What is an ICT4D Solution in International Development?
An ICT4D Solution is the use of digital tools in international development programs to accelerate social and economic advancement of poor and marginalized communities. ICT4D Solutions can support education, health, agriculture, economic goals using innovative technologies or methodologies. The Principles of Digital Development guide development professionals in successful local project interventions and national program deployments.
Examples of ICT4D Solutions
Please find below an ever-expanding list of successful ICT4D Solutions deployed by international development practitioners and humanitarian relief agencies.
ICT in Primary Schools are Learning Tools, Not Tools to be Learned
As teachers at a primary school in the Kisongo district of Arusha, Tanzania huddled into their computer lab, they quietly scoffed at me. What can a twenty-something...
We can achieve 300% increases in literacy test scores for just $5 per student
I am Richard Rowe and I have, for the first time that I am aware of, valid and reliable evidence of substantial improvements in basic literacy in a developing...
Avoiding the Digital Divide Hype in Using Mobile Phones for Development
To all of you digital divide warriors out there – nice work. With over 483 million mobile phone subscriptions in low-income countries – an estimated 44.9%...
School Curriculum Should Drive Computer Use in Tanzanian Education Systems
Over the course of the past semester, I teamed up with fellow RPI IT student, Lorena Nicotra, to develop a project that would promote curriculum-driven technology...
Are Mobile Phones and mLearning Failing in Education?
Recently, Tim Unwin was featured in the lengthy article, “Are mobiles failing the world of education?” The reporter noted that specialists are having...
10 Guidelines for Starting Your Independent ICT4D Project
There is an infamous Catch-22 in starting a career in information and communications for technology. In order to earn a job in ICT4D, I need to have experience....
Libraries: the Dirty but Effective Word in Public Access to ICT
Back when Bill Gates was young, he had multiple opportunities to geek out – he had access to computers at home and at school – but he would sneak out...
The Rise of the Voluntary Humanitarian Technologist in Disaster Response
Excerpt from Volunteer Technology Communities: Open Development
2010 redefined the role of volunteers during humanitarian emergencies and disaster risk management....
Open Call for Submissions: What are the Greatest Challenges in Promoting Literacy with ICT?
Last month, we had a great Educational Technology Debate on the theme of What ICT can improve reading skills of learners in primary schools? Five solutions were...
ICT must be used in improving the employability of youth
The use of ICT to strengthen youth employability in the developing world ought to be pursued vigorously. To be clear: ICTs aren’t the only route to improving...