Below are some details for a unique course I will soon be teaching on ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development).

The Masters and Ph.D. students taking this course will be from and located in different places around the world (Africa, Asia, Europe, …) and I will be teaching it while traveling myself (from Europe to North America, down to South America, back to Europe and on to Africa – Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda and Senegal).

We will be meeting through online conferencing software (e.g. Skype), deliver and receive content through ICT4D YouTube videos, online articles, and good-old-fashioned books, – discussing concepts through webinars, asynchronous discussion groups and blog conversations.

The combination of our various locations and activities should give us a very hands-on, practical view of the state of ICT4D (current opportunities and challenges) – including where we can collectively take it from here.

The course will be offered in cooperation of the partnership of the University of Joensuu, Finland, IMPDET program (International Multidisciplinary PhD Studies in Educational Technology) and the UniPID-network (the Finnish Universities’ Partnership for International Development).

Here is my intro to the class:

More detailed info on the course follows…

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(Tietotekniikan globaalit vaikutukset)

Preliminary information:
Note 1! Course will start 16.3. 2009.
Note 2! Register by emailing to Clint Rogers (clint.rogers2008(et)gmail.com)
Note 3! The course is advanced/graduate level course (5 ECTS) – really looking for excellent students to participate

Content

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with topics related to Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). The course concentrates on the challenges and opportunities of ICTs for developing countries. Themes of the course include the basics of ICT4D, current discussion regarding the role of ICT in different contextual environments, the social impacts on ICT development and use, writing up ICT4D case studies, and evaluation of ICT4D projects.

Objectives

After the course the students should have a general understanding of context related issues of ICT4D, be able to identify the basic needs of ICT in different environments, and be more aware if the local challenges of ICT in development.

Methods

Students will be expected to participate in online seminars (with some guest presenters), lead online discussions, study online materials and required readings, ask powerful questions, contribute to collaboratively finding innovative solutions, complete activating writing and/or programming development assignments, and contribute content (videos, stories, case studies, code, articles, etc) to a digital learning environment.

Timetable

Starting seminar 16 March at 14:00-16:00 (UTC/GMT+2) through Skype.
Ending seminar approximately 22 May at 10:00-12:00 (UTC/GMT+2).

Registration

Pre-register by emailing instructor (address below).

Required Materials

In addition to utilizing online resources, you will be required to purchase two books for this course:

1. ICT4D: Information and Communication Technology for Development, edited by Tim Unwin, (ISBN-13: 9780521712361 – image above) (http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521712361), andWhite Man's Burden
2. The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good, by William Easterly (http://www.amazon.com/White-Mans-Burden-Efforts-Little/dp/0143038826)

More Information:
For any questions or to register, please contact the instructor: P. Clint Rogers, Ph.D.
Skype name: clint2008