From claude.almansi at gmail.com Tue Jul 1 15:17:27 2008 From: claude.almansi at gmail.com (Claude Almansi) Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:17:27 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions In-Reply-To: <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com> <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 7:53 PM, Foo HK wrote: > > > Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. > > Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. > > Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? > > Perhaps each member can contribute to this? > LOL OK: on a "think globally act locally" line, when I had a nervous breakdown last Autumn, I organized what may have been the tiniest "telecentre" in the psychiatric hospital where I went: my Mac laptop, with NeoOffice (for-Mac version of OpenOffice). Some patients asked me how to write a CV or job applications, so I showed them and made models. Then there was a young woman, cattle-raiser by trade and bloody good amateur photographer, so we went to a caf? with a wireless connection and she made herself a Picasa picture album. That kind of things. When I left the hospital, I donated an iMac Bondy (vintage 2000) I don't really need anymore, to the patients of the section where I had been, setting it up with an admin and a user account, showing one of them - typographer by trade - how to ... administer the puter. We made of shared-files folder with the CV and letter templates, plus a series of recipes (in that section, we cooked our evening meals though we ate lunch at the hospital mensa), And I made a VERY BASIC tutorial on the use of the puter ("Top right on any window, there's a blue circle with a magnifying glass. Click on it to open a search application in order to find files you have mislead. At the bottom of any window, you'll see a series of symbol: it's called "Dock" and the symbols are for the most frequently used programs, plus possibly other programs you're using" - end of tutorial). Then we made a users log form, with a column to write down possible glitches and one for number of pages printed. I mean, folks end up in a psychiatric hospital for a number of reasons - but one fairly frequent one here in Switzerland is job problems, often caused in turn by lack of IT training. So if they are hospitalized for a certain length of time, it's a good occasion to catch up on this. One young woman had never touched a keyboard or a mouse, but she wanted to get a computer when she came out, though she had little money to spare for one. So we got permission to go to the Centro Sociale Autogestito Il Molino in Lugano, so that she could try their refurbished computer with Ubuntu and OpenOffice, Firefox ecc. Being virgin of either Windows or Mac influences, she never batted an eyelid and started working there alone. 's all for recent activities in that field. But I promised I'd go back to the patients' association, Club 74, for a workshop on how to introduce beginners to computers, based on the KISS principle - ;-) Best Claude Almansi From morgan at memeshift.com Tue Jul 1 16:39:25 2008 From: morgan at memeshift.com (Morgan Sully) Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:39:25 -0700 Subject: [DDN] Introductions Message-ID: Hi Ilan, These plans do sound ambitious and can require quite a bit of time. However, if implemented in strategic integration with TIG's other existing services, you could benefit a lot if people. With lots of online initiatives popping up left and right around the world, it's important to ask yourself what you hope to accomplish, how your project will integrate, what will change for the better if successful. These are questions I myself am considering in my own online efforts. If you're thinking about sharing/social bookmarking content on your site, ShareThis is a tool I'm currently experimenting with for this. Allows for easy tracking of who shares what with whom and how on your site + generates graphs and charts for this through an admin interface (printing info like this up can be helpful in speaking with people you need to answer too). Feedburner does the same thing but with RSS feeds + allows people to sign up for email updates. Again, before getting too excited about these fun tools, I'd ensure that some of the questions asked above are answered. Attempting to build a community can be an incredible amount of time, work, and truly understanding the community you hope to engage and energize. This very same community can also be the biggest resource. Resources i've found helpful can be found on my website, aggregated from del.icio.us: http://www.memeshift.com/online-community-resources Hope that helps! Morgan .+ Morgan Sully +. Online Communities Electronic Music New Media http://www.memeshift.com On Jun 26, 2008, at 8:33 AM, ilan at takingitglobal.org wrote: > Hello again, > > I had a request to share some of the more specific plans for the > site and > I'd love to get all of your opinions on it. > > So far you will have noticed a drastic decrease in the amount of > spam on > the site. While this will likely be an ongoing battle, the spam had > piled > up of late. I think that having a simple mechanism that visitors to > the > site can use to report spam will help with this in the long-term. > > We'd like to inspire more active blogging by our members perhaps by > allowing you to RSS a blog from another site to the DDN. Generally, > enabling comments more broadly throughout the site will likely > generate > more activity. We are, however, trying to be cautious about this as > the > comments are yet another vehicle that can be used by spammers to > clutter > the site. > > We will be posting more frequent featured articles on the site from > around > the web and hopefully original content as well. > > I'd like to increase exposure to the site and the issues by > integrating > links to social-bookmarking sites such as digg and reddit. > > One of the larger initiatives will be to develop an advisor network of > experts in various fields relating to digital divide issues. Hopefully > these experts will not only help guide the site but also contribute > original content to the site. > > Finally, I fear that since the mailing list does not show up in > websearches much of the information that can be found here is being > missed > by people researching these issues. I was hoping to research ways in > which > to integrate this mailing list into the website itself but I > understand > that there may be some strong opinions about this and would be very > interested in hearing all of the pros and cons. > > In that I am only here 2 days a week until the middle of August these > plans might be too ambitious but I'd rather be too-ambitious than not > ambitious enough. Hopefully once my internship here is done another > intern > will be able to takeover and continue developing the site. > > On Wed, June 25, 2008 2:58 pm, ilan at takingitglobal.org wrote: >> Hi there, >> >> >> I'm just writing a brief message to introduce myself. >> >> >> My name is Ilan and I am a volunteer intern at TakingITglobal and I >> will >> be working on the Digital Divide Network until the middle of >> August. We >> have a number of ideas and initiatives which will hopefully >> rejuvenate >> the site, build-up the community, and bring more attention to digital >> divide issues. If any of you have any ideas on how to accomplish >> these >> goals or any others that you think I may have missed please feel >> free to >> share. >> > > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net > with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From morgan at memeshift.com Tue Jul 1 16:44:08 2008 From: morgan at memeshift.com (Morgan Sully) Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:44:08 -0700 Subject: [DDN] Introductions In-Reply-To: References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com> <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Claude, This is awesome! Have you shared this elsewhere? Is Phil Shapiro on here? This totally sound like something he'd do. A 'Phil Shapiro' :) M .+ Morgan Sully +. Online Communities Electronic Music New Media http://www.memeshift.com On Jul 1, 2008, at 12:17 PM, "Claude Almansi" wrote: > On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 7:53 PM, Foo HK > wrote: >> >> >> Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are >> we taking to close the digital divide. >> >> Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no >> action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the >> artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time >> in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. >> >> Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we >> know of to overcome such other than just talk? >> >> Perhaps each member can contribute to this? >> > > LOL OK: on a "think globally act locally" line, when I had a nervous > breakdown last Autumn, I organized what may have been the tiniest > "telecentre" in the psychiatric hospital where I went: my Mac laptop, > with NeoOffice (for-Mac version of OpenOffice). Some patients asked me > how to write a CV or job applications, so I showed them and made > models. Then there was a young woman, cattle-raiser by trade and > bloody good amateur photographer, so we went to a caf? with a wirele > ss > connection and she made herself a Picasa picture album. That kind of > things. > > When I left the hospital, I donated an iMac Bondy (vintage 2000) I > don't really need anymore, to the patients of the section where I had > been, setting it up with an admin and a user account, showing one of > them - typographer by trade - how to ... administer the puter. > > We made of shared-files folder with the CV and letter templates, plus > a series of recipes (in that section, we cooked our evening meals > though we ate lunch at the hospital mensa), And I made a VERY BASIC > tutorial on the use of the puter ("Top right on any window, there's a > blue circle with a magnifying glass. Click on it to open a search > application in order to find files you have mislead. At the bottom of > any window, you'll see a series of symbol: it's called "Dock" and the > symbols are for the most frequently used programs, plus possibly other > programs you're using" - end of tutorial). > > Then we made a users log form, with a column to write down possible > glitches and one for number of pages printed. > > I mean, folks end up in a psychiatric hospital for a number of reasons > - but one fairly frequent one here in Switzerland is job problems, > often caused in turn by lack of IT training. So if they are > hospitalized for a certain length of time, it's a good occasion to > catch up on this. One young woman had never touched a keyboard or a > mouse, but she wanted to get a computer when she came out, though she > had little money to spare for one. So we got permission to go to the > Centro Sociale Autogestito Il Molino > in Lugano, so that she > could try their refurbished computer with Ubuntu and OpenOffice, > Firefox ecc. Being virgin of either Windows or Mac influences, she > never batted an eyelid and started working there alone. > > 's all for recent activities in that field. But I promised I'd go back > to the patients' association, Club 74, for a workshop on how to > introduce beginners to computers, based on the KISS principle - > ;-) > > Best > > Claude Almansi > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net > with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From pronto30 at earthlink.net Tue Jul 1 18:08:23 2008 From: pronto30 at earthlink.net (pronto30 at earthlink.net) Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 18:08:23 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching Message-ID: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hi everyone, I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be shorter) video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, experienced, dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on teaching in general - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on the future, or economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional impact and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it can surely be funny. Any ideas? This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. Sincerely, Jim Lerman Kean University From jwilliams at unitec.ac.nz Tue Jul 1 23:50:03 2008 From: jwilliams at unitec.ac.nz (Jocelyn Williams) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:50:03 +1200 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: <486BA3AA.4AB4.00BF.3@gw.unitec.ac.nz> Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=user and other Mark Wresch videos on YouTube...search on his name Cheers Joce Jocelyn Williams Head of Communication Studies Unitec New Zealand Private Bag 92025 Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Ph + 64 (09) 815 4321 ex 8829 Fax + 64 (09) 815 4330 http://www.communication.unitec.ac.nz/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANZCA Conference, 2008 Power & Place Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand July 9 - 11, 2008 http://anzca08.massey.ac.nz/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> 02/07/2008 10:08 >>> Hi everyone, I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be shorter) video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, experienced, dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on teaching in general - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on the future, or economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional impact and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it can surely be funny. Any ideas? This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. Sincerely, Jim Lerman Kean University _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From joe.beckmann at gmail.com Wed Jul 2 00:01:46 2008 From: joe.beckmann at gmail.com (Joe Beckmann) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:01:46 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: Check out this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c6VN2pOLWU. It's a speech by a bright kid who dropped out - repeatedly - because his friends were suiciding and overdosing. And he merely asks for help. They teach each other better than many would ever guess. On Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 6:08 PM, wrote: > Hi everyone, > I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be > shorter) > video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, > experienced, > dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on teaching > in general > - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on the > future, or > economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional > impact > and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it > can surely > be funny. > Any ideas? > This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. > Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. > Sincerely, > Jim Lerman > Kean University > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.netwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > -- Joe Beckmann 22 Stone Avenue Somerville, MA 02143 617-625-9369 617-502-0418 From marlene at potentialafrica.com Wed Jul 2 03:39:03 2008 From: marlene at potentialafrica.com (Marlene Bramley) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 09:39:03 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions References: <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B50@kichwa.IMW.local> Hi there Alan Thank you for bringing up this point:) I agree with you that much talk and little doing is the order of the day when it comes to these issues. What we are doing to bridge the gap is the following: 1. Create a web platform (in this case a collaborative website) where NGOs (who work directly with people that suffer from effects of digital divide) can engage, collaborate and connect - what this means practically for an NGO is the following. They can come to the site, register, read about any one of the following areas: a) how to get ready (e-readiness - why use technology, what to use it for, and where to start); b) get started (this section helps NGO's look at hardware, software, training and support) not only what it is but where to find it either online or offline (ie. refurbished computers and software grants) c) get training (there is a world of online downloadable curriculum out there, the site aims to summarize and provide links for users to gain different levels of skills, from basic computer training to more advanced network maintenance for instance) and lastly www.ngoconnectafrica.org will offer a program of support for users of the site. This means putting a network of support organizations in place to support from hardware to software to online support for more ad hoc issues. The site further offers forums where NGOs can discuss issues and learn from each other, two organizations might be doing exactly the same thing and can exchange knowledge and experiences with each other to promote learning. I think the most important objective should be sustainability when it comes to digital divide issues. One should deliver real value, with real benefit for a sustainable period - and the outcomes should be measured. I like what you are doing on the paperlesshomework site by the way and can see how it contributes to closing the digital divide. Do you have much uptake in Africa? Specifically South Africa? What are your experiences? Marlene Bramley Ngoconnectafrica.org -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Foo HK Sent: 27 June 2008 07:53 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions ? Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. ? Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO? ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. ? Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? ? Perhaps each member can contribute to this? ? ? Alan _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From marlene at potentialafrica.com Wed Jul 2 03:47:17 2008 From: marlene at potentialafrica.com (Marlene Bramley) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 09:47:17 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? References: <483EF0D64810104083B2A49E5A1AFEF105BD8D40@HOFEXHVS1.dialog.dialoggsm.com> Message-ID: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B51@kichwa.IMW.local> Hi there Sameera I answered a similar question yesterday and as far as I can gather the OPLC project is only piloting in South Africa at this point - I also added comments and some discussions regarding the project and sustainability of it - just to summarize - I think teachers need to be trained to use technology in South Africa, that will go a long way in helping children assimilate technology - but I added my comments to the earlier posts here below. Your thoughts will be welcome..:) Hi there Magda Ok, don?t know how much info you have on this in South Africa but here are some interesting links to conversations currently taking place. The OLPC project is only being piloted at the moment so it is hard to say what the overall effect of it will be. My personal view is that it needs to stimulate kids and then engage them in curriculum, which the project does not aim to do. They want to give each child a laptop and then leave them with it without helping teachers to incorporate technology into learning experiences ie. how do teachers use technology to teach kids? Often teachers are also not tech savvy themselves. But have a look at what is being said. I don?t work for a NGO but for a website aimed at helping NGOs bridge the digital divide with technology. One of the areas we will be focusing on is e-Learning. What has the OLPC project achieved worldwide? Do you think it is a success and that it makes a difference to kids exposed to it? Sometimes I wonder if we will be trying to introduce children to fishing a decade from now, just to get them out into nature and away from their screens? Anyway that problem will be addressed then. Have a look at the following interview with Antonie van Gelder, part of the South Africa OLPC programme: http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Hardware/303.html In Malawi - http://www.iconnectdots.com/ctd/2008/01/reality-of-one.html and other conversations can be found on: http://www.touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.php?start=%22web%202.0%22&signed=true Let me know what you think Kind regards Marlene Bramley NGOConnect Africa -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Sameera Wijerathna Sent: 01 July 2008 05:44 AM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi Marlene I am Sameera Wijerathna from Sri Lanka (in South Asia). I like to hear from you about the OPLC initiatives in South Africa. Here in Sri Lanka OLPC has created a local foundation called "OLPC Sri Lanka Foundation" and going ahead with Ministry of Education with a pilot project. What is the OLPC status in South Africa? Best regards, Sameera. Sameera Wijerathna Team lead - ICT4D Dialog Telekom www.dialog.lk www.ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Marlene Bramley Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 1:03 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi there I find this conversation very interesting, I live and work in South Africa and am involved in a website (under construction as we speak) that aims to promote the use of ICT in non government organizations. As you know Africa has huge challenges when it comes to the digital divide, although our mobile usage (in South Africa) and uptake was one of the fastest in the world, resulting in one of the biggest GSM markets in the world, much of the population is illiterate, don't have access to technology and are unemployed. So very similar to India in a lot of ways. And Ilan on another note, we will be trying to stimulate conversation in much the same way as you mention for the digital divide site (once we are up and running) Experts commenting on issues and researchers using the site to post and learn - so exciting times ahead. More importantly, NGO's using the site to download curriculum and improve their usage of technology - not only in South Africa but in Kenya, Senegal, Ghana as well. If anybody would like to know more in these areas please ask, and conversely please send information you might think is relevant to our side of the world. Thanks Marlene Bramley NGOConnect Africa -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Janet Salmons Sent: 26 June 2008 06:22 PM To: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Thanks Ismael! I am interested in the whole wide world! One of the main reasons people choose online research is to reach participants across the globe. Ismael should know-- he participated in my study about collaborative e-learning and made an extremely valuable contribution by telling me about the Campus for Peace. With no travel funds, I would not have been able to include his exemplary work in my study.... Janet -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Ismael Pe?a-L?pez Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:26 AM To: 'The Digital Divide Network discussion group' Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi Janet, Don't know whether you want your data for the US or for the whole World. The main sources about access to ICTs are the following: ITU: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Eye http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Statistics The World Bank: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_at_a_Glance_Tables The OECD: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD_Key_ICT_Indicators http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD.Stat The European Union (very good data and might be a good proxy for the US): http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Eurostat The World Economic Forum: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Networked_Readiness_Index (see a longer list here: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Data_ICT) For the US, and for such specific data as you ask for, I'd rather point you to the Pew Internet & American Life Project (http://www.pewinternet.org) which often issue interesting reports on different surveys about ICT usage and so. Good luck! Ismael Pe?a-L?pez ICTlogy.net Public Policies for Development and ICT4D School of Law and Political Science Open University of Catalonia -----Mensaje original----- De: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] En nombre de Janet Salmons Enviado el: jueves, 26 de junio de 2008 17:10 Para: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Asunto: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hello everyone, I am working on a book "Online Interviews in Real Time," about online research, specifically, conducting scholarly interviews using synchronous technologies. Of course access by a wide range of participants is a critical issue for researchers. Where can I locate the most current numbers for access, by demographic group? I'm also interested in whether there are current numbers about access by mobile phones/handheld devices; and/or access in public settings such as community centers, libraries or cafes. Thanks! Janet PS If you are an online researcher, I'd be interested to hear about your research design and approach, so feel free to contact me off list. Janet E. Salmons, Ph.D. VISION2LEAD, INC. PO Box 943 Boulder, CO 80306-0943 Site- http://www.vision2lead.com Organizational Perspectives Community - http://www.organizationalperspectives.org Blog for educators- http://blog.elearn2lead.com Blog for learners- http://belearner.elearn2lead.com/ _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________ No viruses found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. ********************************************************************************************** This e-mail is confidential. It may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient or have received it in error, please delete it and all copies from your system and notify the sender immediately by return e-mail. Any unauthorized reading, reproducing, printing or further dissemination of this e-mail or its contents is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be timely, secure, error or virus-free. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions. ********************************************************************************************** _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From marlene at potentialafrica.com Wed Jul 2 04:44:11 2008 From: marlene at potentialafrica.com (Marlene Bramley) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 10:44:11 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com><872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B55@kichwa.IMW.local> Hi there Claude I think your example of a "telecentre" is fantastic, it is very important that people are exposed to technology through a person that is informed, gentle and passionate as you seem to be. Now my job would be to find you, give you the funding you need to continue this good work and to supply you with software and hardware that might help you train thousands of people consistently (well if the thought of it does not drive you mad :) Kind regards Marlene -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Claude Almansi Sent: 01 July 2008 09:17 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 7:53 PM, Foo HK wrote: > > > Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. > > Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. > > Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? > > Perhaps each member can contribute to this? > LOL OK: on a "think globally act locally" line, when I had a nervous breakdown last Autumn, I organized what may have been the tiniest "telecentre" in the psychiatric hospital where I went: my Mac laptop, with NeoOffice (for-Mac version of OpenOffice). Some patients asked me how to write a CV or job applications, so I showed them and made models. Then there was a young woman, cattle-raiser by trade and bloody good amateur photographer, so we went to a caf? with a wireless connection and she made herself a Picasa picture album. That kind of things. When I left the hospital, I donated an iMac Bondy (vintage 2000) I don't really need anymore, to the patients of the section where I had been, setting it up with an admin and a user account, showing one of them - typographer by trade - how to ... administer the puter. We made of shared-files folder with the CV and letter templates, plus a series of recipes (in that section, we cooked our evening meals though we ate lunch at the hospital mensa), And I made a VERY BASIC tutorial on the use of the puter ("Top right on any window, there's a blue circle with a magnifying glass. Click on it to open a search application in order to find files you have mislead. At the bottom of any window, you'll see a series of symbol: it's called "Dock" and the symbols are for the most frequently used programs, plus possibly other programs you're using" - end of tutorial). Then we made a users log form, with a column to write down possible glitches and one for number of pages printed. I mean, folks end up in a psychiatric hospital for a number of reasons - but one fairly frequent one here in Switzerland is job problems, often caused in turn by lack of IT training. So if they are hospitalized for a certain length of time, it's a good occasion to catch up on this. One young woman had never touched a keyboard or a mouse, but she wanted to get a computer when she came out, though she had little money to spare for one. So we got permission to go to the Centro Sociale Autogestito Il Molino in Lugano, so that she could try their refurbished computer with Ubuntu and OpenOffice, Firefox ecc. Being virgin of either Windows or Mac influences, she never batted an eyelid and started working there alone. 's all for recent activities in that field. But I promised I'd go back to the patients' association, Club 74, for a workshop on how to introduce beginners to computers, based on the KISS principle - ;-) Best Claude Almansi _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From jc at coyotecommunications.com Wed Jul 2 06:43:03 2008 From: jc at coyotecommunications.com (jc at coyotecommunications.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:43:03 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Web 2.0 leaves out people with disabilities Message-ID: <20080702054303.n9f9qghheswwoso0@coyotecommunications.com> In June, The Washington Post featured a report on the ways in which some new digital technologies are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Per this Digital Divide (which is a design choice -- it simply does not have to be this way!), legislation has been introduced in the US Congress that would tighten access requirements for communications and entertainment providers. The article follows. ________________________________ Access Denied The Blind or Deaf Can Feel Left Behind As the Tools of Technology Advance By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, June 19, 2008 Olivia Norman's fingers fly across her laptop keyboard, dexterously tapping out instant messages to friends and entering Google searches without committing a single typo. A minute later, she's listening intently to the voice cues that help her read e-mail and send text messages on her Motorola Q smartphone. Norman is blind, so the cues help her navigate the tiny keypad and understand the words on the screen. She is not able to order an on-demand movie from Comcast because she can't read the on-screen menus. And she had trouble setting up an iTunes account because the speech-synthesizing software she relies on couldn't find the right link on the Web site. "It's a curse and a blessing at the same time," said Norman, 27, who lives in Cleveland Park. "The Internet has revolutionized my life, but there are basic things that are still completely inaccessible to people like me." In many ways, Web technologies and mobile devices have created new ways for blind and deaf consumers to find information and connect with friends. But as entertainment and communications tools increasingly take digital form, some people with disabilities feel left behind. Online videos are not required to have captions for those who can't hear, for example, and ticker-style emergency messages are not narrated for those who can't see. A number of efforts by various groups have tried to address some of these hurdles over the past few years. For example, the Federal Communications Commission last year ruled that Internet phone services, such as Vonage, that connect to the public telephone network must be compatible with hearing aids and relay services, as traditional phone companies' service is. The agency also decided that wireless carriers must ensure that at least half of their cellphones are compatible with hearing aids. Five years ago, the FCC set rules requiring video operators to provide "video description" services that narrate scenes for people with visual impairments. But those rules were overturned in court when movie studios argued that the FCC did not have authority to make such rules. Today, a Democratic congressman plans to introduce legislation that would restore those requirements, as well as bring other big changes to the way Internet phone and video are designed. "Now we're full-blown into this digital era, and we, in general, need to upgrade the laws that ensure that there is accessibility for all the people who use these new technologies," said Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The bill, also sponsored by Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-N.M.), calls for new rules for devices that display video programming. Federal law requires all TV sets with screens larger than 13 inches to display closed captions. Under the new legislation, all gadgets from MP3 music players to cellphones would be required to show captions. Devices would also be obligated to provide video description services and read aloud emergency messages that scroll across the bottom of the screen. And they would have to be designed so that on-screen menus are usable by people with disabilities. In addition, Markey's bill would extend existing Internet phone service requirements to Skype and similar services that let users exchange voice, text or video communications over the Internet. Various advocates of people with disabilities have lined up in support of the bill, arguing that it's high time that the law spelled out technology standards that consider the needs of consumers with visual or hearing impairments. But tech industry groups say that such a list of requirements will dampen the innovation that's already making these products and services available and more accessible. They also argue that new regulations will drive up the price of products for all consumers. "No one thought about these things five years ago, and yet these technologies are coming down the pike on their own and we need to make sure we don't stifle that growth," said K. Dane Snowden, vice president of state and external affairs for CTIA, the wireless industry's main lobby group in Washington. Robert McConnell, a 23-year-old student at Gallaudet University in Northeast Washington, said Web cameras, instant-messaging programs and his BlackBerry allow him to communicate in ways that were not available to previous generations of the deaf and hard of hearing. "We live through our thumbs," he said of his dependence on his cellphone to send text messages and photos of sign-language sequences. But video clips and many TV shows that are streamed online are often unintelligible to him because they lack captions. At the moment, it is left up to the producers of online content to decide whether to provide captions. CBS's Web site, for example, does not have captions for all of the network's content, but Hulu.com, a joint venture between NBC and Fox, often does. Similarly, Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, has put captions on many of the videos on his campaign Web site, McConnell has observed. Officials with Republican candidate Sen. John McCain did not say whether his site provides captions for videos. Captions are difficult to post with online videos because there is no common standard for how they are decoded and displayed, said Larry Goldberg, director of media access at WGBH, a public broadcasting station in Boston. The station is coordinating a coalition called the Internet Captioning Forum, formed last year by AOL, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, which is working to draw up captioning standards for content providers and Web sites. The proposed bill would not extend to the homemade clips posted on YouTube and other video sharing sites but would require major TV networks and movie studios to include captions with Web-bound content. "The problem is every video player -- RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, QuickTime -- works differently," Goldberg said. Although made-for-TV content is required to have captions, they are not always easily repurposed for the Web. For example, if a half-hour show is broken up into smaller clips for the Web site, the prerecorded captions "can be garbled or destroyed." Some companies have created programs that cater to deaf and blind people. FeedRoom, a New York company, has created a video player that can display captions. Audiopoint, based in Rockville, has a text-to-speech program that reads e-mail and news alerts over the phone in a robotic voice. But the software can cost hundreds of dollars, and compatible devices can cost in the thousands, said Karen Peltz Strauss, who helped form the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology. She said she thinks federal action would help make the technologies more affordable. But Vincent Morris, communications director for the Information Technology Industry Council, argued that government action would also lead to higher prices for all consumers. "Our goal would be to craft something that works for the broadest number of people, and we're not convinced this bill is a good example of that," he said. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From jc at coyotecommunications.com Wed Jul 2 06:51:24 2008 From: jc at coyotecommunications.com (jc at coyotecommunications.com) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:51:24 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Introductions In-Reply-To: <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20080702055124.me10htgn70ogg8c4@coyotecommunications.com> Quoting Foo HK : > Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are > we taking to close the digital divide. I volunteer with an organization called Knowbility (http://www.knowbility.org), which works to increase the access to tech-related education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities/people using assistive technologies. I've created some of the materials they use in their trainings, I've volunteered onsite at their events (like their Accessibility Internet Rallies, or AIR, which teach web designers about they importance of accessibility and then these designers apply those skills to building or improving web sites for nonprofit organizations), and I do what I can to send funding leads its way so that they can continue their work. I also use my own blog (http://blogs.forumer.com/jcravens/) and my web site (http://www.coyotecommunications.com) to promote accessibility, and any time in the last 10 years when I've had the opportunity to have input on a job description for a web designer, I've campaigned for basic accessibility design skills to be a requirement, and for any web site I'm involved with to meet accessibility standards. Regarding gender and the digital divide, I was able to work with a few telecenter initiatives in developing countries to help them create a safe space for women and girls to feel comfortable using the computers provided to the public, and I hosted an online forum at TechSoup addressing this issue, but I haven't really done much on this in a few years, unfortunately (no opportunities to do so). That's my story! <><><><><><><><><><><><><> 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 paperlesshomework at yahoo.com Wed Jul 2 08:05:28 2008 From: paperlesshomework at yahoo.com (Foo HK) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 05:05:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? In-Reply-To: <483EF0D64810104083B2A49E5A1AFEF105BD8D40@HOFEXHVS1.dialog.dialoggsm.com> Message-ID: <717445.51582.qm@web62313.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Hello Sameera, ? I am very interested in your Sri Lanka OLPC project and? perhaps you can let us have their site link? ? ? Which of the models are you using?? Classmate PC , EEE Asus or XO? ? What OS are you using ? Linux or Win XP? ? ?? Where do you get the contents available for the OLPC? ? ?? Are the school level contents available freely? for these OLPC? ? Thanks Alan --- On Mon, 6/30/08, Sameera Wijerathna wrote: From: Sameera Wijerathna Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Monday, June 30, 2008, 8:44 PM Hi Marlene I am Sameera Wijerathna from Sri Lanka (in South Asia). I like to hear from you about the OPLC initiatives in South Africa. Here in Sri Lanka OLPC has created a local foundation called "OLPC Sri Lanka Foundation" and going ahead with Ministry of Education with a pilot project. What is the OLPC status in South Africa? Best regards, Sameera. Sameera Wijerathna Team lead - ICT4D Dialog Telekom www.dialog.lk www.ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Marlene Bramley Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 1:03 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi there I find this conversation very interesting, I live and work in South Africa and am involved in a website (under construction as we speak) that aims to promote the use of ICT in non government organizations. As you know Africa has huge challenges when it comes to the digital divide, although our mobile usage (in South Africa) and uptake was one of the fastest in the world, resulting in one of the biggest GSM markets in the world, much of the population is illiterate, don't have access to technology and are unemployed. So very similar to India in a lot of ways. And Ilan on another note, we will be trying to stimulate conversation in much the same way as you mention for the digital divide site (once we are up and running) Experts commenting on issues and researchers using the site to post and learn - so exciting times ahead. More importantly, NGO's using the site to download curriculum and improve their usage of technology - not only in South Africa but in Kenya, Senegal, Ghana as well. If anybody would like to know more in these areas please ask, and conversely please send information you might think is relevant to our side of the world. Thanks Marlene Bramley NGOConnect Africa -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Janet Salmons Sent: 26 June 2008 06:22 PM To: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Thanks Ismael! I am interested in the whole wide world! One of the main reasons people choose online research is to reach participants across the globe. Ismael should know-- he participated in my study about collaborative e-learning and made an extremely valuable contribution by telling me about the Campus for Peace. With no travel funds, I would not have been able to include his exemplary work in my study.... Janet -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Ismael Pe?a-L?pez Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:26 AM To: 'The Digital Divide Network discussion group' Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi Janet, Don't know whether you want your data for the US or for the whole World. The main sources about access to ICTs are the following: ITU: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Eye http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Statistics The World Bank: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_at_a_Glance_Tables The OECD: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD_Key_ICT_Indicators http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD.Stat The European Union (very good data and might be a good proxy for the US): http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Eurostat The World Economic Forum: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Networked_Readiness_Index (see a longer list here: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Data_ICT) For the US, and for such specific data as you ask for, I'd rather point you to the Pew Internet & American Life Project (http://www.pewinternet.org) which often issue interesting reports on different surveys about ICT usage and so. Good luck! Ismael Pe?a-L?pez ICTlogy.net Public Policies for Development and ICT4D School of Law and Political Science Open University of Catalonia -----Mensaje original----- De: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] En nombre de Janet Salmons Enviado el: jueves, 26 de junio de 2008 17:10 Para: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Asunto: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hello everyone, I am working on a book "Online Interviews in Real Time," about online research, specifically, conducting scholarly interviews using synchronous technologies. Of course access by a wide range of participants is a critical issue for researchers. Where can I locate the most current numbers for access, by demographic group? I'm also interested in whether there are current numbers about access by mobile phones/handheld devices; and/or access in public settings such as community centers, libraries or cafes. Thanks! Janet PS If you are an online researcher, I'd be interested to hear about your research design and approach, so feel free to contact me off list. Janet E. Salmons, Ph.D. VISION2LEAD, INC. PO Box 943 Boulder, CO 80306-0943 Site- http://www.vision2lead.com Organizational Perspectives Community - http://www.organizationalperspectives.org Blog for educators- http://blog.elearn2lead.com Blog for learners- http://belearner.elearn2lead.com/ _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________ No viruses found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. ********************************************************************************************** This e-mail is confidential. 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From jaevion4u at hotmail.com Wed Jul 2 08:58:37 2008 From: jaevion4u at hotmail.com (Jaevion Nelson) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 07:58:37 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: HI www.teachertube.com might be a good resource to check for a video. Jaevion Nelson (Jae) > Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 18:08:23 -0400> From: pronto30 at earthlink.net> To: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net> Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching> > Hi everyone,> I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be shorter)> video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, experienced,> dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on teaching in general> - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on the future, or> economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional impact> and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it can surely> be funny.> Any ideas?> This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on.> Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses.> Sincerely,> Jim Lerman> Kean University> _______________________________________________> DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list> DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net> http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide> To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _________________________________________________________________ Connect to the next generation of MSN Messenger? http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-us&source=wlmailtagline From grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us Wed Jul 2 10:47:57 2008 From: grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us (grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:47:57 +0000 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: <20080702144757.qo662hwbqm884kg8@mail.msln.net> Hi, everyone. I sent this Taylor Mali link to Jim, but thought others may also like to view the video. Taylor also has a site at www.taylormali.com Enjoy! Gretchen Quoting pronto30 at earthlink.net: > Hi everyone, > I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could > be shorter) > video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, > experienced, > dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on > teaching in general > - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on > the future, or > economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have > emotional impact > and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- > although it can surely > be funny. > Any ideas? > This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. > Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. > Sincerely, > Jim Lerman > Kean University > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to > digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in > the body of the message. > From tutormentor2 at earthlink.net Wed Jul 2 10:51:57 2008 From: tutormentor2 at earthlink.net (Dan Bassill) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:51:57 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Introductions and "what we do" In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Thanks Claude. Here's my contribution. I've been building an on-line library of information related to poverty, tutoring/mentoring, workforce development, etc. that anyone operating or volunteering in a tutor/mentor program can use as a resource, and that anyone in business, philanthropy, media, government, etc. can also use as a resource. I've been piloting uses of maps to show where poverty is concentrated in a geographic area, with overlays showing poorly performing schools and incidents of violence. In the Library on the T/MC site I show many other uses of GIS to help people make decisions. Our goal is that there is a distribution of effective tutor/mentor programs in all poverty neighborhoods, not just in the few places that have great marketing or great public visibility. I've created a Chicago Tutor/Mentor Program Locator, which parents, teachers, volunteers, donors, etc. can search to find contact information for various tutoring and/or mentoring programs in specific sip codes of Chicago and its suburbs. Any program doing volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring can be listed, and can update their own information. I've been reaching out to business and professional groups to encourage them to provide funds and recruit volunteers to support multiple tutor/mentor programs in the city, not just my non profit. The SunTimes Marovitz Lawyers Lending a Hand to Youth Program awarded $240,000 in grants to 31 different Chicago tutor/mentor programs in 2007 as a result of this effort. Our aim is that this grows, and is duplicated by other industries, and in other cities. I've been using blogs, conferences, and other forms of communications and networking to increase the number of programs that talk to each other, share information, and collaborate on actions that increase the number of people who look at this information and then provide consistent, flexible, support with time, dollars, tech support, etc. to existing programs, or to help new programs start in areas where none now exist. I provide this support to more than 250 other tutoring/mentoring programs in Chicago while leading my own Cabrini Connections program in one neighborhood of Chicago. While most non profits hoard resources and compete with each other for a small pool of dollars and volunteers. I've consistently demonstrated that by talking about the needs of all tutor/mentor programs in a geographic area we can generate enough resources to support our own program at the same time. If others adopt this "we" thinking we can dramatically increase the resources needed for a more even distribution of tutor/mentor programs, technology enabled programs, arts, enrichment and other needed services. I started doing this in 1993 and have done it consistently for the past 15 years. I write about this on http://tutormentor.blogspot.com and provide links on the blog to all of the other features I mentioned above. Daniel F. Bassill President Tutor/Mentor Connection Cabrini Connections 800 W. Huron Chicago, Il. 60622 From marlene at potentialafrica.com Wed Jul 2 10:58:22 2008 From: marlene at potentialafrica.com (Marlene Bramley) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 16:58:22 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions References: <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <20080702055124.me10htgn70ogg8c4@coyotecommunications.com> Message-ID: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B6B@kichwa.IMW.local> Hi there Jayne Perhaps we can chat about hosting a forum on ngoconnect africa about this (as you did at Techsoup) when the site is up and running? Regards Marlene -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of jc at coyotecommunications.com Sent: 02 July 2008 12:51 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions Quoting Foo HK : > Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are > we taking to close the digital divide. I volunteer with an organization called Knowbility (http://www.knowbility.org), which works to increase the access to tech-related education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities/people using assistive technologies. I've created some of the materials they use in their trainings, I've volunteered onsite at their events (like their Accessibility Internet Rallies, or AIR, which teach web designers about they importance of accessibility and then these designers apply those skills to building or improving web sites for nonprofit organizations), and I do what I can to send funding leads its way so that they can continue their work. I also use my own blog (http://blogs.forumer.com/jcravens/) and my web site (http://www.coyotecommunications.com) to promote accessibility, and any time in the last 10 years when I've had the opportunity to have input on a job description for a web designer, I've campaigned for basic accessibility design skills to be a requirement, and for any web site I'm involved with to meet accessibility standards. Regarding gender and the digital divide, I was able to work with a few telecenter initiatives in developing countries to help them create a safe space for women and girls to feel comfortable using the computers provided to the public, and I hosted an online forum at TechSoup addressing this issue, but I haven't really done much on this in a few years, unfortunately (no opportunities to do so). That's my story! <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From claude.almansi at gmail.com Wed Jul 2 11:11:25 2008 From: claude.almansi at gmail.com (Claude Almansi) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 17:11:25 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions In-Reply-To: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B55@kichwa.IMW.local> References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com> <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B55@kichwa.IMW.local> Message-ID: Hi Marlene, Thank you so much for your offer: it doesn't drive me mad, on the contrary - but maybe a project in a Swiss psychiatric hospital is not really within the agenda of potentialafrica.com? After all, Switzerland is a rich country and should be able to finance a less DIY version of that project. In fact some cantons here are pretty good at that: Vaud has the Joker project , which was very much in my mind when I started showing folks how to use a computer at the hospital. It's just that a) I'm not good at fundraising; b) Ticino, where that hospital is, still has a far more IT-illiterate cantonal administration than Vaud; c) psychiatrical hospitals have grounded reasons for being wary of the use patients might make of IT, and in this case, quite a few less grounded fears. For instance, when S., a young translator, who was hospitalized for painkillers abuse due to the consequences of a bad car accident, asked me to help her make a digital CV, at first, the nurses in her section of the hospital were very suspicious. Then on the day I decided to tell them I was ready to fully undress for inspection before the lesson with S., they had just decided I could be trusted and they let us work in her room, unsupervised. In the section I was in, it was a bit easier because there are no patients with substance abuse problems there. So the staff soon accepted and encouraged the idea of letting people get the hang of computers. Even the therapy director of the hospital was quite favorable, after a while. But still, the hierarchical structure is complex and heavy - and I should first find the right people who could OK such a project - and the fundraising for it. Best Claude On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 10:44 AM, Marlene Bramley wrote: > Hi there Claude > > I think your example of a "telecentre" is fantastic, it is very important that people are exposed to technology through a person that is informed, gentle and passionate as you seem to be. Now my job would be to find you, give you the funding you need to continue this good work and to supply you with software and hardware that might help you train thousands of people consistently (well if the thought of it does not drive you mad :) > > Kind regards > Marlene > > From paperlesshomework at yahoo.com Wed Jul 2 12:07:30 2008 From: paperlesshomework at yahoo.com (Foo HK) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 09:07:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide In-Reply-To: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B50@kichwa.IMW.local> Message-ID: <267855.91274.qm@web62305.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Dear Marlene, ? Thank you for your kind words. ? As you can see, we are providing a unique solution to close the digital divide using practical technology rather than high tech. ? I have the opportunity to discuss this in the UNESCO forum about the failure of Technology to close the digital divide and why UNESCO's goal of achieving EFA by 2015 will be a big challenge. ? I told them, they are trying to reach out to the poor (where EFA is trying to reach out to the poor) with rich men's tools/platforms i.e CDs or flash online platforms(requiring online broadband). Any attempt at ICT in mass Education will never work using current tech. ? We further have developed a tool to be given free to Ministries of Education and schools to enable any teacher to go to the next level from blackboards to digital enabled saving lots of money in papers and chalks. ? At the moment we are operating in Malaysia and our Ministry of education has helped us to distribute to?their schools free use of our tools and contents especially the?rural schools. ? As for Africa, we met a few finalists of Stockholm Challenge 2008 from Zambia and Uganda and they have expressed interest to introduce our solution to their countries' Ministries of Education. ? We wish to reach out to Ministries of Education of third world countries to have our tools and contents for free and see how using our solution what normally cost hundreds of millions in software development and distribution would cost pennies! ? Yes, using our platform,we are able to allow 380 million modules to be downloaded per month for only US5-00 per month! Try that with flash systems or CDs ...not possible. ? Imagine what the MOE can do and reach for almost nothing universal reach of contents relevent to their country. By being able to reach out to the most remote areas, equitable education can become a reality until now impossible no matter how much any govt spend. ? If you would look at our site at www.paperlesshomework.com and see the number of contents we are able to provide to the entire Malaysia (or world) and at the cost of less than US30,000 spent so far would give you an idea how our AGE can overcome the digital divide. We are funded by two small Malaysian government grants. We have been encouraged to apply for larger funds for contents development after this grant matures. ? Since you do come in contact with NGOs all over Africa and sponsored by Microsoft ( we were sponsored by Microsoft Malaysia too ), perhaps you can get them to help us to reach out to schools in their areas to use our contents/tools for free? We can empower their teachers to the next level for?free and raise funds for them too. ? We would be going to China, India and Indonesia which together represent 2.7 billion people ie. nearly half the world population and get their schools to use our AGE to save money and go green by using less paper. This we would achieve in one stroke... ? ?? 1. A greener world with hundreds of millions of Ambassadors of Mother Earth ?? 2. Bring better access and education to the rural poor ?? 3. Enables these three countries with huge rural poor schools up to rich urban schools.levels for free ?? 4. Empowering teachers with a tool to create their own contents for free ?? 5. Saves hundreds of millions for their government in ICT implementation ?? 6. For the first time ICT in mass Education can work. ?? 7. Ideal for volunteer field workers ...seconds of download ...hours/days of usage ? Btw we are offering any school registering two free licences for their library and?for a teacher. This way we can enable every child access to our contents free. We believe no child should be left behind. ? This is our contribution to digital divide. ? Regards Alan ? --- On Wed, 7/2/08, Marlene Bramley wrote: From: Marlene Bramley Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 12:39 AM Hi there Alan Thank you for bringing up this point:) I agree with you that much talk and little doing is the order of the day when it comes to these issues. What we are doing to bridge the gap is the following: 1. Create a web platform (in this case a collaborative website) where NGOs (who work directly with people that suffer from effects of digital divide) can engage, collaborate and connect - what this means practically for an NGO is the following. They can come to the site, register, read about any one of the following areas: a) how to get ready (e-readiness - why use technology, what to use it for, and where to start); b) get started (this section helps NGO's look at hardware, software, training and support) not only what it is but where to find it either online or offline (ie. refurbished computers and software grants) c) get training (there is a world of online downloadable curriculum out there, the site aims to summarize and provide links for users to gain different levels of skills, from basic computer training to more advanced network maintenance for instance) and lastly www.ngoconnectafrica.org will offer a program of support for users of the site. This means putting a network of support organizations in place to support from hardware to software to online support for more ad hoc issues. The site further offers forums where NGOs can discuss issues and learn from each other, two organizations might be doing exactly the same thing and can exchange knowledge and experiences with each other to promote learning. I think the most important objective should be sustainability when it comes to digital divide issues. One should deliver real value, with real benefit for a sustainable period - and the outcomes should be measured. I like what you are doing on the paperlesshomework site by the way and can see how it contributes to closing the digital divide. Do you have much uptake in Africa? Specifically South Africa? What are your experiences? Marlene Bramley Ngoconnectafrica.org -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Foo HK Sent: 27 June 2008 07:53 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions ? Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. ? Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO? ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. ? Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? ? Perhaps each member can contribute to this? ? ? Alan _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From karen at cathedral.mb.ca Wed Jul 2 13:49:08 2008 From: karen at cathedral.mb.ca (Karen Keppler) Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:49:08 -0500 Subject: [DDN] Introductions In-Reply-To: References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com> <872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <486BBF94.50904@cathedral.mb.ca> I think an inventory would be really really good. We have an ewaste recycling/reuse program and we have given 1500+ computers to individuals who would not otherwise afford one. Karen Keppler Morgan Sully wrote: >Claude, >This is awesome! Have you shared this elsewhere? Is Phil Shapiro on >here? This totally sound like something he'd do. A 'Phil Shapiro' :) > >M > >.+ Morgan Sully +. >Online Communities >Electronic Music >New Media >http://www.memeshift.com > >On Jul 1, 2008, at 12:17 PM, "Claude Almansi" > wrote: > > > >>On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 7:53 PM, Foo HK >> wrote: >> >> >>>Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are >>>we taking to close the digital divide. >>> >>>Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no >>>action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the >>>artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time >>>in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. >>> >>>Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we >>>know of to overcome such other than just talk? >>> >>>Perhaps each member can contribute to this? >>> >>> >>> >>LOL OK: on a "think globally act locally" line, when I had a nervous >>breakdown last Autumn, I organized what may have been the tiniest >>"telecentre" in the psychiatric hospital where I went: my Mac laptop, >>with NeoOffice (for-Mac version of OpenOffice). Some patients asked me >>how to write a CV or job applications, so I showed them and made >>models. Then there was a young woman, cattle-raiser by trade and >>bloody good amateur photographer, so we went to a caf? with a wirele >>ss >>connection and she made herself a Picasa picture album. That kind of >>things. >> >>When I left the hospital, I donated an iMac Bondy (vintage 2000) I >>don't really need anymore, to the patients of the section where I had >>been, setting it up with an admin and a user account, showing one of >>them - typographer by trade - how to ... administer the puter. >> >>We made of shared-files folder with the CV and letter templates, plus >>a series of recipes (in that section, we cooked our evening meals >>though we ate lunch at the hospital mensa), And I made a VERY BASIC >>tutorial on the use of the puter ("Top right on any window, there's a >>blue circle with a magnifying glass. Click on it to open a search >>application in order to find files you have mislead. At the bottom of >>any window, you'll see a series of symbol: it's called "Dock" and the >>symbols are for the most frequently used programs, plus possibly other >>programs you're using" - end of tutorial). >> >>Then we made a users log form, with a column to write down possible >>glitches and one for number of pages printed. >> >>I mean, folks end up in a psychiatric hospital for a number of reasons >>- but one fairly frequent one here in Switzerland is job problems, >>often caused in turn by lack of IT training. So if they are >>hospitalized for a certain length of time, it's a good occasion to >>catch up on this. One young woman had never touched a keyboard or a >>mouse, but she wanted to get a computer when she came out, though she >>had little money to spare for one. So we got permission to go to the >>Centro Sociale Autogestito Il Molino >> in Lugano, so that she >>could try their refurbished computer with Ubuntu and OpenOffice, >>Firefox ecc. Being virgin of either Windows or Mac influences, she >>never batted an eyelid and started working there alone. >> >>'s all for recent activities in that field. But I promised I'd go back >>to the patients' association, Club 74, for a workshop on how to >>introduce beginners to computers, based on the KISS principle - >> ;-) >> >>Best >> >>Claude Almansi >>_______________________________________________ >>DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list >>DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net >>http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide >>To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net >> 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > > > > -- Karen Keppler MBA Managing Partner, Cathedral Group 511 Robinson Ave.,Selkirk, MB R1A 1E5 Phone: (204) 482 2115 Fax: (204) 589 3800 Email: karen at cathedral.mb.ca Web: www.cathedral.mb.ca From ilan at takingitglobal.org Wed Jul 2 14:04:15 2008 From: ilan at takingitglobal.org (Ilan Tsekhman) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:04:15 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.n et> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: <.69.159.196.66.1215021855.squirrel@webmail.takingitglobal.org> Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U I found it to be quite interesting and might be the sort of thing that you are looking for. On Tue, July 1, 2008 6:08 pm, pronto30 at earthlink.net wrote: > Hi everyone, > I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be > shorter) video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of > solid, experienced, dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It > should focus on teaching in general - no particular grade level or > subject, no particular emphasis on the future, or economic > competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional impact > and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it > can surely be funny. Any ideas? > This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. > Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. > Sincerely, > Jim Lerman > Kean University > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net > with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > From claude.almansi at gmail.com Wed Jul 2 15:41:27 2008 From: claude.almansi at gmail.com (Claude Almansi) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 21:41:27 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Fwd: Web 2.0 leaves out people with disabilities In-Reply-To: References: <20080702054303.n9f9qghheswwoso0@coyotecommunications.com> Message-ID: (sorry, I sent that from the wrong address) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Claude Almansi Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 9:40 PM Subject: Re: [DDN] Web 2.0 leaves out people with disabilities To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Hi Jayne Thanks for the Washington Post article (. Re the part about captioning: ... > Captions are difficult to post with online videos because there is no > common standard for how they are decoded and displayed, said Larry > Goldberg, director of media access at WGBH, a public broadcasting > station in Boston. The station is coordinating a coalition called the > Internet Captioning Forum, formed last year by AOL, Google, Microsoft > and Yahoo, which is working to draw up captioning standards for content > providers and Web sites. > > The proposed bill would not extend to the homemade clips posted on > YouTube and other video sharing sites but would require major TV networks > and movie studios to include captions with Web-bound content. > > "The problem is every video player -- RealPlayer, Windows Media > Player, QuickTime -- works differently," Goldberg said. > > Although made-for-TV content is required to have captions, they are not > always easily repurposed for the Web. For example, if a half-hour show > is broken up into smaller clips for the Web site, the prerecorded > captions "can be garbled or destroyed." Mmm. That would not happen with SMIL (see ), where the captions are on a separate .txt file with time codes, which gets coordinated to the video by the .smil file. And this does also work with streaming flash, as used on many amateur video platforms. So if you were to present just an extract of a video, it would be enough to modify accordingly the .txt file of the captions, renumbering the timecodes. Example: take the captioned "Missing in Pakistan" video in . Say I wanted to show an extract starting with Amina Mahsood's story. I'd cut the first 00:03:30.24 part of the video, and do the same with my .txt captioning file, starting at "[00:03:30.25] Journalist But behind the pictures exist real human stories" and substracting 00:03:30.25 from the present timecodes. Actually, the same would probably work also with DotSub.com, where you can export the captioning file: you could modify it in the same way to fit a new shorter version of the video. It doesn't take a geek to do that - just someone rather meticulous in order not to skip a timecode ;-) Re: > > Some companies have created programs that cater to deaf and blind > people. FeedRoom, a New York company, has created a video player that > can display captions. Audiopoint, based in Rockville, has a > text-to-speech program that reads e-mail and news alerts over the phone > in a robotic voice. > > But the software can cost hundreds of dollars, and compatible devices > can cost in the thousands, said Karen Peltz Strauss, who helped form the > Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology. A blind friend is presently experimenting with NVDA a FOSS screenreader that works on Windows. He says that "considering how recent its development is, it works quite well". He is now exploring screen reader solutions that work on Ubuntu Linux. But as to captioning, the real issue is the time it takes to transcribe the audio of a video - and hence the manpower cost involved if you want to do it systematically With a powerful computer, a tool like MAGpie (see ), which has a player and a part where you write captions and timecode them using the player, can be of help. On an average computer, though, it only works with fairly short videos. Of course, you can rip the audio and transcribe it in the labels of Audacity . It's the easiest way I found so far but still takes time, though (1): I'm not sure how a broadcasting corporation could afford to have it done systematically. Sure, some "Amazon Mechanical Turks" are ready to do transcriptions for a pittance (see the part about CastingWords.com in "I make $1.45 a week and I love it" ), but I hope a broadcasting corporation would have qualms about using such a service, even though some podcasters (Tim O'Reilly for instance: see the podcasts listed in ) don't. Best Claude Almansi www.noimedia.org (1) also because when you export Audacity labels as a .txt file, the time codes are expressed in seconds, whereas they have to be expressed in hh:mm:ss for SMIL captioning. So you either systematically divide them by 60 (and again by 60 for really long stuff) - or you replace them by hand using a video editing software that's precise enough. From grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us Wed Jul 2 17:02:08 2008 From: grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us (grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us) Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 21:02:08 +0000 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <20080702144757.qo662hwbqm884kg8@mail.msln.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> <20080702144757.qo662hwbqm884kg8@mail.msln.net> Message-ID: <20080702210208.dbkseawr4c8gsook@mail.msln.net> Hi...again. Decided it might be a good idea if I actually included the link I was talking about in the email. Can you tell I am on summer vacation! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU I think the same video can be found in other places that may be of better quality, but this is the one I came to first. Gretchen Quoting grfitzpatrick at houlton.sad29.k12.me.us: > > Hi, everyone. I sent this Taylor Mali link to Jim, but thought others > may also like to view the video. Taylor also has a site at > www.taylormali.com Enjoy! Gretchen > > > > > > Quoting pronto30 at earthlink.net: > >> Hi everyone, >> I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could >> be shorter) >> video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, >> experienced, >> dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on >> teaching in general >> - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on >> the future, or >> economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have >> emotional impact >> and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- >> although it can surely >> be funny. >> Any ideas? >> This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. >> Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. >> Sincerely, >> Jim Lerman >> Kean University >> _______________________________________________ >> DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list >> DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net >> http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide >> To unsubscribe, send a message to >> digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in > the body of the message. > From cindylemcke_hoong at yahoo.co.uk Wed Jul 2 21:29:42 2008 From: cindylemcke_hoong at yahoo.co.uk (Cindy Lemcke-Hoong) Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 01:29:42 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide In-Reply-To: <267855.91274.qm@web62305.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <248191.90292.qm@web25802.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Hello Alan, You wrote: << I told them, they are trying to reach out to the poor (where EFA is trying to reach out to the poor) with rich men's tools/platforms i.e CDs or flash online platforms(requiring online broadband). Any attempt at ICT in mass Education will never work using current tech.>> Well written. That has always been my argument, not just on this platform. Cindy ============= Cindyhoong at gmail.com --- On Wed, 2/7/08, Foo HK wrote: From: Foo HK Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, 2 July, 2008, 6:07 PM Dear Marlene, Thank you for your kind words. As you can see, we are providing a unique solution to close the digital divide using practical technology rather than high tech. I have the opportunity to discuss this in the UNESCO forum about the failure of Technology to close the digital divide and why UNESCO's goal of achieving EFA by 2015 will be a big challenge. I told them, they are trying to reach out to the poor (where EFA is trying to reach out to the poor) with rich men's tools/platforms i.e CDs or flash online platforms(requiring online broadband). Any attempt at ICT in mass Education will never work using current tech. We further have developed a tool to be given free to Ministries of Education and schools to enable any teacher to go to the next level from blackboards to digital enabled saving lots of money in papers and chalks. At the moment we are operating in Malaysia and our Ministry of education has helped us to distribute to their schools free use of our tools and contents especially the rural schools. As for Africa, we met a few finalists of Stockholm Challenge 2008 from Zambia and Uganda and they have expressed interest to introduce our solution to their countries' Ministries of Education. We wish to reach out to Ministries of Education of third world countries to have our tools and contents for free and see how using our solution what normally cost hundreds of millions in software development and distribution would cost pennies! Yes, using our platform,we are able to allow 380 million modules to be downloaded per month for only US5-00 per month! Try that with flash systems or CDs ...not possible. Imagine what the MOE can do and reach for almost nothing universal reach of contents relevent to their country. By being able to reach out to the most remote areas, equitable education can become a reality until now impossible no matter how much any govt spend. If you would look at our site at www.paperlesshomework.com and see the number of contents we are able to provide to the entire Malaysia (or world) and at the cost of less than US30,000 spent so far would give you an idea how our AGE can overcome the digital divide. We are funded by two small Malaysian government grants. We have been encouraged to apply for larger funds for contents development after this grant matures. Since you do come in contact with NGOs all over Africa and sponsored by Microsoft ( we were sponsored by Microsoft Malaysia too ), perhaps you can get them to help us to reach out to schools in their areas to use our contents/tools for free? We can empower their teachers to the next level for free and raise funds for them too. We would be going to China, India and Indonesia which together represent 2.7 billion people ie. nearly half the world population and get their schools to use our AGE to save money and go green by using less paper. This we would achieve in one stroke... 1. A greener world with hundreds of millions of Ambassadors of Mother Earth 2. Bring better access and education to the rural poor 3. Enables these three countries with huge rural poor schools up to rich urban schools.levels for free 4. Empowering teachers with a tool to create their own contents for free 5. Saves hundreds of millions for their government in ICT implementation 6. For the first time ICT in mass Education can work. 7. Ideal for volunteer field workers ...seconds of download ...hours/days of usage Btw we are offering any school registering two free licences for their library and for a teacher. This way we can enable every child access to our contents free. We believe no child should be left behind. This is our contribution to digital divide. Regards Alan --- On Wed, 7/2/08, Marlene Bramley wrote: From: Marlene Bramley Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 12:39 AM Hi there Alan Thank you for bringing up this point:) I agree with you that much talk and little doing is the order of the day when it comes to these issues. What we are doing to bridge the gap is the following: 1. Create a web platform (in this case a collaborative website) where NGOs (who work directly with people that suffer from effects of digital divide) can engage, collaborate and connect - what this means practically for an NGO is the following. They can come to the site, register, read about any one of the following areas: a) how to get ready (e-readiness - why use technology, what to use it for, and where to start); b) get started (this section helps NGO's look at hardware, software, training and support) not only what it is but where to find it either online or offline (ie. refurbished computers and software grants) c) get training (there is a world of online downloadable curriculum out there, the site aims to summarize and provide links for users to gain different levels of skills, from basic computer training to more advanced network maintenance for instance) and lastly www.ngoconnectafrica.org will offer a program of support for users of the site. This means putting a network of support organizations in place to support from hardware to software to online support for more ad hoc issues. The site further offers forums where NGOs can discuss issues and learn from each other, two organizations might be doing exactly the same thing and can exchange knowledge and experiences with each other to promote learning. I think the most important objective should be sustainability when it comes to digital divide issues. One should deliver real value, with real benefit for a sustainable period - and the outcomes should be measured. I like what you are doing on the paperlesshomework site by the way and can see how it contributes to closing the digital divide. Do you have much uptake in Africa? Specifically South Africa? What are your experiences? Marlene Bramley Ngoconnectafrica.org -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Foo HK Sent: 27 June 2008 07:53 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? Perhaps each member can contribute to this? Alan _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From marlene at potentialafrica.com Thu Jul 3 03:18:12 2008 From: marlene at potentialafrica.com (Marlene Bramley) Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 09:18:12 +0200 Subject: [DDN] Introductions References: <20080627061329.avvip1e7sw88scog@coyotecommunications.com><872541.98561.qm@web62304.mail.re1.yahoo.com><59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B55@kichwa.IMW.local> Message-ID: <59EAF935EDCFBB488C75C497A8A578901B2B84@kichwa.IMW.local> Hi Claude I neglected to say, ... in South Africa:) Marlene -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Claude Almansi Sent: 02 July 2008 05:11 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions Hi Marlene, Thank you so much for your offer: it doesn't drive me mad, on the contrary - but maybe a project in a Swiss psychiatric hospital is not really within the agenda of potentialafrica.com? After all, Switzerland is a rich country and should be able to finance a less DIY version of that project. In fact some cantons here are pretty good at that: Vaud has the Joker project , which was very much in my mind when I started showing folks how to use a computer at the hospital. It's just that a) I'm not good at fundraising; b) Ticino, where that hospital is, still has a far more IT-illiterate cantonal administration than Vaud; c) psychiatrical hospitals have grounded reasons for being wary of the use patients might make of IT, and in this case, quite a few less grounded fears. For instance, when S., a young translator, who was hospitalized for painkillers abuse due to the consequences of a bad car accident, asked me to help her make a digital CV, at first, the nurses in her section of the hospital were very suspicious. Then on the day I decided to tell them I was ready to fully undress for inspection before the lesson with S., they had just decided I could be trusted and they let us work in her room, unsupervised. In the section I was in, it was a bit easier because there are no patients with substance abuse problems there. So the staff soon accepted and encouraged the idea of letting people get the hang of computers. Even the therapy director of the hospital was quite favorable, after a while. But still, the hierarchical structure is complex and heavy - and I should first find the right people who could OK such a project - and the fundraising for it. Best Claude On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 10:44 AM, Marlene Bramley wrote: > Hi there Claude > > I think your example of a "telecentre" is fantastic, it is very important that people are exposed to technology through a person that is informed, gentle and passionate as you seem to be. Now my job would be to find you, give you the funding you need to continue this good work and to supply you with software and hardware that might help you train thousands of people consistently (well if the thought of it does not drive you mad :) > > Kind regards > Marlene > > _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From doramaria at gmail.com Thu Jul 3 06:46:31 2008 From: doramaria at gmail.com (DM Abreu) Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 06:46:31 -0400 Subject: [DDN] Looking for an inspiring online video about teaching In-Reply-To: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <29804141.1214950103685.JavaMail.root@elwamui-ovcar.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: <4f42ee2d0807030346w4e2277b5g693914a508a996fd@mail.gmail.com> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQtwEKlUutA On 7/1/08, pronto30 at earthlink.net wrote: > > Hi everyone, > I'm looking for a relatively brief (no more than 7-8 minutes, could be > shorter) > video that is online. I want to use it to inspire a group of solid, > experienced, > dedicated teachers about their work with kids. It should focus on teaching > in general > - no particular grade level or subject, no particular emphasis on the > future, or > economic competitiveness, or technology. It certainly should have emotional > impact > and provoke positive impulses (not anger or disappointment)- although it > can surely > be funny. > Any ideas? > This is for a teacher professional development project I'm working on. > Thanks very much. I'll post back to the list if I get any responses. > Sincerely, > Jim Lerman > Kean University > _______________________________________________ > DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list > DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net > http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide > To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.netwith the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. > -- ===== DM Abreu P.O. Box 1025 New York, NY 10040 212-561-1493 Voice Mail doramaria at gmail.com or dora at shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://www.swe.org, http://www.nsbe.org http://www.danr.org http://www.hermandad-sia.org http://www.dma-solutions.net http://shorty90.tripod.com/mom.html "Hope for the Best, Be prepared for the Worst" "Life is too short, live a little & laugh" "Happiness is a journey, not a Destination" "When life gives you lemons, Why not make lemonade" "Nothing can dim the light which shines from within" "Shoot for the moon and even if you miss you'll still be among the stars" "No llores por haber perdido el sol, pues las lagrimas no te dejaran ver las estrellas" "Pa'lante como el elefante! Para tras - ni para cojer impulso!" From caprph at yahoo.com Fri Jul 4 05:34:18 2008 From: caprph at yahoo.com (Richwell Phinias) Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 02:34:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide In-Reply-To: <248191.90292.qm@web25802.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <197687.53731.qm@web50410.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi I have seen interesting articles within this list in years. Seeing the progress that has been made by others in this group, i would also want to let open my future plans and hopefully u will consider partnering with me. ? Currently am based in Zimbabwe and has been consulting with NGOs on their Internet Information/Content Development strategies with the highlight of my work being the INternet Strategy of Zimbabwe's Coalition for all NGOs www.nango.org.zw ? I have also worked with rural schools and groups on ICT related projects. ? BUt i am moving to Zambia where field operations can be done. If u have any projects?and products related to bridging the digital divide that you feel i can assist setting up and maintaining while in Zambia please do get in touch. I have also done workshops and seminars on the subject on various platforms in Zimbabwe. u can check my profile through Google. My first paper was Building an Informed Africa: A time to act, delivered in 2003. ? Hope to hear from you guys Richwell Phinias e-Marketing Consultant Dariro Business Solutions just for today, think big! website development, graphic design, e-marketing, ict skills training Website: http://www.dariro.co.zw Cell: 011 539 706 --- On Wed, 7/2/08, Cindy Lemcke-Hoong wrote: From: Cindy Lemcke-Hoong Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 6:29 PM Hello Alan, You wrote: << I told them, they are trying to reach out to the poor (where EFA is trying to reach out to the poor) with rich men's tools/platforms i.e CDs or flash online platforms(requiring online broadband). Any attempt at ICT in mass Education will never work using current tech.>> Well written. That has always been my argument, not just on this platform. Cindy ============= Cindyhoong at gmail.com --- On Wed, 2/7/08, Foo HK wrote: From: Foo HK Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, 2 July, 2008, 6:07 PM Dear Marlene, Thank you for your kind words. As you can see, we are providing a unique solution to close the digital divide using practical technology rather than high tech. I have the opportunity to discuss this in the UNESCO forum about the failure of Technology to close the digital divide and why UNESCO's goal of achieving EFA by 2015 will be a big challenge. I told them, they are trying to reach out to the poor (where EFA is trying to reach out to the poor) with rich men's tools/platforms i.e CDs or flash online platforms(requiring online broadband). Any attempt at ICT in mass Education will never work using current tech. We further have developed a tool to be given free to Ministries of Education and schools to enable any teacher to go to the next level from blackboards to digital enabled saving lots of money in papers and chalks. At the moment we are operating in Malaysia and our Ministry of education has helped us to distribute to their schools free use of our tools and contents especially the rural schools. As for Africa, we met a few finalists of Stockholm Challenge 2008 from Zambia and Uganda and they have expressed interest to introduce our solution to their countries' Ministries of Education. We wish to reach out to Ministries of Education of third world countries to have our tools and contents for free and see how using our solution what normally cost hundreds of millions in software development and distribution would cost pennies! Yes, using our platform,we are able to allow 380 million modules to be downloaded per month for only US5-00 per month! Try that with flash systems or CDs ...not possible. Imagine what the MOE can do and reach for almost nothing universal reach of contents relevent to their country. By being able to reach out to the most remote areas, equitable education can become a reality until now impossible no matter how much any govt spend. If you would look at our site at www.paperlesshomework.com and see the number of contents we are able to provide to the entire Malaysia (or world) and at the cost of less than US30,000 spent so far would give you an idea how our AGE can overcome the digital divide. We are funded by two small Malaysian government grants. We have been encouraged to apply for larger funds for contents development after this grant matures. Since you do come in contact with NGOs all over Africa and sponsored by Microsoft ( we were sponsored by Microsoft Malaysia too ), perhaps you can get them to help us to reach out to schools in their areas to use our contents/tools for free? We can empower their teachers to the next level for free and raise funds for them too. We would be going to China, India and Indonesia which together represent 2.7 billion people ie. nearly half the world population and get their schools to use our AGE to save money and go green by using less paper. This we would achieve in one stroke... 1. A greener world with hundreds of millions of Ambassadors of Mother Earth 2. Bring better access and education to the rural poor 3. Enables these three countries with huge rural poor schools up to rich urban schools.levels for free 4. Empowering teachers with a tool to create their own contents for free 5. Saves hundreds of millions for their government in ICT implementation 6. For the first time ICT in mass Education can work. 7. Ideal for volunteer field workers ...seconds of download ...hours/days of usage Btw we are offering any school registering two free licences for their library and for a teacher. This way we can enable every child access to our contents free. We believe no child should be left behind. This is our contribution to digital divide. Regards Alan --- On Wed, 7/2/08, Marlene Bramley wrote: From: Marlene Bramley Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 12:39 AM Hi there Alan Thank you for bringing up this point:) I agree with you that much talk and little doing is the order of the day when it comes to these issues. What we are doing to bridge the gap is the following: 1. Create a web platform (in this case a collaborative website) where NGOs (who work directly with people that suffer from effects of digital divide) can engage, collaborate and connect - what this means practically for an NGO is the following. They can come to the site, register, read about any one of the following areas: a) how to get ready (e-readiness - why use technology, what to use it for, and where to start); b) get started (this section helps NGO's look at hardware, software, training and support) not only what it is but where to find it either online or offline (ie. refurbished computers and software grants) c) get training (there is a world of online downloadable curriculum out there, the site aims to summarize and provide links for users to gain different levels of skills, from basic computer training to more advanced network maintenance for instance) and lastly www.ngoconnectafrica.org will offer a program of support for users of the site. This means putting a network of support organizations in place to support from hardware to software to online support for more ad hoc issues. The site further offers forums where NGOs can discuss issues and learn from each other, two organizations might be doing exactly the same thing and can exchange knowledge and experiences with each other to promote learning. I think the most important objective should be sustainability when it comes to digital divide issues. One should deliver real value, with real benefit for a sustainable period - and the outcomes should be measured. I like what you are doing on the paperlesshomework site by the way and can see how it contributes to closing the digital divide. Do you have much uptake in Africa? Specifically South Africa? What are your experiences? Marlene Bramley Ngoconnectafrica.org -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Foo HK Sent: 27 June 2008 07:53 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Introductions Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are we taking to close the digital divide. Many people, like global warming tend to talk and talk only but no action. We call them NATO ...No Action Talk Only. In the end, the artic summer would be without ice anyway (latest news)...first time in history there may not be any Artic ice in Summer. Similarly when we are in digital divide, what concrete actions we know of to overcome such other than just talk? Perhaps each member can contribute to this? Alan _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. From sameera.wijerathna at dialog.lk Fri Jul 4 08:58:58 2008 From: sameera.wijerathna at dialog.lk (Sameera Wijerathna) Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 18:28:58 +0530 Subject: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? In-Reply-To: <717445.51582.qm@web62313.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <483EF0D64810104083B2A49E5A1AFEF105D8BC1A@HOFEXHVS1.dialog.dialoggsm.com> Hi Alan/Marlene/Others It is a project done by Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka and funded by the World Bank. I am not directly involved, but I keep a close eye on it. They are going to use XO. XOs will be powered by Linux Contents - A University in Sri Lanka will be developing some contents, and there will be some local language contents as well. They are also trying to upload e-versions of the conventional text books in to the laptop. Best regards, Sameera Wijerathna Team Lead ICT4D Dialog Telekom http://ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Foo HK Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:35 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hello Sameera, I am very interested in your Sri Lanka OLPC project and perhaps you can let us have their site link? Which of the models are you using? Classmate PC , EEE Asus or XO? What OS are you using ? Linux or Win XP? Where do you get the contents available for the OLPC? Are the school level contents available freely for these OLPC? Thanks Alan --- On Mon, 6/30/08, Sameera Wijerathna wrote: From: Sameera Wijerathna Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? To: "The Digital Divide Network discussion group" Date: Monday, June 30, 2008, 8:44 PM Hi Marlene I am Sameera Wijerathna from Sri Lanka (in South Asia). I like to hear from you about the OPLC initiatives in South Africa. Here in Sri Lanka OLPC has created a local foundation called "OLPC Sri Lanka Foundation" and going ahead with Ministry of Education with a pilot project. What is the OLPC status in South Africa? Best regards, Sameera. Sameera Wijerathna Team lead - ICT4D Dialog Telekom www.dialog.lk www.ict4d-in-srilanka.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Marlene Bramley Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 1:03 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi there I find this conversation very interesting, I live and work in South Africa and am involved in a website (under construction as we speak) that aims to promote the use of ICT in non government organizations. As you know Africa has huge challenges when it comes to the digital divide, although our mobile usage (in South Africa) and uptake was one of the fastest in the world, resulting in one of the biggest GSM markets in the world, much of the population is illiterate, don't have access to technology and are unemployed. So very similar to India in a lot of ways. And Ilan on another note, we will be trying to stimulate conversation in much the same way as you mention for the digital divide site (once we are up and running) Experts commenting on issues and researchers using the site to post and learn - so exciting times ahead. More importantly, NGO's using the site to download curriculum and improve their usage of technology - not only in South Africa but in Kenya, Senegal, Ghana as well. If anybody would like to know more in these areas please ask, and conversely please send information you might think is relevant to our side of the world. Thanks Marlene Bramley NGOConnect Africa -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Janet Salmons Sent: 26 June 2008 06:22 PM To: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Thanks Ismael! I am interested in the whole wide world! One of the main reasons people choose online research is to reach participants across the globe. Ismael should know-- he participated in my study about collaborative e-learning and made an extremely valuable contribution by telling me about the Campus for Peace. With no travel funds, I would not have been able to include his exemplary work in my study.... Janet -----Original Message----- From: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] On Behalf Of Ismael Pe?a-L?pez Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:26 AM To: 'The Digital Divide Network discussion group' Subject: Re: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hi Janet, Don't know whether you want your data for the US or for the whole World. The main sources about access to ICTs are the following: ITU: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Eye http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_Statistics The World Bank: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=ICT_at_a_Glance_Tables The OECD: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD_Key_ICT_Indicators http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=OECD.Stat The European Union (very good data and might be a good proxy for the US): http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Eurostat The World Economic Forum: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Networked_Readiness_Index (see a longer list here: http://ictlogy.net/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Data_ICT) For the US, and for such specific data as you ask for, I'd rather point you to the Pew Internet & American Life Project (http://www.pewinternet.org) which often issue interesting reports on different surveys about ICT usage and so. Good luck! Ismael Pe?a-L?pez ICTlogy.net Public Policies for Development and ICT4D School of Law and Political Science Open University of Catalonia -----Mensaje original----- De: digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net [mailto:digitaldivide-bounces at digitaldivide.net] En nombre de Janet Salmons Enviado el: jueves, 26 de junio de 2008 17:10 Para: digitaldivide at digitaldivide.net Asunto: [DDN] Divide status-- latest numbers? Hello everyone, I am working on a book "Online Interviews in Real Time," about online research, specifically, conducting scholarly interviews using synchronous technologies. Of course access by a wide range of participants is a critical issue for researchers. Where can I locate the most current numbers for access, by demographic group? I'm also interested in whether there are current numbers about access by mobile phones/handheld devices; and/or access in public settings such as community centers, libraries or cafes. Thanks! Janet PS If you are an online researcher, I'd be interested to hear about your research design and approach, so feel free to contact me off list. Janet E. Salmons, Ph.D. VISION2LEAD, INC. PO Box 943 Boulder, CO 80306-0943 Site- http://www.vision2lead.com Organizational Perspectives Community - http://www.organizationalperspectives.org Blog for educators- http://blog.elearn2lead.com Blog for learners- http://belearner.elearn2lead.com/ _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________ No viruses found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE at digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to digitaldivide-request at digitaldivide.net 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 digitaldivide.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. ********************************************************************************************** This e-mail is confidential. 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The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions. ********************************************************************************************** From project.educate1 at gmail.com Sat Jul 5 01:01:40 2008 From: project.educate1 at gmail.com (Project EDUCATE) Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:01:40 +0300 Subject: [DDN] Introductions what we do and how we contribute to close digital divide In-Reply-To: <197687.53731.qm@web50410.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <248191.90292.qm@web25802.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> <197687.53731.qm@web50410.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <57923cb20807042201q216fccbfj102829d12c6f77a5@mail.gmail.com> Richwell Phinias, Just saw you post and wanted to make contact. I run a non-profit that does educational work in Zambia with an emphasis on the digital divide. We currently have a team from Carnegie Mellon visiting who are field testing both the reading and Braille tutors with our community partners. We are very much interested in further exploring ways in which we can engage relevant technologies as well as make practical use of technology to address issues in the context in which they exist in communities. Among other things, we are currently looking into internet access, open source technology and all of that good stuff. Very much interested in hearing more about your work and exploring possibilities for synergies. Please