Practical Insights on Technology for ICT4D Projects

How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?

How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?

Published on: Sep 05 2012 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on How Can We Use Mobile Devices for Youth Workforce Development?
This week the mEducation Alliance* will host its second symposium, bringing together institutions and organizations that are interested in and/or supporting...
Thankfully, ICT4D is Now About Strategy and Implementations, Not Technovelty

Thankfully, ICT4D is Now About Strategy and Implementations, Not Technovelty

Published on: Aug 15 2012 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Just like any other industry, the ICT for Development (ICT4D) field has experienced significant shifts. As major international development stakeholders have begun...
Does a 40% breakage rate for Kindles in Africa matter?

Does a 40% breakage rate for Kindles in Africa matter?

Published on: Aug 13 2012 by Wayan Vota - 5 Comments
Recently, I was sharing one of the more striking results from the USAID-funded WorldReader e-Reader Ghana Pilot assessment that should give anyone in ICT4D pause: E-reader...
This is the single biggest success (or failure) factor in ICT4E

This is the single biggest success (or failure) factor in ICT4E

Published on: Aug 08 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on This is the single biggest success (or failure) factor in ICT4E
I am Jonathan Nalder and I want to remind you of a concept made famous by early Star Trek episodes where any character wearing a ‘red shirt’ was...
5 mEducation Lessons Learned in BridgeIT Tanzania

5 mEducation Lessons Learned in BridgeIT Tanzania

Published on: Aug 03 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 5 mEducation Lessons Learned in BridgeIT Tanzania
I am Samuel Suraphel and I’ve found that the benefits of technology to enhance learning, particularly in underserved communities, have not always been...
What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?

What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?

Published on: Aug 01 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on What is the development impact of .Africa and other changes in the online world?
Recently, ICANN, the organization that controls the Internet naming system, made it possible for groups to apply for new gTLDs (names to the right of the dot, like...
Are WiFi-only tablets and mobile devices impractical in hotspot-starved African countries?

Are WiFi-only tablets and mobile devices impractical in hotspot-starved African countries?

Published on: Jul 30 2012 by Wayan Vota - 6 Comments
One disappointment with the new Google Nexus 7 tablet is the lack of 3G connectivity. It only has WiFi and some people wonder if that makes it impractical in developing...
The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers

The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers

Published on: Jul 27 2012 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Mobile Learning Toolkit for ICT4D Trainers
The Mobile Learning Toolkit is the result of research into mobile phone use and user needs within the African context, however it has been developed for use in all...
Celebrate the IDEOS vs. Samsung $100 Smartphone Price War in Kenya

Celebrate the IDEOS vs. Samsung $100 Smartphone Price War in Kenya

Published on: Jul 20 2012 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Lucky Kenyans. They are benefiting from an ongoing $100 smartphone price war between IDEOS and Samsung. On one side, you have the Huawei IDEOS U8150, which...
Better than “Smart Handpumps” are Empowered Handpump Users

Better than “Smart Handpumps” are Empowered Handpump Users

Published on: Jul 13 2012 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Every so often, I see ICT4D projects that have way over-thought their solution, going for whiz-bang technology over simpler, human solutions. Here is an example...