scholarly journals Evaluating ICT Adoption in Rural Brazil: A Quantitative Analysis of Telecenters as Agents of Social Change

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Prado ◽  
Mauro Araújo Câmara ◽  
Marco Aurélio de Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Mountain Communities ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Information And Communication

This quantitative study surveyed 538 adults in isolated rural settings in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to examine whether telecenters operated by the non-profit organization Gems of the Earth in the area improve digital literacy and promote social change in those remote mountain communities. Using multivariate logistic regression, the study examined how individuals use information and communication technologies (ICTs) at the telecenter, and tested for predictors of their use. The findings confirm that these rural communities use ICTs for entertainment, to engage in civic participation, and to practice professional skills. Results also indicate greater odds of ICT use among individuals aged 18 to 24 and among those who seek diversion. The findings suggest that digital inclusion impacts these isolated communities by creating opportunities for entertainment, civic engagement, professional development, and education in ways that may positively impact human development.

scholarly journals Perceptions of ICT use in rural Brazil: Factors that impact appropriation among marginalized communities

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Prado ◽  
J. Alejandro Tirado-Alcaraz ◽  
Mauro Araújo Câmara
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Mountain Communities ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Las Mujeres

This study of digital inclusion among the rural poor examines how residents of remote mountain communities in Brazil perceive the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). It analyzes social factors that impact ICT appropriation and the behaviors and attitudes that advance digital literacy among marginalized rural populations. The authors conducted factor analysis and logistic regressions to survey data collected. Results confirm the presence of a gender divide in ICT adoption. Women were more likely to perceive that ICT use brings social benefits to the community, and considered that ICTs provide better opportunities for the young.Este estudio sobre inclusión digital entre los pobres en comunidades rurales examina cómo es que los residentes de comunidades serranas remotas en Brasil perciben el uso de la las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TICs). Analiza los factores sociales que impactan la apropiación de TIC, así como el comportamiento y las actitudes que permiten el avance de la alfabetización digital en poblaciones rurales marginalizadas. Los autores realizaron un análisis factorial y regresiones logísticas de la información recolectada a través de encuestas. Los resultados confirman la presencia de una brecha de género en la adopción de TIC. Las mujeres son más propensas a percibir que el uso de ICT trae beneficios sociales para la comunidad, y también consideraron que las TICs proporcionan mejores oportunidades para los jóvenes.

scholarly journals Exclusão / Inclusão: elementos para uma discussão | Exclusion/inclusion: elements for a debate

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseilda Sampaio Souza ◽  
Maria Helena Silveira Bonilla
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
De Se ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Meaning Attribution

Resumo O contexto contemporâneo é marcado pela presença das tecnologias da informação e comunicação, o que potencializam a circulação de informações, a comunicação, novas formas de trabalhar, se relacionar, de aprender e de construir conhecimento. Daí decorre a necessidade de apropriação e uso dessas tecnologias, de se pensar processos de significação, aprendizagem, cidadania, produção de cultura e conhecimento. Assim,  tomando como referência alguns conceitos mapeados relacionados à inclusão digital, buscamos pontuar definir tais conceitos na perspectiva de diferentes autores, de forma a trazer elementos para discussão das questões que perpassam este tema considerado tão complexo.  Palavras-chave Exclusão / inclusão digital, inclusão social, alfabetização digital, acesso e cidadaniaAbstract Our contemporary context is marked by the presence of information and communication technologies, which increase the potential of the the flow of information, communication, new ways of working, to relate, to learn and build knowledge. The need follows for appropriation and use of these technologies, as well as for thinking about processes of meaning attribution, learning, citizenship, culture and production of knowledge. Thus, we refer to some concepts mapped related to digital inclusion, from the perspective of different authors, in order to provide elements for discussion of the issues that permeate this complex subject.Keywords Exclusion / digital inclusion, social inclusion, digital literacy, access and citizenship

From Drift to Draft

2012 ◽  
pp. 83-94
Author(s):  
Roxana Georgiana Radu
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Access Problem ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Global Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Digital Gap

The global digital divide, denoting the patterns of uneven distribution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide, emerged as a constant concern during the last two decades. Going beyond the minimal requirements of physical connectivity, it points to an underlying concern of digital inclusion differentials of citizens in developing countries, the so-called “information poor.” This chapter aims at addressing this with reference to the international institutional structures and their current efforts. After assessing the categories of people that are affected the most by the digital gap and the range of opportunities available to them in the context of globalization, special attention will be given to the overlapping concerns shaping the international agenda with regard to ICT adoption. The creation of international bodies such as Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP), Digital Opportunity Taskforce (DOT), and Information for Development Program (InfoDev) will be discussed together with the redefinition of the digital access problem as a ”universal service” and the emergence of specific endeavors for reducing global digital inequalities.

Digital Inclusion and Computational Thinking

2016 ◽  
pp. 124-137
Author(s):  
Walter Teixeira Lima Jr. ◽  
Rafael Vergili
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Network Access ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Constant Change ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Professional

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) brought new players to an environment that subverts industrial logic of communication, visibility and representation. The issue of digital inclusion is still latent, especially in developing countries, such as Brazil. However, with initiatives that facilitate access to technological innovations and ever cheaper devices, possession, remixing and distribution of information are no longer exclusive to large companies or mass media vehicles. Anyone with network access and knowledge about certain topics can generate content for various parts of the world. In this context of constant change, the media professional is faced with new challenges and, in order to gain competitive advantage in the labor market or in the academic environment needs to more adequately understand the technological environment in which he/she is inserted, topics that are discussed under the prism of computational thinking and digital literacy concepts, possible foundations for new paths of his/her activities.

Digital Inclusion and Computational Thinking

2017 ◽  
pp. 759-773
Author(s):  
Walter Teixeira Lima Jr. ◽  
Rafael Vergili
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Network Access ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Constant Change ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Professional

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) brought new players to an environment that subverts industrial logic of communication, visibility and representation. The issue of digital inclusion is still latent, especially in developing countries, such as Brazil. However, with initiatives that facilitate access to technological innovations and ever cheaper devices, possession, remixing and distribution of information are no longer exclusive to large companies or mass media vehicles. Anyone with network access and knowledge about certain topics can generate content for various parts of the world. In this context of constant change, the media professional is faced with new challenges and, in order to gain competitive advantage in the labor market or in the academic environment needs to more adequately understand the technological environment in which he/she is inserted, topics that are discussed under the prism of computational thinking and digital literacy concepts, possible foundations for new paths of his/her activities.

scholarly journals Infrastructural and Social Aspects of ICT Dissemination in Rural Areas in Ukraine in Juxtaposition with Other Post-Transition Countries—State of Play and Prospects for Rural Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Synowiec
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Transition Countries ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Information And Communication

The objective of this study is to identify the current state of, and the prospects for, information and communication technologies (ICT) dissemination in rural areas in Ukraine in juxtaposition with other post-transition countries. The spread of ICT is discussed within the frame of economic, infrastructural, and social factors affecting rural areas in Ukraine since the post-communist transition period. Information and communication technologies may support the socio-economic development of peripheral areas in many ways—including rural ones. Dissemination of ICT contributes to the emergence of sources of income, equalizes education opportunities, and increases the attractiveness of rural areas. However, the rural—urban divide in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and other former USSR countries is still remarkable and, as a type of structural inequality, should be better recognized. The source material is based on secondary data, which consists of selected literature on the subject of rural development in Central and Eastern European Countries, strategic documents, available reports and studies of international institutions, research from agencies, state documents and statistics, and research conducted by international and domestic NGOs. In reference to the paper’s objective, the method of content analysis was employed. Dissemination of ICT in rural areas in Ukraine is influenced by two groups of factors. The infrastructural divide concerning Internet access between rural and urban populations in Ukraine has been diminishing, but the issue of structural exclusion due to place of residence has still not been solved. As far as the social aspects of ICT dissemination in rural areas in Ukraine are concerned, the level of digital literacy among rural dwellers is significantly lower in comparison to urban residents. Rural areas are more exposed to the consequences of various aspects of digital exclusion.

How nonprofits use Facebook to craft infrastructure

First Monday ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libby Hemphill ◽  
A.J. Million ◽  
Ingrid Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Technology Choice ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Moral Economies ◽  
Task Technology Fit

We present findings from interviews with 23 individuals affiliated with non-profit organizations (NPOs) to understand how they deploy information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their civic engagement efforts. Existing research about NPO ICT use is often critical, but we did not find evidence that NPOs fail to use tools effectively. Rather, we detail how NPOs assemble various ICTs to create infrastructures that align with their values. Overall, we find that existing theories about technology choice (e.g., task-technology fit, uses and gratifications) do not explain the assemblages NPOs describe. We argue that the infrastructures they fashion can be explained through the lens of moral economies rather than utility. Together, the rhetorics of infrastructure and moral economies capture the motivations and constraints our participants expressed and challenge how prevailing theories of ICT use describe the non-profit landscape.

scholarly journals Influence of information and communication technologies on decentralization of organizational structure

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mladen Cudanov ◽  
Ondrej Jasko ◽  
Milos Jevtic
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Modern Literature ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Information And Communication

This paper presents research on influence of information and communication technologies on decentralization of organizational structure. An empirical research was conducted, in which decentralization was described by dominant management style was compared to the level of composite index of ICT adoption. Also, consulting experience in four major Serbian companies was used to further elaborate and explain the results in the context of modern literature and practice. Conclusions were that ICT adoption is more frequently expressed in decentralized companies, empirically described by dominant liberal style of management, although ICT adoption can also lead to centralization in some cases, depending on other factors in the organization.

scholarly journals Inclusão digital via acessibilidade web | Digital inclusion via web accessibility

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesar Augusto Cusin ◽  
Silvana Aparecida Borsetti Gregorio Vidotti
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Web Accessibility ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
New Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Science Information

Resumo A natureza atual da web, que destaca a participação colaborativa dos usuários em diversos ambientes informacionais digitais, conduz ao desenvolvimento de diretrizes que enfocam a arquitetura da informação digital inclusiva para diferentes públicos nas mais diversas ambiências informacionais. A pesquisa propõe e objetiva um ambiente informacional digital inclusivo, visando apontar os elementos de acessibilidade que permitam a promoção da inclusão informacional digital, de forma a destacar os referenciais da Arquitetura da Informação Digital, de recomendações internacionais, com o olhar da Ciência da Informação e das novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TIC).Palavras-chave inclusão digital; web; acessibilidade; ciência da informação; arquitetura da informação.Abstract The current nature of the web, which highlights the collaborative participation of users in various digital informational environments, leads to the development of guidelines that focus on the digital inclusive information architecture for different audiences in diverse informational environments. The study proposes an inclusive digital information environment, aiming to establish the elements of accessibility that  enable the promotion of digital inclusion information in order to highlight the references of digital information architecture, the international recommendations, with the perspective of Information Science and the new information and communication technologies (ICT).Keywords digital inclusion; web; accessibility; information science; information architecture.

scholarly journals A inclusão digital no ensino de Ciências: analisando laboratórios virtuais de aprendizagem

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Jaime Leal ◽  
Lenira Maria Nunes Sepel
Keyword(s):  
Science Teaching ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Objects ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Learning Labs

Resumo: Os Laboratórios Virtuais de Aprendizagem (LVA) são páginas web, softwares ou CD-ROM que contêm um conjunto de objetos de aprendizagem, os quais possibilitam a realização de atividades experimentais, preferencialmente, através da simulação de equipamentos, materiais e variáveis. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de descrever características relevantes para que um LVA auxilie o processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Ciências. Para isso, foram selecionados 30 artigos científicos, publicados entre 2001 e 2015, que aplicaram LVA no Ensino de Ciências, compreendendo as três subáreas: Biologia, Física e Química. Esses artigos abrangeram três idiomas (Espanhol, Inglês e Português) e foram selecionados por apresentarem pesquisa de opinião dos usuários e/ou avaliação da aprendizagem dos alunos após o uso do LVA. Analisou-se os LVA quanto a conteúdo abordado, nível de ensino a que foi destinado, recursos didáticos disponíveis, formato, metodologia empregada na sua aplicação e tipo de avaliação a que foi submetido (opinião do usuário e/ou aprendizagem dos alunos). Desta forma, a partir da opinião dos usuários (alunos e professores), bem como das concepções dos autores dos trabalhos analisados, identificou-se que determinadas características são consideradas relevantes para um LVA facilitar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Ciências. Dentre elas, destacam-se: apresentar o conteúdo teórico de forma clara e sucinta; ser fácil de usar para promover a inclusão digital de seus usuários; ser atrativo e interativo para despertar o interesse e motivação dos alunos, bem como a comunicação entre seus usuários; apresentar vários métodos avaliativos para acompanhar o processo de aprendizagem dos alunos.Palavras-chave: Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação. Atividades práticas experimentais. Laboratório Virtual de Aprendizagem.  DIGITAL INCLUSION IN SCIENCE TEACHING: ANALYZING VIRTUAL LEARNING LABORATORIESAbstract: Virtual Learning Labs (LVA) are web pages, softwares or CD-ROM which contain a set of learning objects which allow carrying out experimental activities, preferably through simulation of equipment, materials and variables. This work was conducted with the aim of describing relevant features for which a LVA helps the process of teaching and learning of Science. For this purpose, 30 scientific articles have been selected, published between 2001 and 2015, applied LVA in Science Teaching, comprising three sub areas: Biology, Physics and Chemistry. These articles covered three languages (Spanish, English and Portuguese) and were selected for containing users opinion survey and/or learning evaluation of the students after using LVA. LVA was analyzed relating to the content, teaching level to what it was intended, available didactic resources, format, used methodology in your application and type of assessment to that it was submitted (opinion of the user and/or students' learning). In this way, from the opinion of users (students and teachers), as well as the authors' conceptions of analyzed works, it was identified that certain characteristics are considered relevant for LVA facilitates the process of teaching and learning Science. Among these features it can be highlighted: to introduce the theoretical content in a clear and succinct way; to be easy to use to promote digital inclusion of users; to be attractive and interactive to awaken students’ interest and motivation, as well as the communication between their users; to introduce several evaluation methods to monitor the learning process of the students.Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies. Practical experimental activities. Virtual Learning Lab.

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