Exploring new modalities
Writing by admin on Friday, 5 of January , 2007 at 4:02 am
Exploring New Modalities: Experiences with Information and Communications Technology Interventions in the Asia-Pacific Region - A Review and Analysis of the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme.
Author: Michael Dougherty
The Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme for Asia-Pacific is directed at encouraging original and innovative ICT solutions to development problems. This publication reviews and analyzes 56 projects from 14 different countries funded by the Programme between 2002-2005. Projects are focused on access to information and communication; capacity building and education; policy and social research; technical innovation; environment and agriculture; and health and medicine.
The following is an excerpt from the publication that focuses on the work of the etuktuk project thus far. To download the pdf click here.
Piloting Mobile ICT Access Models, Sri Lanka
Objective
The objective of this project is to explore new models of access, creation and dissemination of a range of locally relevant content.
Research Context
This pilot project provides a framework for extending community radio and multimedia to incorporate a mobile ICT unit that delivers cost-effective access to relevant information and knowledge that can help reduce poverty and isolation in remote communities of the developing world. The Kothmale Community Radio website will be extended by
incorporating a web-based community information, communications and knowledge management system. In order to effectively address poverty, software tools provide a gateway allowing communities to access knowledge sources and services that are tailored to their own information and communication needs.
Target Beneficiaries
The mobile design of the project provides access to information in remote areas of the Kothmale region that can help improve the lives and livelihoods of all members of the community, including its 17 schools, numerous
businesses and other organizations. Project partners, governments and NGOs can use the results to understand the potential of mobile ICT solutions and to explore new models of access to locally relevant content.
Outputs
- A working model for a mobile multipurpose community telecentre and radio unit;
- An increase in social capital, skills and capacity; and
- A localized information and knowledge-sharing portal.
Research Results and Outcomes
This project explores methods for extending the role of community radio and telecentres to deliver ICT content directly at the village level. Ethnographic Action Research that preceded the development of the mobile prototype identified a variety of factors that hinder the ability to access the Kothmale Community Telecentre facilities. Limited local transport and an unreliable and overcrowded bus system were highlighted as the major factors that limit accessibility to the centre. The cost of training programmes is also problematic. To cover its costs and to ensure its financial viability, the centre must charge fees for training programmes; even when these fees remain low, many people in the area still cannot afford the
services. The survey also revealed that community members questioned the relevance of technology to the community.
Contributing to this perhaps is the fact that the amount of Internet content available in Sinhalese is very low and what is available is tailored to the urban elite in Colombo. In response to research results, the project concentrated on the development of an appropriate model for mobile distribution of content – the eTUKTUK. This is a self-contained mobile telecentre and radio broadcasting unit housed within a Tuk-Tuk, or three-wheeled motorcycle, a favoured form of transport
common throughout South Asia. A laptop computer is located inside the vehicle, as is a battery-operated printer, camera, telephone and scanner. Internet connectivity is provided via a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-enabled wireless connection and electricity is provided via a generator, which in turn charges a battery that is used to provide additional
power for short periods of time. A roof rack allows the vehicle to carry other equipment such as the Kothmale Community Radio Station’s mobile broadcasting unit. Narrowcasting of radio programmes is achieved via two loud speakers mounted to the roof rack. This system is used to announce the telecentre’s presence when it arrives in a village or designated location. The weekly route of the eTUKTUK is broadcast over the radio to inform the listeners about the location and the time
that it will arrive in their community. The project faced a number of early setbacks relating to the acquisition of a license to broadcast using wireless technologies. While this application is still pending, the project has successfully adapted to CDMA technology. This is not ideal, as the community does not own the network; however an agreement has been signed with a commercial telecommunications company to provide access to their network free of charge. With the e-TUKTUK complete and a broadcasting solution in place, project operations have turned to focus on capacity building of the Kothmale Community Multimedia Centre facilities and staff. A number of content production workshops and training sessions have been held and more are planned for the future. Partnerships have been formed with the Sri Lankan government’s ICT Agency.
Researchers and staff of the telecentre have participated in several regional conferences where they have shared their experiences and gained knowledge and skills from their counterparts in UNESCO-supported Community Multimedia and Learning Centres throughout South and South East Asia. The project recently joined a UNESCO-supported
three-year research project entitled ‘Finding a Voice’. The project has received substantial press attention both locally and globally.
Project Duration
Start Date: October 2005
End Date: January 2008
Total Duration: 27 Months
Contact Information
Sunil Wijesinghe, President
Kothmale Internet Listeners Club
Riverside, Mawathura, VIA Gampola
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 81 235 0422
Mobile: +94 77 910 1787
E-mail: info AT kothmale DOTorg
Websites
http://www.kothmale.org
http://www.etuktuk.net
http://www.nanasala.lk
To view the publication click here.
Category: press
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