_s_Broadb?= =?iso-8859-1?q?and_Got_To_Do_With_It=3F=22?= Message-ID: Dear Friends, The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release of our new Issue Brief, Helping Our Children with Disabilities Succeed: What?s Broadband Got To Do With It? It focuses on the importance broadband can play in the lives of all children?and, in particular, the 9% in our country who also have disabilities. This report documents the ways broadband can be a powerful tool for youth to enhance their educational achievement, economic opportunities, and workforce preparation, to improve health outcomes, and to strengthen community and civic participation. Yet, children with disabilities are substantially less likely than their peers without disabilities to have access to computers, the Internet, and accessible and assistive technologies. In this Issue Brief, parents, advocates and policy-makers will find a concise summary of disabilities legislation and recommendations for action as well as a link to an online list of resources which can be found at: http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Report/SpecialNeeds/Resources . To view an electronic version of our Issue Brief, visit http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Report/SpecialNeeds. The Children's Partnership (TCP) is a national, nonprofit child advocacy organization working to ensure that all children?especially those at risk of being left behind?have the resources and the opportunities they need to grow up healthy and to lead productive lives. Visit TCP at http://www.childrenspartnership.org/. If you have questions about this new resource, please contact Irene Bobadilla directly at: (310) 260-1220 or email her at: ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org. Sincerely, Irene -- Irene Bobadilla Administrative/Program Associate The Children's Partnership 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Suite 206 Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.260.1220 Phone 310.260.1921 Fax ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org http://www.childrenspartnership.org From ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org Fri Aug 10 14:43:47 2007 From: ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org (Irene Bobadilla) Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:43:47 -0700 Subject: [DDN] The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release of our new video "Community Technology Delivers Opportunities to Youth" Message-ID: Dear Friends, The Children?s Partnership is pleased to announce the release of our new video, ?Community Technology Delivers Opportunities to Youth,? produced in partnership with youth from the Bresee Foundation. This video is an important new tool for civic leaders and policy makers working to increase children?s access to and meaningful use of technology. This new video lets the youth and adults featured in it speak for themselves about the difference community technology programs make in their neighborhoods and schools. They share their own perspectives on how technology has helped them improve their health, educational achievement, preparation for the workforce, and civic participation. We would appreciate it if you would share this video with your colleagues and with other organizations through your listservs and Web sites. We?d also value your suggestions for other ways we can use this new tool to educate civic leaders and policy makers on ways technology can improve youths? lives. Please feel free to use this new tool in your public education efforts as well. The video can be viewed at: http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Video/WhyTechMatters If you have questions about this new resource, please contact Irene Bobadilla directly at: (310) 260-1220 or email her at: ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org. Sincerely, Irene -- Irene Bobadilla Administrative/Program Associate The Children's Partnership 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Suite 206 Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.260.1220 Phone 310.260.1921 Fax ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org http://www.childrenspartnership.org From jsalmons at vision2lead.com Thu Aug 9 17:28:07 2007 From: jsalmons at vision2lead.com (Janet Salmons) Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:28:07 -0600 Subject: [DDN] Webinar: Crossing a Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across Disciplines In-Reply-To: References: <4128DDF1-BAEA-4BE1-A08D-44FFECE3583B@takingitglobal.org> Message-ID: <007d01c7dacc$2f7af7c0$8e70e740$@com> **Apologies for cross-posting; please share** Janet Salmons, PhD and Lynn Wilson, PhD are offering a webinar: Crossing a Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across Disciplines on August 23 at 11-1 am EST, on Trainerspod. What happens when partnerships, teams and projects require us to work with people who come from disciplines different from our own? How can we make it a success? This interactive webinar will provide an opportunity to explore interdisciplinarity in theory and practice. We will present a new model and draw from a wealth of scholarly and practical experience. We both have PhDs in interdisciplinary studies and work in and across disciplines including education and training, business and leadership, the arts, environmental science, government and the social sector. We will discuss our current inter-disciplinary project as editors of the forthcoming book, A Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration and Organizational Synergy http://www.vision2lead.com/html/esynergy.html). Please see information on the website: http://www.trainerspod.com/info/; the webinar is free but registration is necessary. Register here: http://www.trainerspod.com/register. Come and join in the conversation! Pass the word to anyone who might be interested in this live (and lively) discussion! All the best, Janet and Lynn Mark your calendar for future webinars: September 20: Conflict in Collaboration: From Getting Along to Getting things Accomplished October 11: How did WE work? Assessing Collaborative Projects in the Classroom or the Workplace Janet Salmons Ph.D. VISION2LEAD, INC. http://www.vision2lead.com PO Box 943 Boulder, CO 80306-0943 From pam.mclean at ntlworld.com Sat Aug 11 10:35:21 2007 From: pam.mclean at ntlworld.com (Pamela McLean) Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:35:21 +0100 Subject: [DDN] ICT for Education and Development - LearnByDoing In-Reply-To: <007d01c7dacc$2f7af7c0$8e70e740$@com> References: <4128DDF1-BAEA-4BE1-A08D-44FFECE3583B@takingitglobal.org> <007d01c7dacc$2f7af7c0$8e70e740$@com> Message-ID: <46BDC929.7040008@ntlworld.com> *** Apologies for cross posting - Please share *** This is an open invitation to join in and/or observe an ICT for Education and Development - Learn By Doing project. An upcoming key date is Thursday August 16th (see flyer below). The project brings together several strands of work # The development of communities of interest # Using ICT for collaboration # Issues of inclusion via cyber cafes in Africa and India # ICT use by community development activists in Africa and India # ICT training for teachers in rural Africa # Health education and practice # Other practical education and development projects and issues The project is an unusual mixture of theory and practice. The core group are all practitioners of one kind and another, but we are also reflecting on what we are doing, and trying to help each other. We already collaborate through yahoo groups and a chat room, there are clusters of people who know each other face-to-face, and there is a blog http://learnbydoinguk.blogspot.com/. Now we are exploring audio-graphic conferencing as a way to forward our work. Our first audio-graphic meeting is on Thursday August 16th, and sets the scene. Subsequent sessions will focus on other aspects of ICT, Education, Development and ICT4Ed&D. Please feel free to pass on this information. You are invited to register (see below) - even if you will only be able to attend for part of the session - just to get a flavour of the project. The flyer below gives full details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Limited (*FREE*) Registration Now Open for a Live Webinar *Title: *LearnByDoing - ICT for Education and Development** *Speakers: *Pamela McLean *Date:* Thursday, August 16, 2007 *Time:* 11:00 am EDT (3pm GMT, 4pm British Summer Time) - 1:00 pm EDT (Arrive at 10:30 for tutorial on Elluminate) (Please go to http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html to confirm your time zone.) *Cost:* FREE - But 1st come first seated - limited seating. *More Information:* http://www.trainerspod.com/info/ *Register:* http://www.trainerspod.com/register ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Event Background* ICT is changing our opportunities to learn. The LearnByDoing series explores some of the realities, and how they relate to education and development. One image of education is that it has three inter-related parts: teacher(s), learner(s), and a knowledge base of some kind. In many rural African schools rote learning is still the order of the day, because the only knowledge base is the knowledge of the teacher, supplemented by a few books. By contrast, where learners have access to the Internet, a huge knowledge base is available for the learners to interrogate. The Internet also offers the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration on practical projects, and distance learning of various kinds. This session (the first in a series) builds on the knowledge base of a network of activists ? all involved in various aspects of ICT, education, and development. It focuses on their practical projects and issues surrounding them. This session sets the scene and provides a model for subsequent sessions. Each session is complete in itself. A typical session will focus on a given topic, and include people with different kinds of expertise relating to the topic - more in the style of a structured illustrated meeting than an individual presentation. *About the Presenter * Pamela McLean is an ICT for Education (and Development) activist, working on the Internet and in rural Africa. Her work explores the relationship between teaching, learning, and ICT, and the implications for education, training and development. She is involved in ICT training for teachers in rural Kenya and Nigeria (where, it is said, if you train a teacher you train the community); leads the group LearningFromEachOther in Minciu Sodas; is a CAWD volunteer: and is co-director, with John Dada, of DadaMcLean Ltd - Knowledge Brokers. We have limited "seats" for this event. The webinar is entirely free of charge. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Register for the event by visiting: http://www.trainerspod.com/register . The minimum PC requirements are a Pentium III 500 Mhz CPU running Windows 98/ME/2000/XP with 128MB of memory and a sound card. The minimum Mac requirements are Mac OS 9.1/9.2, Mac OS X 10.1.5/10.2/10.3/10.4, running on a G3 233 Mhz CPU with either 64 MB (OS 9), 128 MB (OS X 10.1.5/10.2/10.3) or 256 MB (OS X 10.4). To get maximum benefit from Elluminate Live!, all users should have a microphone and speakers. Trainerspod.com seeks to provide free access to these events to raise knowledge and awareness of the issues, practices and needs of e-Learning practitioners and researchers around the world. *Elluminate* To learn more about Elluminate visit: http://www.elluminate.com Elluminate also has a vRoom where 2 people can be invited by the moderator. It is FREE and has all the tools of the full version except for recording. To use the vRoom visit: http://www.elluminate.com/vRoom We are indebted to Elluminate (www.elluminate.com ) in sponsoring us and providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge. Visit _http://www.elluminate.com/support-portal/_ to search for a solution or contact a support representative. Also visit www.elluminate.com/support TRAINERSPOD? - 2007 - All rights reserved 1273 Neapolitan Rd., Punta Gorda, FL USA 33983 Asif Daya USF info at trainerspod.com > From pronto30 at earthlink.net Sun Aug 12 22:34:19 2007 From: pronto30 at earthlink.net (James Lerman) Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:34:19 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> HI all, I'm trying to find some clips of teachers actually teaching in the classroom. This is for mentors-in-training to be able to do observations in a protected setting. Looking for 6-10 minute segments on the elementary, middle, and high school levels -- just straight documentary type footage, no interview, no explanation -- just teachers teaching. Teaching does not have to be exemplary -- ordinary folks are just fine. If you are aware of any such clips online, I'd be very grateful if you could send me the urls, either on or off-line. Thanks very much. -- James Lerman Coordinator New Jersey Consortium for Middle Schools 447 Hennings Hall Kean University Union, NJ 07083 Tel 908-737-3761 Fax 908-737-3760 jlerman at kean.edu From adivasi at gmail.com Mon Aug 13 09:44:10 2007 From: adivasi at gmail.com (Rajesh Veeraraghavan) Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:44:10 -0700 Subject: [DDN] Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <44080d180708130644w4a1fd59ai7cb2fe1c3eca617@mail.gmail.com> You may want to check out DSH..these classes are in Hindi. http://dsh.cs.washington.edu "Digital StudyHall (DSH) is a research project that seeks to improve education for the poor children in slum and rural schoolsin India. In a nutshell, think of its technical approach as the educational equivalent of Netflix + YouTube+ Kazaa . We digitally record live classes by the best grassroots teachers, transmit them on the "Postmanet" (effected by DVDs sent in the postal system), collect them in a large distributed database, and distribute them on DVDs to poor rural and slum schools. Education experts and teachers use the system to explore pedagogical approaches involving local teachers actively "mediating" the video lessons. By harvesting a "viral phenomenon" of community participation, DSH aims to help train teachers and deliver quality instruction to underprivileged children. The project is a collaboration between computer scientists and education experts" On 8/12/07, James Lerman wrote: > > HI all, > I'm trying to find some clips of teachers actually teaching in the > classroom. This is for mentors-in-training to be able to do observations > in a protected setting. Looking for 6-10 minute segments on the > elementary, middle, and high school levels -- just straight documentary > type footage, no interview, no explanation -- just teachers teaching. > Teaching does not have to be exemplary -- ordinary folks are just fine. > If you are aware of any such clips online, I'd be very grateful if you > could send me the urls, either on or off-line. > Thanks very much. > > -- > James Lerman > Coordinator > New Jersey Consortium for Middle Schools > 447 Hennings Hall > Kean University > Union, NJ 07083 > Tel 908-737-3761 > Fax 908-737-3760 > jlerman at kean.edu > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.orgwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > -- "Think of the poorest person you have ever seen and ask if your next act will be of any use to him." Gandhi Donate Generously at: http://www.aidindia.org From adam at takingitglobal.org Mon Aug 13 16:18:18 2007 From: adam at takingitglobal.org (Adam Clare) Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:18:18 -0400 Subject: [DDN] DDN layout and more fun news Message-ID: <0327A6F6-149F-416B-9D6D-AB73F9619BEE@takingitglobal.org> If you haven't been to DDN today, you should go there now to see the revamped layout! Based on the survey results DDN members wanted to see more emphasis on the DDN blogs, so we've changed the front page to reflect this. Blogs are now placed in the centre column above the featured articles. As a result, your blog will get more exposure so don't forget to add your voice into the mix if you haven't already! You're probably wondering where the survey results are and when you can see them, well wonder no more. The survey results are on DDN's new wiki! That's right, every DDN member will soon have access to a shared wiki. The wiki space will be there for all of us as a community to figure out what to do with. So far there isn't much up there because we're still debugging it, stay tuned for the official launch. We've also created some logos to give DDN an identity that can go beyond the website itself. Check out the three proposed logos on the DDN discussion boards and let us know what you think! http://www.digitaldivide.net/discuss/thread/1020 One more thing, if you are one of the people who said you're interested in volunteering to help DDN expect an email soon. We haven't forgot about you, we've just been busy with the technical side of things as well as some long-term planning for DDN. As always, feel free to contact me with questions, comments and concerns at adam at takingitglobal.org Adam Clare Digital Divide Network Lead Editor TakingITGlobal +1 416.977.9363 (office) +1 416.352.1898 (fax) www.takingitglobal.org www.digitaldivide.net From jwne at temple.edu Mon Aug 13 12:08:23 2007 From: jwne at temple.edu (David P. Dillard) Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:08:23 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [DDN] Looking for Videos of Teachers Teaching In-Reply-To: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> Message-ID: Here are some You Tube links that may be of help to you. I hope that these will be of help to you and have a great week. Sincerely, David Dillard Temple University (215) 204 - 4584 jwne at temple.edu Net-Gold General Internet & Print Resources Digital Divide Network Educator-Gold K12ADMINLIFE Nina Dillard's Photographs Nina Dillard's Photographs on Net-Gold Net-Gold Membership Required to View Photos On Sun, 12 Aug 2007, James Lerman wrote: > HI all, > I'm trying to find some clips of teachers actually teaching in the > classroom. This is for mentors-in-training to be able to do observations > in a protected setting. Looking for 6-10 minute segments on the > elementary, middle, and high school levels -- just straight documentary > type footage, no interview, no explanation -- just teachers teaching. > Teaching does not have to be exemplary -- ordinary folks are just fine. > If you are aware of any such clips online, I'd be very grateful if you > could send me the urls, either on or off-line. > Thanks very much. > > -- > James Lerman > Coordinator > New Jersey Consortium for Middle Schools > 447 Hennings Hall > Kean University > Union, NJ 07083 > Tel 908-737-3761 > Fax 908-737-3760 > jlerman at kean.edu > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > From pwangiverson at gmail.com Mon Aug 13 11:23:51 2007 From: pwangiverson at gmail.com (Patsy Wang-Iverson) Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:23:51 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Fwd: Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: <35711e960708130817y14a14423x4f039cc118a920bf@mail.gmail.com> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> <35711e960708130817y14a14423x4f039cc118a920bf@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <35711e960708130823o55ce1f0aw2ff20762488e8acf@mail.gmail.com> Dear Jim, The videos themselves are not all online, but there is a resource guide for the TIMSS mathematics videos (grade 8: Australia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, U.S.) at: www.rbs.org/international/timss/resource_guide The guide identifies specific clips from 14 of the 28 public release videos (four from each country). These are lessons representative of each country - not necessarily exemplary nor the worst. The videos are available either from LessonLab (www.lessonlab.com) or RBS (www.rbs.org). Once you obtain a set you are free to reproduce them, as they are in the public domain. Various folks at Paterson School No. 2 should have the 4-CD set: Bill Jackson, Lynn Liptak. I also have videos on CD - again, of mathematics classes - at the elementary level (Japanese classes). But I am at JFK on my way out of the country. I could burn you a CD when I return. Let me know if you want it. I have the lesson plans for grades 2, 3, 5, 6 translated into English. Please send me a message if you want them, and I will send them privately. I can't attach it in a listserv message. Patsy On 8/12/07, James Lerman < pronto30 at earthlink.net > wrote: > > HI all, > I'm trying to find some clips of teachers actually teaching in the > classroom. This is for mentors-in-training to be able to do observations > in a protected setting. Looking for 6-10 minute segments on the > elementary, middle, and high school levels -- just straight documentary > type footage, no interview, no explanation -- just teachers teaching. > Teaching does not have to be exemplary -- ordinary folks are just fine. > If you are aware of any such clips online, I'd be very grateful if you > could send me the urls, either on or off-line. > Thanks very much. > > -- > James Lerman > Coordinator > New Jersey Consortium for Middle Schools > 447 Hennings Hall > Kean University > Union, NJ 07083 > Tel 908-737-3761 > Fax 908-737-3760 > jlerman at kean.edu > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.orgwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > ********************************************** Patsy Wang-Iverson, Ph.D. Vice President for Special Projects Gabriella and Paul Rosenbaum Foundation cell: 609.532.0292 net: pwangiverson at gmail.com From pronto30 at earthlink.net Tue Aug 14 00:37:28 2007 From: pronto30 at earthlink.net (James Lerman) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:37:28 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: <44080d180708130644w4a1fd59ai7cb2fe1c3eca617@mail.gmail.com> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> <44080d180708130644w4a1fd59ai7cb2fe1c3eca617@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <46C13188.1040505@earthlink.net> Rajesh, Thank you very much. This is quite interesting. Jim Lerman Rajesh Veeraraghavan wrote: > You may want to check out DSH..these classes are in Hindi. > > http://dsh.cs.washington.edu > > > "Digital StudyHall (DSH) is a research project that seeks to improve > education for the poor children in slum and rural > schoolsin India. In > a nutshell, think of its technical approach as the educational > equivalent of Netflix + > YouTube+ > Kazaa . > > We digitally record live classes by the best grassroots teachers, transmit > them on the "Postmanet" (effected by DVDs sent in the postal system), > collect them in a large distributed database, and distribute them on DVDs to > poor rural and slum schools. Education experts and teachers use the system > to explore pedagogical approaches involving local teachers actively > "mediating" the video lessons. By harvesting a "viral phenomenon" of > community participation, DSH aims to help train teachers and deliver quality > instruction to underprivileged children. The project is a collaboration > between computer scientists and education experts" > > > > On 8/12/07, James Lerman wrote: > >> HI all, >> I'm trying to find some clips of teachers actually teaching in the >> classroom. This is for mentors-in-training to be able to do observations >> in a protected setting. Looking for 6-10 minute segments on the >> elementary, middle, and high school levels -- just straight documentary >> type footage, no interview, no explanation -- just teachers teaching. >> Teaching does not have to be exemplary -- ordinary folks are just fine. >> If you are aware of any such clips online, I'd be very grateful if you >> could send me the urls, either on or off-line. >> Thanks very much. >> >> -- >> James Lerman >> Coordinator >> New Jersey Consortium for Middle Schools >> 447 Hennings Hall >> Kean University >> Union, NJ 07083 >> Tel 908-737-3761 >> Fax 908-737-3760 >> jlerman at kean.edu >> _______________________________________________ >> DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list >> DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net >> http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide >> To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.orgwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. >> >> > > > > From beeonline at gmail.com Tue Aug 14 09:40:39 2007 From: beeonline at gmail.com (Barbara Dieu) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:40:39 -0300 Subject: [DDN] Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: <46C13188.1040505@earthlink.net> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> <44080d180708130644w4a1fd59ai7cb2fe1c3eca617@mail.gmail.com> <46C13188.1040505@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <696811060708140640hd741de6m586a41c38c119144@mail.gmail.com> Hi Jim, You may want to have a look at the Annenberg series. http://www.learner.org/resources/series172.html Regards from Brazil, Bee -- Barbara Dieu http://dekita.org http://beewebhead.net From andycarvin at yahoo.com Tue Aug 14 11:03:56 2007 From: andycarvin at yahoo.com (Andy Carvin) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:03:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] New NSBA report on social networking and students Message-ID: <767300.86684.qm@web44809.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Hi everyone, The National School Boards Association has just released a study on the use of social networking and other web 2.0 tools by students. It's been debated for several days now in the blogosphere after a summary of it got leaked late last week, but as of this morning, the report itself is now available for download. I've got a summary of some of the findings, as well as a brief Q&A with the report's authors, on my PBS blog: http://urltea.com/17ue The report itself can be downloaded here: http://nsba.org/site/docs/41400/41340.pdf andy ------------------------ Andy Carvin andycarvin at yahoo com www.andycarvin.com www.pbs.org/learningnow ------------------------ From akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org Tue Aug 14 16:00:23 2007 From: akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org (April KirkHart) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:00:23 -0700 Subject: [DDN] New resource: kids with special needs and tech In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Please forward the information below on this new issue brief with data and policy recommendations to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks! -- April KirkHart, MSW Special Projects Coordinator The Children's Partnership 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Ste. #206 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Phone: (310) 260-1220 ext: 16 Fax: (310) 260-1921 akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org http://www.childrenspartnership.org http://www.techpolicybank.org http://www.contentbank.org > From: Irene Bobadilla > Reply-To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group > > Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:43:11 -0700 > To: > Conversation: The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release of > our new Issue Brief, "Helping Our Children with Disabilities Succeed: What?s > Broadband Got To Do With It?" > Subject: [DDN] The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release > of our new Issue Brief, "Helping Our Children with Disabilities Succeed: What > ? s Broadband Got To Do With It?" > > Dear Friends, > > The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release of our new > Issue Brief, Helping Our Children with Disabilities Succeed: What?s > Broadband Got To Do With It? It focuses on the importance broadband can play > in the lives of all children?and, in particular, the 9% in our country who > also have disabilities. > > This report documents the ways broadband can be a powerful tool for youth to > enhance their educational achievement, economic opportunities, and workforce > preparation, to improve health outcomes, and to strengthen community and > civic participation. Yet, children with disabilities are substantially less > likely than their peers without disabilities to have access to computers, > the Internet, and accessible and assistive technologies. > > In this Issue Brief, parents, advocates and policy-makers will find a > concise summary of disabilities legislation and recommendations for action > as well as a link to an online list of resources which can be found at: > http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Report/SpecialNeeds/Resources > . > > To view an electronic version of our Issue Brief, visit > http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Report/SpecialNeeds. > > The Children's Partnership (TCP) is a national, nonprofit child advocacy > organization working to ensure that all children?especially those at risk of > being left behind?have the resources and the opportunities they need to grow > up healthy and to lead productive lives. Visit TCP at > http://www.childrenspartnership.org/. > > If you have questions about this new resource, please contact Irene > Bobadilla directly at: (310) 260-1220 or email her at: > ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org. > > Sincerely, > Irene > > -- > Irene Bobadilla > Administrative/Program Associate > The Children's Partnership > 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Suite 206 > Santa Monica, CA 90401 > > 310.260.1220 Phone > 310.260.1921 Fax > ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org > http://www.childrenspartnership.org > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with > the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org Tue Aug 14 15:58:54 2007 From: akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org (April KirkHart) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:58:54 -0700 Subject: [DDN] Children's Partnership new video on youth and tech In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Please see the announcement below and forward to all you think could use it. -- April KirkHart, MSW Special Projects Coordinator The Children's Partnership 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Ste. #206 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Phone: (310) 260-1220 ext: 16 Fax: (310) 260-1921 akirkhart at childrenspartnership.org http://www.childrenspartnership.org http://www.techpolicybank.org http://www.contentbank.org > From: Irene Bobadilla > Reply-To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group > > Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:43:47 -0700 > To: > Conversation: The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release of > our new video "Community Technology Delivers Opportunities to Youth" > Subject: [DDN] The Children's Partnership is pleased to announce the release > of our new video "Community Technology Delivers Opportunities to Youth" > > Dear Friends, > > The Children?s Partnership is pleased to announce the release of our new > video, ?Community Technology Delivers Opportunities to Youth,? produced in > partnership with youth from the Bresee Foundation. This video is an > important new tool for civic leaders and policy makers working to increase > children?s access to and meaningful use of technology. > > This new video lets the youth and adults featured in it speak for themselves > about the difference community technology programs make in their > neighborhoods and schools. They share their own perspectives on how > technology has helped them improve their health, educational achievement, > preparation for the workforce, and civic participation. > > We would appreciate it if you would share this video with your colleagues > and with other organizations through your listservs and Web sites. We?d also > value your suggestions for other ways we can use this new tool to educate > civic leaders and policy makers on ways technology can improve youths? > lives. Please feel free to use this new tool in your public education > efforts as well. > > The video can be viewed at: > http://www.childrenspartnership.org/Video/WhyTechMatters > > > If you have questions about this new resource, please contact Irene > Bobadilla directly at: (310) 260-1220 or email her at: > ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org. > > Sincerely, > Irene > > -- > Irene Bobadilla > Administrative/Program Associate > The Children's Partnership > 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Suite 206 > Santa Monica, CA 90401 > > 310.260.1220 Phone > 310.260.1921 Fax > ibobadilla at childrenspartnership.org > http://www.childrenspartnership.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with > the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From fouadbajwa at gmail.com Wed Aug 15 18:37:56 2007 From: fouadbajwa at gmail.com (Fouad Riaz Bajwa) Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:37:56 +0500 Subject: [DDN] IBM Helps NIIT to Establish Linux Competency Center (in Pakistan) Message-ID: <46c3804f.37e9220a.3811.5a32@mx.google.com> Forwarded for information by Fouad Riaz Bajwa IBM Helps NIIT to Establish Linux Competency Center http://www.ibm.com/news/pk/en/2007/06/news_06Jun2007.html Islamabad, June 6, 2007 - Today, IBM announced the opening of a Linux Competency Center which it has donated to NUST Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) http://www.niit.edu.pk, Rawalpindi. This Linux Competency Center will help customers, students, developers and business partners in Pakistan to experience and test Linux hands-on and to explore the benefits of open standards-based computing. The Teach the Teachers program will span several Universities and teachers will be trained at NIIT. In addition IBM is extending its Scholars Program to offer free software, course material and access to IBM Portals to major Universities in Pakistan. As part of establishing the center, IBM has donated its range of enterprise systems (including pSeries Unix Servers, Intel Processor-based xSeries and BladeCenter servers, TotalStorage), Printers, PCs, CISCO equipment - all of the hardware running on Linux SuSE deployed by IBM Global Technology Services team. IBM will also provide free hardware and software services for the first year. In addition, IBM Middleware software will be used by NIIT in their curriculum for graduate and undergraduate students under IBM Academic Initiative program. "Linux is the Game Changer and IBM believes that open standards and open source technologies are a key driver of collaborative innovation" said Humayun Bashir, Country General Manager, IBM Pakistan. "The open source competency center at NIIT will play a pivotal role in the IT sector of Pakistan by training professionals in exciting open source technologies." said Dr. Arshad Ali, Director General, NIIT. Linux is the fastest growing operating system in the world (CAGR 44% 2003-2008) which runs on a variety of hardware platforms. It is the only operating system with the characteristics of being non proprietary in nature, resulting in flexibility for the technology enabled organization. Linux is about freedom and not free operating system or free application software. Linux's source code is freely distributed and available to the general public without restrictions on use or requiring royalties. It can save organizations significant amount of dollars compared to the use of proprietary, licensed operating systems. Highly regarded for its speed, reliability and security, Linux continues to evolve through contributed efforts from developers worldwide and is being used across all industries. Governments in many countries like Germany, China, India, Korea, Brazil and many others have adopted Linux as the operating system to minimize investment and centralize management. The Government of Pakistan is committing itself to the reduction of piracy and the protection of intellectual property. Linux and open source technology are the corner stone of this initiative. Many multinational companies and leading banks like, SCB, ABL, LMK Resources have already adopted Linux because of its flexibility, openness and availability from a wide variety of sources. IBM is a strong supporter of Linux and has taken various initiatives to promote Linux - Open Source in Pakistan. IBM organized a Linux and Open Source Conference in Karachi in 2005 which received overwhelming response. A similar event was held in 2003 together with TReMU, a former unit of Ministry of IT. IBM held worldwide Linux Challenge in 2002 in which two winners were from Pakistani Universities and were recognized worldwide. IBM has more than 300 software solutions on Linux and is shipping over 350 software products that run on Linux across its IBM DB2, WebSphere, Lotus and Tivoli software families. IBM has worldwide invested $1 billion and continues to invest several hundred million dollars annually to Open Source projects. For more information visit ibm.com/linux From knowprose at gmail.com Thu Aug 16 09:22:03 2007 From: knowprose at gmail.com (Taran Rampersad) Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:22:03 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Clearing In a Virtual World. Message-ID: <46C44F7B.2060404@knowprose.com> For those unfamiliar with clearing, is a process of matching students to undergraduate vacancies in the United Kingdom via UCAS. In an interesting use of technology, UCAS has entered Second Life and is meeting applicants that way as well: http://www.your2ndplace.com/node/421 -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago cnd at knowprose.com http://www.knowprose.com Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowprose/ "Criticize by creating." ? Michelangelo "The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." - Nikola Tesla From scooter.vineburgh at gmail.com Tue Aug 14 10:54:49 2007 From: scooter.vineburgh at gmail.com (scooter vineburgh) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:54:49 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for videos of teachers teaching In-Reply-To: <696811060708140640hd741de6m586a41c38c119144@mail.gmail.com> References: <46BFC32B.5020300@earthlink.net> <44080d180708130644w4a1fd59ai7cb2fe1c3eca617@mail.gmail.com> <46C13188.1040505@earthlink.net> <696811060708140640hd741de6m586a41c38c119144@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <31b8352a0708140754y76358ffjef9dcb2ca1c85fe7@mail.gmail.com> Hi, I have some (potentially) relevant footage scattered throughout th following link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8516977086995495865&hl=en Thanks, On 8/14/07, Barbara Dieu wrote: > Hi Jim, > You may want to have a look at the Annenberg series. > http://www.learner.org/resources/series172.html > Regards from Brazil, > Bee > > > -- > Barbara Dieu > http://dekita.org > http://beewebhead.net > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > -- Scooter Vineburgh From tanaligato at gmail.com Thu Aug 16 16:52:04 2007 From: tanaligato at gmail.com (Tana Ligato) Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:52:04 -0300 Subject: [DDN] Semantic Web free seminar in Buenos Aires In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi everybody! For those living in (or visiting) Buenos Aires, I'd like to invite you to a free seminar that will be held at UTN (Universidad Tecnol?gica Nacional). The seminar is for beginners, but may be useful also for those researching semantic web related fields. It will be held in spanish. Cheers! Tana ----- Colegas y amigos, quiero invitarlos a un seminario sobre Web Sem?ntica que se realizar? el martes que viene a las 19 en el Aula Magna de la UTN FRBA (Universidad Tecnol?gica Nacional), en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. El seminario es gratis y est? abierto al p?blico. Tendremos oportunidad de contar de qu? se trata la web sem?ntica, revisar un poco su arquitectura y, por qu? no, arriesgar ("futurolog?a" mediante) una idea de c?mo ser? internet ma?ana. Los invito a difundir esta propuesta, y los espero! Saludos! Tana ------- Hola a todos: Por medio de este mail los invitamos a participar de un nuevo seminario Athena. El mismo est? titulado *"Web Semantica: Tejiendo una red de significados"*. El d?a es el martes *21 de agosto*, el lugar, el aula magna de Medrano 951, y el horario 19.00 hs. La agenda es la siguiente: 19:00 hs: Presentaci?n. 19:05 hs: Grandes personajes de la historia: Tim Berners-Lee. 19:20 hs: C?mo funciona internet hoy 19:35 hs: Qu? es la web sem?ntica (metadatos, XML, RDF) 20:15 hs: Coffee break. 20:30 hs: Qu? es una ontolog?a y para qu? sirve 20:45 hs: Ejemplos de OWL 20:55 hs: C?mo integramos todo esto: webservices 21:10 hs: C?mo funcionar? internet ma?ana. 21:30 hs: Cierre El seminario estar? a cargo de Giannella Ligato. No es necesaria inscripci?n previa ni conocimientos de alguna tecnolog?a en particular. Se recuerda que el seminario es gratuito. Para m?s informaci?n sobre los seminarios Athena (charlas anteriores,charlas futuras, comentarios, etc) dirigirse a: http://www.seminariosathena.com.ar Saludos, Grupo Seminarios Athena. From olaf.wenzel at skopos.de Mon Aug 20 09:38:48 2007 From: olaf.wenzel at skopos.de (Dr. Olaf Wenzel) Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:38:48 +0200 Subject: [DDN] CfP - General Online Research Conference 2008 in Hamburg, Germany Message-ID: <88C7FB846CD9C341B469CDAF9C0721FB048335@mail.skopos.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------- CALL FOR PAPERS ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10th International GOR Conference GOR 08 GENERAL ONLINE RESEARCH 2008 March, 10-12, 2008 Hamburg University, Germany organized by: German Society for Online Research - DGOF e.V. local organizers: EARSandEYES GmbH, Hamburg (main sponsor) Chair for Marketing and Branding, Hamburg University, Prof. Sattler ------------------------------------------------------------------- Conference topics include theories, methods, and findings pertaining to social and business aspects of the Internet and mobile communication. The aim of the conference is to document the progress of Internet science, innovative developments, and practical experience. Traditionally, GOR conferences have been excellent opportunities for dialogue between: - researchers and users of Internet science - universities and companies - customers and suppliers. ------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Conference Languages: --------------------- English, German ------- Topics: ------- A: The Internet as a Tool for Market, Opinion and Social Research - Method Effects in Online Data Collection - Mobile Data Collection - Statistical Biases in Online Sampling - Best Practice Examples and Case Studies from Market Research - Innovative Data Collection Tools - Online Access Panels - Quality Standards - Data Mining - Online Experiments - New Methods of Qualitative Research - Cultural Effects in Cross-National Studies - Mixed Mode Studies B: Internet Metrics - Indices of the Digital Divide(s) and Digital Inequality - Measurement of Online Social Networks - Use of Logfiles and Databases - Indices of the Information Society - Measurement of Coverage - Diffusion of Visual Online & Mobile Communication C: The Internet in its Context Internet, Mobile Communication, and Civil Society - Online Groups & Online Communities - Social Networks and Relationships Online & Offline - Digital Inequality - E-Democracy - Internet, Social Movements, and Collective Action - Internet & Science Electronic & Mobile Business - E-Business - Evaluation of Web-Sites and E-Commerce - Mobile Commerce - Electronic CRM and its Relation to Online Market Research Internet & Mobile Communication in Everyday Life - Mobile & Online Entertainment - Social and Psychological Effects of Internet Use - E-Health - E- & M-Learning - Web 2.0 - New Forms and Formats: Internet-TV, Blogs, Podcasts, RSS etc. Internet & Mobile Communication in Organizations - Online Employee Surveys - Virtual Teams & Online Communities of Practice - Online Knowledge Exchange and Knowledge Management ----------------------- Types of Contributions: ----------------------- 1.) Paper: Paper presentations of research results include an oral presentation of 20 min duration plus 10 min for discussion. 2.) Poster: Posters will be discussed in designated time slots. 3.) Session: There is the opportunity to propose a group of (3-5) interrelated papers within one session. 4.) Roundtable Report: These 10 min oral presentations without slides are work-in- progress reports. 3-5 interrelated reports will be discussed at one Roundtable. 5.) Workshop: You may propose teaching a 2.5 or 5 hour pre-conference workshop covering key methods of Internet science. ------------------------ Awards and Publications: ------------------------ An independent jury will award a prize for the best poster(s). Total prize money: EUR 500,-. A prize will be awarded for the best paper from market research practice. Selected contributions on Mobile Market Research will be invited for publication in an edited volume. ---------- Workshops: ---------- There will be tutorial workshops covering key methods of Internet science. The workshops will take place on the eve of the GOR (March 10, 2008) and throughout the GOR. Participation in workshops is not free of charge, and the number of participants is limited. Registered visitors of the conference have priority. More information is available at http://www.gor.de. ----------------------- Exhibition Stand Space: ----------------------- Companies will have the opportunity to book exhibition stand space for presentations of products or services. More information is available at office at dgof.de. ------------------------------------- Social Events and Membership Meeting: ------------------------------------- The traditional Early-Bird-Meeting takes place in the evening of March 10, 2008. Visitors and participants will have the opportunity to socialize with colleagues and meet with other researchers. On Tuesday evening (March 11, 2008) there will be a social event with dancing. During the conference there is a meeting of the members of the German Society for Online Research. Members will receive additional information about the meeting at a later date. ---------------------- Submission Guidelines: ---------------------- If you would like to contribute to the conference by presenting a paper, roundtable report, a poster, a complete session, or by teaching a workshop submit an abstract electronically no later than September 30, 2007 at http://www.gor.de Abstracts, which should be in the English language, may be up to 350 words long. An additional German language version is appreciated. To enable a thorough review, abstracts should be informative. Where applicable, include the design, methods, and main results. Authors may present in English or German. At any rate, the slides of the papers need to be in English. Abstracts can only be submitted via the Web-based tool located at the GOR website. All abstracts will be reviewed by an international board. Authors will receive notification of acceptance by December 1, 2007. A preliminary program will be posted by January 1, 2008 at http://www.gor.de Transparencies or slides in English that accompany accepted oral presentations are to be sent by February 17, 2008. --------------------------------- Conference Fees and Registration: --------------------------------- Conference fees include tax, conference materials, two lunches, the evening event, drinks and snacks during breaks. Researchers: 180 Euros First authors: 145 Euros Students: 90 Euros Commercial participants (e.g., company representatives, free-lancers, consultants): 465 Euros Early registrants (i.e., registration by January 15, 2008) get a 15% discount. DGOF members get a 20% discount, which cannot be combined with the early registrants' discount. For participants other than first authors, day tickets are available, as well. Registration for all participants begins December 1, 2007 at http://www.gor.de. First authors must not register later than January 31, 2008. First authors will have to pay full conference fees in advance. -------------------- Important Deadlines: -------------------- 09/30/2007 deadline for abstract submission 12/01/2007 feedback on acceptance / registration begins 01/01/2008 preliminary program available 01/31/2008 deadline for first author registration 02/17/2008 deadline for sending in slides 03/10 - 03/12/2008 conference and workshops -------------------- How to Get in Touch: -------------------- Conference website, abstract submission, workshops: http://www.gor.de Business activities and any further questions: office at dgof.de ----------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************* Dr. Olaf Wenzel Vorsitzender der Deutschen Gesellschaft fr Online-Forschung - D.G.O.F. e.V. c/o SKOPOS Hans-Boeckler-Str. 163 D-50354 Huerth / Koeln Tel: +49 (0) 2233-518300 olaf.wenzel at skopos.de http://www.skopos.de ************************************* From mmaranda at afcn.org Mon Aug 20 11:01:49 2007 From: mmaranda at afcn.org (Michael Maranda) Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:01:49 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Maybe that Emperor is naked? Message-ID: <3feff8d60708200801k2cb6e7cj2e0865b32b417a1d@mail.gmail.com> An excellent blog entry by Josh Breitbart, a great warning to all fighting for appropriate use of technology and deployment of networks in their communities... http://breitbart.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/no-invisible-thread/ Full blog entry follows (without links).... Horizontal vs. Hub-and-Spoke Relations, or The Emperor has no Invisible Thread August 20, 2007 Michael Maranda posted a comment recently to my testimony before the New York City Broadband Advisory Committee. He asked me to expand on one of my recommendations: * Promote horizontal relationships among stakeholders rather than hub-and-spoke relationships that all connect to this committee or to any one person or organization. The original promise in Philadelphia was to tie the city together with "invisible thread." That's what Dianah Neff told National Geographic. It hasn't happened. In planning the network and passing it through City Council, Wireless Philadelphia solicited input and testimony from a variety of nonprofit organizations. All of those organizations care about the issue of Internet usage and all work with overlapping constituencies. Yet Wireless Philadelphia did not take any steps to foster relationships among them that would encourage synergistic collaborations. Instead, WP is forming "Wireless Internet Partnerships" or WIPs, a series of one-one-one relationships between Wireless Philadelphia and individual organizations. I am not aware of any plans to connect these WIPs to each other so the groups can form their own partnerships. At best, maybe we'll see a WIP cocktail hour. Ideally, the horizontal relationships would extend beyond the organizational level. I'd like to see local conventions where all of the users of the network could gather, and the people who make up these nonprofits' constituencies could get to know each other. I think these municipal wireless projects will benefit by emphasizing their local-ness and I think the users/local residents will benefit from having stronger social bonds. Unfortunately, I don't think Wireless Philadelphia or Earthlink want their customers to have the capacity for collective action or self-management. Not surprising for a for-profit company with meager customer service. But the nonprofit should be trying to build community, not disempower users. The problem for Wireless Philadelphia is that the only reason for them to exist is to mediate the relationships between the City and Earthlink, Earthlink and the poor residents of Philadelphia, and the WIPs and Earthlink. If all of those entities could relate directly to each other, they'd quickly realize there is no reason for WP to exist. I think the system in Minneapolis, where the Minneapolis Digital Inclusion Fund Advisory Committee has just released it's RFP, is better, but not perfect. There, the people that pushed for digital inclusion funding organized themselves, though the efforts were soon co-opted into an official "Task Force." The result is a community-advised fund at the Minneapolis Foundation, funded primarily through a revenue-sharing agreement with US Internet, the local network operator. The participants in that Advisory Committee have horizontal relationships with each other instead of all having separate relationships with a new nonprofit, as in Philadelphia. However, I can't find any list of the members of the committee online (though I know Peter Fleck is one because he's blogged about it). That makes me concerned that those relationships won't grow beyond the Committee's boundaries. If they want to push that network further, they are going to be swimming upstream. The process of soliciting grant applications from 501(c)3 organizations is notorious for pitting groups against one another and creating secretive one-to-one relationships between applicants and funders. Minneapolis Digital Inclusion Advisory Committee should consider setting up something like GiveMeaning.com ? not to let people vote for recipients of the Committee's funds, but to promote awareness of the broad variety of initiatives people in the city are doing and to give those initiatives an avenue to raise additional funds. From Felicia_Sullivan at uml.edu Tue Aug 21 15:40:12 2007 From: Felicia_Sullivan at uml.edu (Sullivan, Felicia) Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:40:12 -0400 Subject: [DDN] OC Hiring: Database Support Consultant References: Message-ID: Folks, Organizers' Collaborative is looking for a database consultant to work with its Organizers Database project (ODB) in a support capacity. If you have demonstrated experience with CRM / membership software programs in a nonprofit setting and possess excellent customer-oriented communications skills, you may just be the person we are looking for. This is the perfect opportunity for someone in the Boston or Eastern Massachusetts area who is comfortable with computers and spreadsheets and wants to learn all the ODB features inside out (download our free software to find out more: http://organizersdb.org/download). Eight hours of free training will be provided at OC's Beacon Hill office. It is possible, but unlikely, that we could hire someone who is not in Eastern, MA.. Dowload the job description here: http://organizerscollaborative.org/files/2007job-ODB.pdf. - Felicia +++++++++++++++++++++++ Felicia M. Sullivan Program Manager for New Media Broadcast & Student Media Office Smith Hall - B1 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA 01854 felicia_sullivan at uml.edu 978-934-4739(voice) From cnd at knowprose.com Tue Aug 21 16:43:04 2007 From: cnd at knowprose.com (Taran Rampersad) Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:43:04 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Steel band in Second Life Message-ID: <46CB4E58.8070205@knowprose.com> It was interesting for me to see Steel Band drums in Second Life. It is a demonstration of culture and ICT, but it also highlights another aspect of the digital divide which can be too often forgotten - accessibility for culturally related things. In this example, Trinidad and Tobago has issues with PayPal, with bandwidth... andbecause of this, the average 'pan man' from T&T would be a novelty in Second Life. Food for thought in matters of culture, ICT, as well as the impacts of technology on culture. You can read about my search here: http://www.your2ndplace.com/node/452 Interesting things to consider. It isn't just a game, but... -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago cnd at knowprose.com http://www.knowprose.com 'Making Your Mark in Second Life: Business, Land, and Money' http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596514174/ Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowprose/ "Criticize by creating." ? Michelangelo "The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." - Nikola Tesla From stevenwag2002 at yahoo.com Mon Aug 20 09:38:10 2007 From: stevenwag2002 at yahoo.com (Steven Wagenseil) Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:38:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] Proposal to bring $100 laptop to Solomon Islands In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <536526.85527.qm@web31804.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I saw this article in a news feed I get about the Solomon islands (where I worked for two months last year) and thought it might be of interest to others here. I certainly agree that Solomon Islands is a perfect place for such an innovation, provided they can develop a strong-enough delivery system to children on 900-plus islands scattered across 1,500 km of ocean. It's interesting to see how New Zealand is taking a lead in this initiative. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "MIT's "$100 laptops" to go to Pacific islands" A local not-for-profit, to be called OLPC Oceania, is planned but is yet to be formally constituted http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news E863C047F225298FCC257339007321B6 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Regards, Steve ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/ From ed at us.iearn.org Tue Aug 21 19:33:28 2007 From: ed at us.iearn.org (Ed Gragert) Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:33:28 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for a IT Programming/Systems Manager In-Reply-To: Message-ID: iEARN-USA is the national member of iEARN (International Education and Resource Network), the leading non-profit global educational network (115 + countries) supporting educators and students to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on educational projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world. iEARN-USA: http://us.iearn.org. iEARN: http://www.iearn.org iEARN-USA is seeking a full-time IT Programming/Systems Manager who wants to be a part of a global team committed to building a more peaceful and just world and who would like to play a key role in enabling young people worldwide to engage in collaborative projects using various connective technologies. We are particularly interested in persons wanting to find creative ways to bring Web2-type tools to a world of schools that are dial-up. Start Date: Immediately Technical Skills: Programming: Ability to code in and troubleshoot PHP scripts required. Knowledge of Drupal, Moodle & Gallery2 preferred; Strong understanding of script APIs; Knowledge of xHTML; Knowledge of CSS/Javascipt preferred; Knowledge of OpenLDAP, troubleshooting and configuration; Ability to author AppleScripts and shell scripts; Ability to author SQL queries. Filemaker knowledgepreferred: FileMaker administration, knowledge of FileMaker database design concepts; Knowledge of FileMaker layout Design; Ability to author FileMaker ScriptMaker scripts; Knowledge of FXphp and PHP coding . Linux OS systems administration: Basic Linux OS systems administration and troubleshooting; Ability to administer linux sever via cpanel; Email administration; MySql Database administration and troubleshooting; Monitoring and troubleshooting server processes. Mac OS X (10.4+) Systems Administration: Mac OS X client/server system maintenance including cloning, software upgrades, and software/hardware troubleshooting; Mac OS X User management using workgroup manager; Router configuration, and network troubleshooting. Printer/Fax/Copier troubleshooting and administration. Candidate should have strong project management skills. Responsibilities: - Support the development, design and documentation of iEARN's various project tools and websites, including www.iearn.org, media.iearn.org, courses.iearn.org, pearl.iearn.org, and www.us.iearn.org - Explore and recommend new technology tools that enhance collaboration and exhibition of student project work - Assist with support and training of iEARN staff and participants in use of online collaboration tools. - Work with iEARN teams internationally on the maintenance of iEARN's global technology infrastructure. - Assume general staff responsibilities, such as shared facilitation of staff meetings, technology maintenance, etc. Compensation: Commensurate with experience Will report to: Executive Director Benefits: iEARN-USA will pay for: - Employer's portion of FICA and Medicaid payments - Four weeks of vacation following three month review - Medical health and dental insurance for employee, with family members able to participate in policies at personal expense Work location: 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 450 New York, NY 10115, USA (Near Columbia University) Interested candidates should send letter, resume, and examples of prior work/inks to: iEARN-USA: iearn at us.iearn.org. From jc at coyotecommunications.com Wed Aug 22 05:55:01 2007 From: jc at coyotecommunications.com (J Cravens) Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:55:01 +0100 Subject: [DDN] Proposal to bring $100 laptop to Solomon Islands In-Reply-To: <536526.85527.qm@web31804.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <536526.85527.qm@web31804.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: >I saw this article in a news feed I get about the >Solomon islands (where I worked for two months last >year) and thought it might be of interest to others This reminds me to remind you, the DDN community, that your posts about your experiences in the developing world, whether through a nonprofit, an international aid agency or a private sector organization, would be welcomed at http://www.aidworkers.net I think many people would benefit from seing more on the network from people who have worked in the developing world regarding the digital divide and/or ICT4D. -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Ms. Jayne Cravens MSc Bonn, Germany Kabul, Afghanistan (March - August 2007) www.coyotecommunications.com www.ivisit.com id: jcravens.4947 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> From jsalmons at vision2lead.com Tue Aug 21 21:55:29 2007 From: jsalmons at vision2lead.com (Janet Salmons) Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:55:29 -0600 Subject: [DDN] Reminder: Interdisciplinary webinar 8-23 at 11 am EST Message-ID: <001901c7e45f$8476c230$8d644690$@com> Crossing a Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across Disciplines Janet Salmons, PhD and Lynn Wilson, PhD are offering a webinar: Crossing a Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across Disciplines on August 23 at 11am-1pm EST, on Trainerspod. What happens when partnerships, teams and projects require us to work with people who come from disciplines different from our own? How can we make it a success? This interactive webinar will provide an opportunity to explore interdisciplinarity in theory and practice. We will draw from a wealth of scholarly and practical experience. We both have PhDs in interdisciplinary studies and work in and across disciplines including education and training, business and leadership, the arts, environmental science, government and the social sector. We will discuss our current inter-disciplinary project as editors of the forthcoming book, A Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration and Organizational Synergy http://www.vision2lead.com/html/esynergy.html). Please see information on the website: http://www.trainerspod.com/info/. The webinar is free but registration is necessary. Register here: http://www.trainerspod.com/register. Come and join in the conversation! Pass the word to anyone who might be interested in this live (and lively) discussion! All the best, Janet and Lynn Mark your calendar for our future webinars on Trainerspod: . September 20: Conflict in Collaboration: From Getting Along to Getting things Accomplished, with Janet Salmons, Ph.D. and Lynn Wilson, Ph.D. . October 11: How did WE work? Assessing Collaborative Projects in the Classroom or the Workplace with Janet Salmons, Ph.D. . November 1: Virtual collaboration: A Success Strategy for Building Capacity in Rwanda, with Rubye Braye, Ph.D. Janet Salmons Ph.D. VISION2LEAD, INC. Site- http://www.vision2lead.com Blog for educators- http://blog.elearn2lead.com Blog for learners- http://belearner.elearn2lead.com Blog for Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration: http://synergy.elearn2lead.com/ PO Box 943 Boulder, CO 80306-0943 From dave at ctcnetchicago.org Wed Aug 22 16:49:20 2007 From: dave at ctcnetchicago.org (Dave Chakrabarti) Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:49:20 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Google could love you: free SEO from Grassroots.org Message-ID: <0877F0C4-C260-4E91-BD3B-EC87C9CBDE53@ctcnetchicago.org> Greetings DDNers, Grassroots.org has been testing and fine-tuning a new program for nonprofits over the past couple of months. We're now offering free telephone consulting sessions on search engine optimization for nonprofits, along with a guide covering the fundamentals of nonprofit SEO at seo.grassroots.org . We've even got a forum for your SEO questions, answered by our team of SEO experts. The idea: There are over 625 million searches every day on search engines such as Google, MSN, or Yahoo. For an increasing number of people, a search engine is how they find information online, ranging from weather forecasts to news. The corporate world has known for years that high visibility in search engine listings is necessary for success, even for non-internet businesses. The same is even more true for nonprofits, many of which are desperately in need of new ways to reach potential constituents, donors, and partners online. When someone does a search for "Chicago computer training" ...do they find the nonprofit CTCs doing incredible work here, or do they find only for-profit businesses? Why is that, and how do we address it? What does this mean for someone who is looking for a CTC to make a donation to, or an individual looking for a free or low-cost training site? I suggest that website visibility in search engine results is a determining factor in the success or failure of nonprofit web development. I'd love feedback on the project, and on the idea in general. And, for all those working in the nonprofit sector (especially NTAPs!), I'd encourage you to check out the site and schedule a consultation. Thanks, Dave. ------------------------ Dave Chakrabarti Director of Programs Grassroots.org From descasa at internet-mail.org Thu Aug 23 02:49:09 2007 From: descasa at internet-mail.org (Daniel O. Escasa) Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:49:09 +0800 Subject: [DDN] Linux.com's portrait of Phil Shapiro Message-ID: <1187851749.18759.1206848407@webmail.messagingengine.com> http://www.linux.com/feature/118670 -- Daniel O. Escasa descasa at internet-mail.org contributor, Free Software Magazine (http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com) personal blog at http://descasa.i.ph -- http://www.fastmail.fm - Does exactly what it says on the tin From morgan at memeshift.com Fri Aug 24 12:40:22 2007 From: morgan at memeshift.com (Morgan Sully) Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:40:22 -0700 Subject: [DDN] Reminder: Interdisciplinary webinar 8-23 at 11 am EST In-Reply-To: <001901c7e45f$8476c230$8d644690$@com> Message-ID: Hey DDNers, I wasn't able to make this webinar, but did remember watching this great TED talk on interdisciplinary design between the worlds of biology and industrial design. There are some BRILLIANT ideas Janine Benyus speaks about: "With 3.8 billion years of research and development on its side, nature has already solved problems that human designers and engineers still struggle with. In this inspiring talk, Janine Benyus provides fascinating examples of biomimicry -- the way humans mimic nature in the products we build and the systems we implement. And because the champion adapters in the natural world are, by definition, those that can survive without destroying the environment that sustains them, biomimicry can contribute to the long-term health of our planet." http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/18 She covers some great examples of interdisciplinary collaboration both in theory and in practice. Included at the end of her talk are some projections for the field of biomimicry. m On 8/21/07 6:55 PM, "Janet Salmons" wrote: > Crossing a Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across > Disciplines > > > > Janet Salmons, PhD and Lynn Wilson, PhD are offering a webinar: Crossing a > Line: An Interdisciplinary Conversation about Working Across Disciplines on > August 23 at 11am-1pm EST, on Trainerspod. > > > > What happens when partnerships, teams and projects require us to work with > people who come from disciplines different from our own? How can we make it > a success? This interactive webinar will provide an opportunity to explore > interdisciplinarity in theory and practice. > > > > We will draw from a wealth of scholarly and practical experience. We both > have PhDs in interdisciplinary studies and work in and across disciplines > including education and training, business and leadership, the arts, > environmental science, government and the social sector. We will discuss our > current inter-disciplinary project as editors of the forthcoming book, A > Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration and Organizational Synergy > http://www.vision2lead.com/html/esynergy.html). > > > > Please see information on the website: http://www.trainerspod.com/info/. The > webinar is free but registration is necessary. Register here: > http://www.trainerspod.com/register. > > > > Come and join in the conversation! Pass the word to anyone who might be > interested in this live (and lively) discussion! > > > > All the best, > > Janet and Lynn > > > > Mark your calendar for our future webinars on Trainerspod: > > . September 20: Conflict in Collaboration: From Getting Along to > Getting things Accomplished, with Janet Salmons, Ph.D. and Lynn Wilson, > Ph.D. > > . October 11: How did WE work? Assessing Collaborative Projects in > the Classroom or the Workplace with Janet Salmons, Ph.D. > > . November 1: Virtual collaboration: A Success Strategy for > Building Capacity in Rwanda, with Rubye Braye, Ph.D. > > > > > > > > Janet Salmons Ph.D. > > VISION2LEAD, INC. > Site- http://www.vision2lead.com > > Blog for educators- > http://blog.elearn2lead.com > > Blog for learners- > http://belearner.elearn2lead.com > > Blog for Handbook of Research on Electronic Collaboration: > http://synergy.elearn2lead.com/ > PO Box 943 > Boulder, CO 80306-0943 > > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.org with > the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. -- Morgan Sully Online Community Organizing New Media Strategies Electronic Music www.memeshift.com Add me on linked in: http://www.linkedin.com/in/morgansully From roopdave at yahoo.com Wed Aug 22 21:22:34 2007 From: roopdave at yahoo.com (roop dave) Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:22:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] Website for Heads of Information Technology Departments in the State Governments (India) In-Reply-To: <88C7FB846CD9C341B469CDAF9C0721FB048335@mail.skopos.de> Message-ID: <909746.16198.qm@web53407.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Dear All, I owe to the Governments ? where I acquired all my skills and experience during 28 years of association & decided to pay back through a unique website designed for ?Decision makers in Information Technology Departments (most of the time non-technical!). I continue to be advisor to various states in India on their eGov ICT infrastructure projects and I understand their need at this point of time when every state is under process of State Wide Area Network and Data Center implementation. The URL of my site is www.AdvisorICT.com. I will be grateful for any suggestion to make the site more effective. Thanks R K Dave, SMIEEE, B.E(EC)., M.B.A.,M.S.H.S.(USA) Ex-OSD(IT) Government of India / GoG Adviser / External Network Expert SWAN - Government of karnataka / Government of Himachal email: roopdave at yahoo.com rkdave at ieee.org Mobile (India) # 9825060164 Mobile (USA) # 815-603-2476 --------------------------------- Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. From jc at coyotecommunications.com Mon Aug 27 10:40:03 2007 From: jc at coyotecommunications.com (J Cravens) Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:40:03 +0200 Subject: [DDN] overview of computer refurbishing efforts Message-ID: ICT Update, an ICT4D bulletin published by ACP Agriculture being also a Cooperating Organization of the ICT4D dgCommunity, has recently published a special issue on Refurbished Computers. Introduction: Specialist charities and businesses, and increasingly computer manufacturers, are taking old computers and shipping them out to organizations in developing countries whose budgets do not stretch to the latest models. Some, such as Computer Aid, collect donated computers, refurbish them, and then ship them directly to their partners. Others, such as Computers for Schools Kenya or SchoolNet Namibia, buy old PCs and refurbish them, and then pass them on to schools and colleges where they can last another three or four years. http://ictupdate.cta.int/ -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Ms. Jayne Cravens MSc Bonn, Germany Kabul, Afghanistan (March - August 2007) www.coyotecommunications.com www.ivisit.com id: jcravens.4947 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> From som.abcnews at gmail.com Sat Aug 25 02:37:01 2007 From: som.abcnews at gmail.com (som patidar) Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 12:07:01 +0530 Subject: [DDN] Website for Heads of Information Technology Departments in the State Governments (India) In-Reply-To: <909746.16198.qm@web53407.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <88C7FB846CD9C341B469CDAF9C0721FB048335@mail.skopos.de> <909746.16198.qm@web53407.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Thanks Roop Ji for developing such wonderful website. I do agree that most of heads of IT departments are non-technical therefore your effords will be definetely worthy for all of them. Regards Som Patidar On 8/23/07, roop dave wrote: > > > Dear All, > > > I owe to the Governments ? where I acquired all my skills and experience > during 28 years of association & decided to pay back through a unique > website designed for "Decision makers in Information Technology Departments > (most of the time non-technical!). > > I continue to be advisor to various states in India on their eGov ICT > infrastructure projects and I understand their need at this point of time > when every state is under process of State Wide Area Network and Data Center > implementation. > > The URL of my site is www.AdvisorICT.com. > > I will be grateful for any suggestion to make the site more effective. > > Thanks > > > > R K Dave, SMIEEE, B.E(EC)., M.B.A.,M.S.H.S.(USA) > Ex-OSD(IT) Government of India / GoG > Adviser / External Network Expert SWAN - Government of karnataka / > Government of Himachal > email: roopdave at yahoo.com rkdave at ieee.org > Mobile (India) # 9825060164 > Mobile (USA) # 815-603-2476 > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! > TV. > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at mailman.edc.orgwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > From chris at canavents.com Wed Aug 29 06:52:32 2007 From: chris at canavents.com (Chris Boisvert) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:52:32 -0400 Subject: [DDN] 2008 Call for Papers Message-ID: <001f01c7ea2a$b48109b0$0901a8c0@chris> The International Telecommunications Society is pleased to announce the release of the 2008 Call for Papers for the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society The ITS 2008 is being held in Montreal Quebec (CANADA) June 24th - 27th, 2008 To view the Call for Papers and for direct online submissions visit: www.its2008montreal.org For any other inquiries please feel free to contact us at: ITS2008 at canavents.com All submissions are due no later than October 31st, 2007! From mary_watkins at wgbh.org Tue Aug 28 12:35:34 2007 From: mary_watkins at wgbh.org (Mary Watkins) Date: 28 Aug 2007 12:35:34 -0400 Subject: [DDN] WGBH Receives Grant to Develop Captions for Mobile Media Message-ID: <1123665685mary_watkins@wgbh.org> August 28, 2007 Press Contacts: Jennifer Logue 617.300.5465 voice jennifer_logue at wgbh.org Mary Watkins 617.300.3700 voice 617.300-2489 TTY mary_watkins at wgbh.org WGBH Receives $600,000 Grant to Develop Solutions for Captioning Handheld Media for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Citizens WGBH has received a $600,000 grant from the Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (http://www.ed.gov), to support its groundbreaking efforts to make handheld media accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, President Henry Becton Jr. announced today. Titled "Captioning Solutions for Handheld Media and Mobile Devices" (award number H133G070122), the grant provides WGBH's Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) with $600,000 over three years to research and develop technical solutions for delivering captioned content to iPods, cell phones, PDAs and other mobile devices. "From TV programs to school science experiments to corporate training presentations, more and more video content is being delivered through handheld media," said Larry Goldberg, Director of Media Access for WGBH. "Yet the 28 million Americans who are deaf and hard of hearing can't fully benefit from this content because it lacks captions." Currently, Goldberg said, none of the existing technologies for producing and distributing content via mobile devices possesses the technical requirements needed to transmit captions. In addition, the few video-enabled handheld devices that have the technical capability to receive captioned content don't offer any controls that would enable deaf or hard of hearing users to access those captions. Through the grant, WGBH will research ways of embedding captioning solutions within handheld devices and develop prototypes that will serve as proof-of-concept models for the mobile technology industry and public policymakers. WGBH also will explore and develop strategies for captioning media that is streamed directly to mobile devices via wireless networks, multi-channel DTV distribution or downloaded to desktop computers and then transferred to mobile devices. Technology partners that will provide development platforms for WGBH's research include AOL?, Hewlett-Packard Company, the Open Media Network and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Content partners MacNeil/Lehrer Productions (producer of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer) and Hewlett-Packard, meanwhile, will join WGBH in providing a range of video content to be viewed on project prototypes during user testing by people who are deaf or hard of hearing. WGBH made history in the 1970s when it invented captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing TV viewers. It later pioneered Descriptive Video Service? (DVS?)?which provides blind and visually impaired viewers with an audio narration of a program's visual elements?before developing MoPix?, its patented system that provides captions and descriptive video for feature films. More than 300 theaters in the U.S. and Canada now offer the MoPix technology, enabling patrons with disabilities to enjoy first-run feature films at the same time as their sighted and/or hearing family and friends. This year, WGBH marked the 35th anniversary of the first-ever captioned television broadcast: an episode of WGBH's beloved cooking series, The French Chef with Julia Child. "As content continues to migrate from TV to the Web and now to mobile devices," Goldberg said, "it's gratifying for WGBH to receive funding that will support our continuing efforts to make all media accessible to people with disabilities." About WGBH WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster, producing such celebrated national PBS series as Masterpiece Theatre, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience and more than a dozen other award-winning primetime, lifestyle and children's series. WGBH is the leading producer of online content for pbs.org?one of the most-visited dot-org sites on the Internet?a major producer for public radio and a pioneer in developing educational multimedia and new technologies that make media accessible for people with disabilities. For its efforts, WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors, including Oscars, Emmys, Peabodys and duPont-Columbia Journalism Awards. Visit WGBH on the Web at www.wgbh.org. ### From nath at southcentre.org Wed Aug 29 07:25:20 2007 From: nath at southcentre.org (nath at southcentre.org) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:25:20 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Launch of Digital TV Series by South Centre on Trade, Access to Knowledge and Intellectual Property Message-ID: Dear All, South Centre is an "Inter-Governmental Organization and Think-Tank" of developing countries based in Geneva, Switzerland. The 3 key areas where South Centre has developed substantial knowledge base are: Trade for Development; Innovation, Access to Knowledge and Intellectual Property;and Global Governance for Development.Through these programmes, South Centre keeps track of emerging policy issues and debates of relevant to the South and generates ideas and action-oriented proposals for consideration by the collectivity of South governments, institutions and community at large. See http://www.SouthCentre.org To ensure that messages produced by South Centre reach the widest possible audience in South and North, South Centre has launched the "South Centre Digital TV Series" and "South Centre Blog" using freely available Web 2.0 / ICT tools and application, namely BlipTv and Blogger You may watch the following 2 commentaries on the South Centre Digital TV 1. Watch the Video: Demystifying Explosion in Patenting Growth Rate http://southcentrenet.blogspot.com/2007/08/demystifying-explosion-in-patenting.html Dr. Xuan Li, Lead Economist and Acting Coordinator of Innovations and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP), South Centre comments on the 2007 WIPO Patent released in August 2007 which highlights the changing geography of innovation with highest patenting growth rates in North East Asia, with an emphasis on sharp rise in patent filings in China. In this video commentary, Dr. Li cautions that it may be too early to draw a definite conclusion on the changing geography of innovation since the link between sharp rise in patent filings and innovations capacity may not be so straightforward. 2. Watch the Video: Possible Scenarios in the Doha Round http://southcentrenet.blogspot.com/2007/07/commentary-scenarios-in-doha-round.html Luisa Bernal, Head of Trade for Development Programme, South Centre provides an analyis of the various possible scenarios of the WTO Doha Round as it may unfold in September 2007. To stay updated on more such commentaries, you may stay connected via: http://www.southcentre.org/elists/eform.html Best regards, Vikas Nath --- Head - Media and Communications South Centre (an Inter-Governmental Organization and Thinktank) 17-19 chemin du Champ d'Anier 1209 Petit Saconnex, Geneva Switzerland Email: nath at southcentre.org Phone: +41 22 791 8050 / 47 (direct) Website: http://www.SouthCentre.org Blog: http://southcentrenet.blogspot.com DigitalTV: http://southcentre.blip.tv From vignesh at csdms.in Wed Aug 29 03:14:18 2007 From: vignesh at csdms.in (Vignesh) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:44:18 +0530 Subject: [DDN] Weekly highlights from telecentre.org Message-ID: <029701c7ea0c$440d7bf0$636464c8@Vignesh> Hi Everyone, Here is some of the latest highlights from telecentre.org * Strengthening Community Learning Centres through Linkages and Networks: A Synthesis of Six Country Reports * Village BPO Company services India's second largest bank! * International Fellows of the Jamshetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) * RITA offers new computers to Nyamata Teleservice centre * Reliance Money forays into Emerging Rural India to Sell Financial Products through 10000 Franchisees * Breaking the planners' cord - The Network Birth * Comprehensive Report on the Rwanda Study Tour * Telecentres get Internet * Weekly news roundup - Asia * Weekly news roundup August 23 * Strengthening Community Learning Centres through Linkages and Networks: A Synthesis of Six Country Reports >From the Preface" "This report examines the experiences of some CLCs with such linkages and networks. It is based on six country reports from Japan, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These country reports, though quite different in scope, nevertheless have several common elements and a common methodology. The first part of this study identifies both the common features and the distinctive characteristics of CLCs that are identified in the country reports. Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/40436 * Village BPO Company services India's second largest bank! In an innovative initiative, Sai Seva Business Solutions, Puttaparthi, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and not too far from the IT city of Bangalore, India provides high quality back-office solutions at much lower costs from a rural set up. The firm was established in May 2006, by four friends with marketing and business management experience, with the notion of tapping the potential of 8 million educated unemployed rural youth in the country. Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/39780 * International Fellows of the Jamshetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) telecentre.org supported the travel and stay of 25 international telecentre champions, who were conferred the honour of NVA fellowship on the occasion of the 5th convocation of Jamshetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA). Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/40176 * RITA offers new computers to Nyamata Teleservice centre The deputy Executive Director of Rwanda Information and Technology Agency (RITA), Mr. Patrick Nyirishema said, "RITA will offer the replacement of the old computers at the centre. He also promised to use the centre for future RITA training programs to ensure that the centre becomes even more sustainable". Representing the executive director at official opening of the New centre's home, Patrick was responding to the challenges noted by the telecentre Manager. Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/40005 * Reliance Money forays into Emerging Rural India to Sell Financial Products through 10000 Franchisees Reliance Money, the financial products distribution company of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group in India, has entered the Indian rural heartland to sell everything from insurance - on tractors, crops, cattle and life - to mutual funds through rural youth. According to Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Money, "Much of the prosperity that has come into the country has bypassed rural India, and this is largely because nobody has ever made it possible for the rural population to access these products." Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/39781 * Breaking the planners' cord - The Network Birth The long awaited "Tanzania Telecentre Network" will launch soon in a 2-day national gathering that will take place between 10th and 11th September in Tanzania's Mwanza province. The event that is open to telecentre practitioners and support organizations is expected to have over 35 participants. The launch of this network will bring to life the recommendations of the 1st East African Telecentre Leaders Forum - EATLF of May 2006 in Kampala. The launch gathering is part of the resolutions reached at between the Executive director of UgaBYTES. Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/39765 * Comprehensive Report on the Rwanda Study Tour Here you find a comprehensive report on the Rwanda telecentre leaders' India Study Tour. Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/39716 * Weekly news roundup - Asia Free Internet access to visually impaired Rural graduates to be trained for ITES jobs Happy Village Centre' scheme launched in Andhra Pradesh, India Intel Foundation, DEF partners to educate and empower rural women Myanmar government plans to implement cyber village project Read a summary of ICT4D news from Asia here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/40276 * Weekly news roundup August 23 Africa 4th in Broadband Penetration - Study Shows Read the details here http://community.telecentre.org/en-tc/node/40198 P.S. SHARE YOUR DOMAIN EXPERIENCE AT www.community.telecentre.org With Regards, Vignesh S Community Content Facilitator - Asia telecentre.org (www.telecentre.org) ----------------------------------------------------------- Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS), G-4 Sector 39, NOIDA 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India Tel: +91 120 2502180 to 87, Fax: + 91 120 2500060, Mobile: +91 99996 54458 e-Mail: vignesh at csdms.in Skype id: vigneshjnu Web: www.i4donline.net www.digitallearning.in www.egovonline.net www.ehealthonline.org From ktsikalas at cfy.org Wed Aug 29 16:55:03 2007 From: ktsikalas at cfy.org (Kallen Tsikalas) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:55:03 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Job Posting: Director of PD and Student Software Initiatives @ CFY (NYC) In-Reply-To: <2C441E09092BF049B49DEEFEAE3780831F0501@cfysrv1.ComputersforYouth.local> Message-ID: <2C441E09092BF049B49DEEFEAE3780831F0528@cfysrv1.ComputersforYouth.local> Dear Colleagues... As part of our growth and expansion processes and our commitment to provide the highest quality experience to our families, Computers for Youth (CFY) is hiring a *Director of Professional Development and Student Software Initiatives*. This exciting, entrepreneurial position will definitely be a lot of fun for the right person. :) Please take a look at the job description and distribute it widely to people you think might be qualified! Applicants should follow the directions *exactly* as indicated in the description below. While we are accepting applications on a rolling basis, we do hope to hire for the position by mid-September. Warmly, --Kallen Tsikalas :) Director of Research & Learning Services, Computers for Youth (ktsikalas at cfy.org) JOB ANNOUNCEMENT ================================================================= Position: Director of Professional Development and Student Software Initiative Location: CFY's New York City Office -- New York, NY ABOUT COMPUTERS FOR YOUTH Computers for Youth (CFY), a national non-profit organization, is the leader in improving the home learning environment for low-income middle school children. We select public schools with high poverty statistics and then offer all the sixth graders and their parents a free computer-based home learning center, which they are taught to use at our Saturday Family Learning Workshops before taking it home. Our home learning centers come with Internet access, award-winning educational software and tailored web content. Our supplementary programs increase parental involvement in their children's education and train teachers to strengthen the home-school connection. CFY is one of the largest non-profits of its kind; with operations in three cities and over 10,000 families served since operations began in 1999. CFY's expansion objectives are ambitious: by 2010 our goal is to operate in five cities, serving almost 10,000 students annually, and to support affiliates in each of the 50 U.S. states. CFY has begun drawing upon its programmatic experience and research findings to influence policy at the local and national level. For more information, please visit www.cfy.org. NYC - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOFTWARE OBJECTIVES CFY is beginning to build its capacity to provide professional development to teachers in New York City. As a new vendor to the NYC Department of Education, we have been approved to offer courses in the following areas: 1) Supporting Families as Learning Partners; 2) Interactive Homework; 3) Developing Self-Directed Learners; and 4) Family Technology Nights. All of these courses make extensive use of home computing resources in supporting students' learning. Our goal is to help schools actively support and engage parents and families as active learning partners. The Student Software Specialist program was launched two years ago (in FY05-06) to test software for CFY's annual Family Learning Software Award and inclusion on CFY's home learning centers. The team members --15-20 middle school students from CFY's NYC partner schools -- are trained to be media emissaries for CFY, to test software products and to present software to educational technology executives and to other influential adults. The team experience introduces students to peers from different neighborhoods, and it builds their skills in teamwork, communication, media literacy, and computers. CFY is now expanding this program to test and develop software with key companies in the software and publishing sectors. POSITION DESCRIPTION The Director of Professional Development and Student Software Initiatives is a new and highly entrepreneurial position. S/he will be responsible for building and directing two distinct programs for which CFY has already laid the groundwork. Key responsibilities include day-to-day operations; recruitment and hiring; and program quality and oversight. This position will report to the Executive Director of CFY-NYC and work closely with CFY's National Director of Research and Learning Services. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (1) Student Software Specialist Program: --> In concert with CFY's overall strategy, set the goals and key milestones for CFY's Student Software Specialist Program. --> Recruit student team members and schedule team meetings. (The team has historically met on Saturdays twice a month from November - May, and weekly during the months of January and February.) --> Train students to evaluate software (based on appeal, usability, and comprehensibility) and to make public presentations using existing CFY curricula. --> Identify and recruit guest speakers and presenters (volunteers); and organize relevant field trips for students. --> Further develop/improve the Student Software Specialist Team curriculum and outreach opportunities in conjunction with CFY's Department of Research and Learning Services. --> Manage CFY's annual Education Executives Day -- a full-day event where students demonstrate software to education executives from some of the most prominent school districts across the country. --> Identify and develop opportunities for students to present software at non-CFY events, such as citywide or regional educational conferences. --> Work with CFY's Research Department to (1) identify high-quality educational software to be placed on CFY's home learning centers; (2) solicit nominations for CFY's Annual Family Learning Software Award; and (3) manage CFY's Software Experts Panel. --> Develop strong relationships with software publishing partners in conjunction with CFY's Development Department and CFY's Department of Research and Learning Services. --> Supervise program assistants (college and high school interns). --> Work with CFY's Research Department to evaluate the success of the program. (2) Teacher and Family Professional Development Program --> In concert with CFY's overall strategy, set the goals and key milestones for CFY's Teacher and Family Professional Development Program. --> Develop and refine existing professional development courses with the help of CFY's National Program Director and National Research Director. This involves identifying new technologies that support learning in the home and utilizing relevant research findings on effective training methods for diverse populations. --> Assist CFY's Program Director in marketing courses to CFY partner schools in NYC and design and implement strategy for marketing courses for non-CFY partner schools. --> Serve as an instructor for CFY courses. --> Recruit, hire and supervise other CFY instructors. --> Develop and utilize tools to track program performance and/or promote community. --> Document qualitative and quantitative program features. --> Work with CFY's Research Department to evaluate the success of the program. NOTE: This position requires occasional work on Saturdays (up to about 15 Saturdays per year). QUALIFICATIONS - BA or BS - Proficiency with computers, MS Office products and web technologies - At least 5 years experience working with students and teachers (work with middle school students is a plus) - Formal experience in teaching or training - Excellent interpersonal skills - Experience with and sensitivity to working with low-income populations - Detail-oriented with strong writing and project management skills - Team-player who is also capable of working independently and with minimal oversight - Problem solver - Self-motivated with the ability to thrive under pressure and on deadline - Demonstrated flexibility when priorities change - Capacity to simultaneously work on multiple tasks and projects, and the ability to set priorities for self, team and peers - Spanish language fluency is a plus COMPENSATION: Generous salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample as attachments to jobs at cfy.org using the following conventions: Subject line: Director of PD and SSI Search Cover Letter: yourfirstname_yourlastname_coverletter.doc Resume: yourfirstname_yourlastname_resume.doc Writing Sample: yourfirstname_yourlastname_writingsample.doc Your cover letter should be one page and describe how your experience and background would make you an excellent fit for this position. We will ONLY accept materials via email. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Computers for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds. From ransomcg at umich.edu Thu Aug 30 13:04:01 2007 From: ransomcg at umich.edu (Ransom, Charles) Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:04:01 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Speaker on Digtial Divide Message-ID: We are looking for a good speaker on the Digital Divide in particular someone that could speak about the lack of people of color in the Web 2.0 environment. Any ideas??? Charles G. Ransom Multicultural Studies Librarian 209 Hatcher North University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1205 (734) 764-7522 Office Phone (734) 764-0259 FAX