Title: Orality-Grounded HCID: Understanding the Oral User
Authors: Jahanzeb Sherwani, Nosheen Ali, Carolyn Penstein Rosé, Roni Rosenfeld
Pages: 13 pp.
ISSN: 1544-7529
Source: Information Technologies & International Development; Volume 5, Number 4, Winter 2009, 37–49, (Special Issue: HCI4D)
Publisher: USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
Date (published): 17/12/2009
Date (accessed): 18/12/2009
Type of information: peer-reviewed article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
While human-computer interaction (HCI) methodologies are designed to be general, they have most often been applied in the context of literate end users in the West. These methodologies may, however, need rethinking for application in HCI for the developing world (HCID) contexts, where many of the basic assumptions that underpin the methods may not always hold true. In this article, we present an overview of one factor that is significantly different in the HCID context—the literacy of the end user—by drawing on the literature of orality, and we offer a framework for HCID methodology that we argue is more appropriate for the HCID context. Based on this framework, we then present guidelines for design and user research methodologies in such contexts, highlighting seminal HCID research that corroborates these guidelines.

Title: Using mobiles for rural literacy and market information in Niger: Projet ABC/IMAC data sheet
Author: Joshua Haynes
Source: MobileActive.org
Date (published): 02/12/2009
Date (accessed): 03/12/2009
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Projet Alphabétisation de Base par Cellulaire (ABC), conceived of and spearheaded by Tufts University professor Jenny Aker, uses mobiles phones as tools to aid in adult literacy acquisition in rural Niger.

Adult literacy in rural areas faces an inherent problem. In Niger, for example, there are no novels, newspapers, or journals in native languages like Hausa or Zarma. The 20% of Nigériens who are literate are literate in French. The vast majority of rural villagers have struggled to maintain their livelihoods since time immemorial without ever knowing how to read a single word. What’s the point of literacy if there is no need for written materials?

Title: Kontax, a teen m-novel in a local African language
Author: Steve Vosloo
Source: mLearning Africa
Date (published): 16/10/2009
Date (accessed): 18/10/2009
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
On 30 September 2009, the world’s first mobile novel – or m-novel – published in both English and isiXhosa was launched. Kontax, a teen mystery story, was created for the Shuttleworth Foundation’s m4Lit project, lead by Steve Vosloo.

Standing for “mobiles for literacy” the project aims to explore whether teens are interested in reading stories on their cellphones, whether and how they write using their cellphones, and whether cellphones might be used to develop literacy skills and a love of reading. The hope behind the m4Lit project is that by researching the role of cellphones in teen reading and writing, educationalists and publishers can better understand the opportunities and challenges for literacy practices presented by the most popular communication device used by any teen today.

See also:
m4Lit: a teen m-novel project in South Africa
Conference paper describing the project (in pdf)