| Lessons
from the Field: Distance Education
Digital Dividend Analysis, June 2004.
Education is instrumental in ensuring that future generations'
leaders are well-informed and competent. Unfortunately, because
the quality of education varies so greatly between regions,
the school systems of developing countries often fail to deliver
the level of education necessary to ensure such competency.
As a way to combat this trend, some developing country schools
are using information and communications technology (ICT)
to participate in distance learning. Distance learning is
any education characterized by interaction between agents
in geographically remote locations. This analysis examines
how ICTs are being applied to distance learning in poor communities
throughout the developing world.
Vidya,
India
Mayank Dhanuka, Dan Price, and Warren Teichner.
Digital Dividend Business Case Study, August 2003.
Vidya, Hindi for “knowledge,” is a computer literacy
program run by Aptech Ltd. aimed at reaching underprivileged
students, casual computer users, and retirees. The course
is profitable and has increased Aptech’s market share
in the IT training/education market in India, opened new markets,
and helped to pave the way for increased international expansion.
The success of Vidya has been based on a replicable and effective
business model, a highly motivated management and franchise
team, and excellent course material.
Datamation's
Train-and-Hire Program
Digital Dividend "Quick Look" Case Study,
April 2003.
In India, low literacy rates, traditional gender roles, and
lack of marketable skills can make it difficult for women
to find good jobs. Datamation Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is partnering
with local nonprofits to provide disadvantaged women with
the training they need to enter India's burgeoning IT economy-and
then recruiting them for full-time jobs within the company.
CONEXIONES:
Technological Learning Environment
Digital Dividend Project Spotlight Feature,
March 2002.
The CONEXIONES model for integrating ICT into the classroom
has transformed education in 75 schools in 4 Colombian provinces
thus far. The experience is now spreading to more schools,
and into the communities at large. Versión
en español
Sappi
Kwa-Dukuza Resource Centre
Digital Dividend Project Spotlight Feature, February 2002.
IT is a critical part of paper and pulp company Sappi's efforts
to help build a skilled human resource base for the economy
of South Africa. Its Kwa-Dukuza Resource Centre has been recognized
as an effective model for corporate philanthropic initiatives
to bridge the digital divide.
NairoBits
Kenya
Digital Dividend Project Spotlight Feature, December 2001.
What was originally a one-year training course designed and
organized in Amsterdam has developed into a full-fledged, local
organization-NairoBits Kenya-providing kids from Nairobi slums
with Webmaster training and the job work they need to make it
pay off.
GLOW Centres
Digital Dividend Project Spotlight Feature, November 2001.
GLOW is using a for-profit business model to provide vocational
and Internet training to underprivileged youth, free of charge.
Students at GLOW's pilot center in the Philippines boasted a
pass rate of 85% on the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority accreditation exam, and three have secured full-time
employment.
Studies in Information
Technology Applications (SITA)
Digital Dividend Project Spotlight Feature, November 2001.
Since 1999, SITA has trained 448 needy Indian women in computer
skills. The project's experience has caused its managers to
begin to expand its focus, from learning to learning-cum-earning.
To this end, SITA is set to evolve into a women's co-operative
that will contract work from the marketplace.
What
Works: Educar's Strategy for a Nation Connected & Learning
Norissa
Giangola. Digital Dividend Business Case Study, July
2001.
A novel public-private partnership centered around connectivity
and the Internet, Educ.ar could transform education in Argentina.
Click here for an executive
summary
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