Practical Insights on Mobile Phones

How can mobile phones help poor people?

Mobile phones can be used in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development) to help poor people.

Mobile phones can be a powerful tool for promoting development and improving the lives of people in developing countries, by providing access to information, opportunities, and services. For example:

  • Healthcare: Mobile phones can be used to access health information and services, including telemedicine and other remote healthcare services. This can help to improve access to healthcare, especially for people in remote or underserved areas.
  • Education: Mobile phones can be used to access educational resources, including online courses, educational videos, and other materials. This can help to improve the quality of education and expand opportunities for learning.
  • Employment: Mobile phones can be used to find and apply for jobs, as well as connect with potential employers and clients. They can also be used to start and run businesses, providing a source of income and economic opportunities.
  • Communication: Mobile phones can be used to stay connected with friends and family, and to access news and information from around the world. They can also facilitate the exchange of ideas and facilitate collaboration with others.
  • Political participation: Mobile phones can provide a platform for people to engage in political discourse and participate in the democratic process, helping to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
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Published on: Sep 15 2016 by Wayan Vota - 11 Comments
Pretty much every day, I hear the same failure refrain repeated again and again, “We gave away 50-100 smartphones for our mobile project.” Why is this...
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Published on: Mar 14 2016 by Steve Vosloo - 1 Comment
The 2016 UNESCO Mobile Learning Week kicked off last Monday with a webinar entitled Innovation and quality: Two sides of the same coin? The virtual event, held...
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Published on: Dec 21 2015 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 7 Tips for Better Digital M&E in Sustainable Development
With the landmark UN Sustainable Development Summit over, the discussion is now shifting to the question of how to operationalize the 17 ambitious goals in the...
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Published on: Nov 04 2015 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on What Are Dell, Micromax Informatics, and Others Doing in ICT4D?
While the rapid development of information and other technologies has brought the world closer together, it has also contributed to highlighting some of the glaring...
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Published on: Nov 02 2015 by Guest Writer - 2 Comments
With the recent announcement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for the next fifteen years, it’s clear that there will be more intense scrutiny on organizations...
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Published on: Oct 29 2015 by Matt Haikin - 4 Comments
M&E is lame…  As is MEL, MERL, MEAL, PME, and PM&E. Why do we do M&E?  To improve our work surely; but how do we improve? By learning what works,...
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Published on: Sep 30 2015 by Wayan Vota - 15 Comments
A year ago, I predicted that Myanmar would be a smartphone only country. I saw the confluence of cheap smartphones, savvy people, and innovative mobile network...
Are Smartphones Making SMS Projects Obsolete?

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Published on: Sep 21 2015 by Guest Writer - 3 Comments
Are SMS projects still relevant? Are toll-free phone numbers still needed? As more and more people in developing countries have access to cheap smartphones and...
10 Myths About Girls’ Empowerment and Mobile Learning

10 Myths About Girls’ Empowerment and Mobile Learning

Published on: Sep 09 2015 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on 10 Myths About Girls’ Empowerment and Mobile Learning
I had the chance to share some thoughts at UNESCO’s recent Mobile Learning Week. My presentation explored some myths about girls empowerment and mobile learning...
Top Tips for Converting Paper Forms to Digital Mobile Forms

Top Tips for Converting Paper Forms to Digital Mobile Forms

Published on: Sep 07 2015 by Guest Writer - 4 Comments
As mobile data collection tools become more user-friendly and smartphones/tablets become more affordable, international development practitioners are increasingly...