Title: World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report (WTDR) 2010: Monitoring the WSIS Targets: A mid-term review
Pages: 258 pp.
Publisher: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Date (published): 29/04/2010
Date (accessed): 26/05/2010
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, 6,5 MB)
Abstract:
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005) brought together governments, civil society and the business sector to discuss a broad range of subjects related to ICT for development. In the end, governments agreed on a set of commitments and actions to foster the establishment of an inclusive infor- mation society. In particular, ten targets were identified in the Geneva Plan of Action, along with numerous recommendations based on different action lines (Action Lines C1 — C11). The targets, to be achieved by 2015, are:
1. To connect villages with ICTs and establish community access points
2. To connect universities, colleges, secondary schools and primary schools with ICTs
3. To connect scientific and research centres with ICTs
4. To connect public libraries, cultural centres, museums, post offices and archives with ICTs
5. To connect health centres and hospitals with ICTs
6. To connect all local and central government departments and establish websites and e-mail addresses
7. To adapt all primary and secondary school curricula to meet the challenges of the information society, taking into account national circumstances
8. To ensure that all of the world’s population have access to television and radio services
9. To encourage the development of content and put in place technical conditions in order to facilitate the presence and use of all world languages on the Internet
10. To ensure that more than half the world’s inhabitants have access to ICTs within their reach

The year 2010 marks the midpoint between the Tunis phase of WSIS (2005) and the deadline for achieving the WSIS targets (2015), in line with the target date of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report presents a mid-term review of the progress made towards achieving the ten WSIS targets. The overall objective of the report is to provide policy-makers with a comprehensive assessment of the WSIS targets to date and, based on the findings, make suggestions on the types of policy measures required to meet them. The report also highlights the need for formal monitoring of progress towards achieving the WSIS targets. Currently, there are no agreed indicators for the targets which countries could use for monitoring purpose
...
The report is based on the latest available data. While some data are collected at the international level, notably by ITU, UNESCO and UNDESA, overall data availability relating to the WSIS targets is poor. To complement these data sources, a survey was carried out by ITU among its Member States, between September and November 2009. The information provided by countries is featured throughout the report.

Title: Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development: Core ICT Indicators, 2010
Pages: 94 pp.
Publisher: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Date (published): 04/02/2010
Date (accessed): 21/05/2010
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
1. This publication presents the first revision of the core list of ICT indicators, originally published by the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development in 2005. The main purpose of the core list is to help countries produce high quality and internationally comparable data on information and communication technology. To assist in achieving this goal, the indicators have associated statistical standards and guidance.
2. There are 46 ICT indicators in the revised core list and two reference indicators. In comparison, the 2005 list contained 41 ICT indicators (and one reference indicator).
...
12. An important improvement to the first core list has been the addition of eight new indicators on mea- suring ICT in education (and one reference indicator). These indicators were developed by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) over several years and have been subject to extensive testing and consultation processes.

Title: A New ICT Maturity Model for Education Institutions in Developing Countries
Author: Julian M. Bass
Pages: 43 pp.
ISBN: 978-1-905469-12-3
Source: Development Informatics Working Paper Series, Paper No. 44
Publisher: Centre for Development Informatics, Institute for Development Policy and Management, SED, University of Manchester
Date (published): 26/04/2010
Date (accessed): 06/05/2010
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, 456 KB)
Abstract:
There is increasing interest in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education institutions in low-income countries. Developing ICT infrastructure is disproportionately expensive in developing countries and sustainable interventions are difficult to achieve: in part because leaders of educational institutions and donors have often not had the opportunity to develop ICT infrastructure planning and implementation skills. There has been a lack of concrete guidance regarding the stages of development needed to make efficient use of resources and maximise the chances of sustainable investments.

To address these needs, a novel ICT Maturity Model is presented here that provides a developmental framework for education institutions in low-income countries. The Model is unique in defining the ICT infrastructure resource levels required to achieve primary organisational objectives expressed in the form of student learning outcomes. The Model consists of eight levels, with the lowest levels defining the infrastructure required to enable initial computer training. The highest level applies to institutions where e-research is widely practised across the curriculum. The levels in the Maturity Model show management, teaching and technical staff, and donors how to make most efficient use of ICT resources by maximising opportunities for student learning.

The Maturity Model has been derived from documentary sources and an analysis of selected schools, colleges and universities in Ethiopia. The surveyed institutions include five primary schools, one higher education preparatory school, six teacher education colleges and five public universities. The Maturity Model was used as a prescriptive, developmental tool in one of the teacher education colleges and one public university. In this mode, the Model was shown to prioritise capacity building and infrastructure development initiatives that contributed to improving student learning opportunities. Although developed and tested in the context of one country, it is hoped that the Model will be applicable across a range of developing countries.

See also:
Educator's guide to student questions for this paper.

Title: Towards the emancipation of the ICT4D researcher: reflecting on a case study in deep rural South Africa
Authors: Kirstin Krauss, Marita Turpin
Pages: 10 pp.
Date (published): 11/03/2010
Date (accessed): 06/04/2010
Type of information: conference paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
In this paper, the authors contend that if the outsider-researcher involved in ICT for development really wants to make a difference and honestly address the emancipatory interests of the developing community according to local understanding, assumptions, needs and realities, that emancipation will have to occur on both sides of the “development divide”. Using a critical theoretical underpinning, the paper discusses ways in which the outsider researcher and practitioner require emancipation in order to ensure more sustainable ICT for development. By relating to three narratives on an ongoing community engagement project in deep rural South Africa, the authors reflect on particular instances that facilitated self-emancipation. Lessons learnt include the value of cultural interpreters as research partners, tactics for community entry and a self-critical approach for doing data collection and research.

ICT and Development - Research Voices from Africa. International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Technical Commission 9 – Relationship Between Computers and Society. Workshop at Makerere University, Uganda. 22-23 March 2010

Title: Developing a Methodology for Costing the Impact of Digital Exclusion
Publisher: University of Oxford for the Oxford Internet Institute
Date (published): March 2010
Date (accessed): 23/03/2010
Type of information:
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
This site presents a Methodology for Costing the Impact of Digital Exclusion, developed for the National Audit Office (NAO) by the LSE Public Policy Group and the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and opens it up for expert deliberation. Please go to the How you can help tab to participate in the deliberation and improve the methodology!

This online consultation was commissioned by the NAO to inform its understanding of the evidence base on the costs and benefits of digitial inclusion activities. Please do not quote or reference the research without the express permission of the NAO. The NAO has yet to decide when and how it will publish the results of this exercise.

BACKGROUND

Recent work by OII has shown that technological forms of exclusion are a reality for significant segments of the population, that different groups experience different types of exclusion, and that for some people they reinforce and deepen existing disadvantages, such as social and economic exclusion.

We were asked by the National Audit Office to develop a methodology for working out the benefits foregone to citizens, government and the economy through digital exclusion - and the costs of overcoming them. This methodology is presented here.

Title: Survey of public access ICT venue users and operators
Authors: Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA)
Source: Global Impact Study, University of Washington Information School
Date (published): 17/12/2009
Date (accessed): 17/12/2009
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
We are finding out how difficult it is to design a survey that captures all we want to know about public access venues and users and to keep the survey under 45 minutes. Several months ago we put together a survey working group composed of four project members (George Sciadas, Carlos Manjarrez, Beth Kolko, and Mike Crandall) who have extensive experience in survey design and implementation. The group has been working with us to develop instruments for surveys of public access ICT venue users and operators.

Title: Literature Review on the Impact of Public Access to Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Araba Sey, Michelle Fellows
Pages: 27 pp.
Series: CIS Working Paper No. 6
Source: The Global Impact Study, Center for Information & Society
Publisher: Center for Information & Society, University of Washington
Date published: April 2009
Date accessed: 21/06/2009
Type of information: research publication
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are widely acknowledged as important resources for socioeconomic development. Due to resource constraints, shared access forms the dominant mode of access to these technologies in most developing countries. Governments, non‐governmental institutions and business entrepreneurs have invested significant amounts of human and financial resources in public libraries, telecenters, internet cafés and other forms of public access, without clear evidence on what the ultimate outcomes will be and the actual costs. This report presents a review of empirical research on the impacts of public access to ICTs in order to document what is known about this approach to ICT service delivery.

The results show that there is limited conclusive evidence on downstream impacts of public access to ICTs. The evidence that does exist suggests that the public access ICT model is not living up to the expectations placed on it. This is not necessarily because public access has had no impacts, but because its impact is particularly difficult to identify and measure. As a model, public access to ICTs has experienced success and failure, leading to both reinforcement of the belief that the model should be expanded and strengthened; as well as claims that public access ICTs are ultimately ineffective or even counter‐productive from the development perspective.

Four main types of evidence are identified – evidence on venue performance and sustainability, users, usage patterns and downstream impacts. Assessment of this evidence indicates that trends are most apparent in the first three areas, while evidence of downstream impacts remains elusive. Most studies show that sustainability is a critical challenge especially in low resource, low income environments where commercial services are not viable. They also show that users are primarily young males with relatively high socio‐economic status and prior access to the Internet. Users tend to engage in social and personal activities as opposed to economic activities, for example. Findings on downstream impacts fall on both sides of the equation – some studies conclude that impacts are high in a variety of areas – development of ICT skills, job creation, civic engagement etc; others find limited impacts.

Ultimately there is as yet no definitive evidence‐based statement on the impacts of public access to ICTs. A research agenda is required that shifts from individual case studies and nominal level impact claims, to lines of enquiry that not only cut across contexts, but also utilize methodologies that (whether quantitative or qualitative) enable some quantification of identified impacts.

Title: Researching ICT-Based Enterprise in Developing Countries: Analytical Tools and Models
Author: Richard Heeks
Pages: pp.
ISBN: 978-1-904143-98-7
Series: Manchester Centre for Development Informatics Working Paper 30
Publisher: Development Informatics Group, Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester
Date published: 2008
Date accessed: 20/06/2009
Type of information: research publication
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, MS Word)
Abstract:
This paper provides a guide for those researching ICT-based enterprises in developing countries. Examples of such enterprises would include telecentres, cybercafés, mobile phone shops, Internet service providers, software companies, IT training firms, IT consultancies, hardware assemblers, data entry operators, and so forth. This may also be called the IT or ICT sector, or the digital or knowledge economy.

The paper offers a series of "lenses" – i.e. analytical frameworks – through which to investigate these enterprises. They move from basic classificatory models to those that can analyse competitive strategy, impact, context and the enterprise lifecycle. In each case, the paper provides an explanation of basic concepts, and a sense of what research using the particular framework would offer.

Title: Affordable Computing for Schools in Developing Countries: A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Model for Education Officials
Pages: 34 pp.
Publisher: Vital Wave Consulting
Date published: 2008
Date accessed: 19/06/2009
Type of information: comissioned white paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, 524kb)
Abstract:
Education decision-makers face the challenge of equipping young people with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy and need information and tools for formulating effective policy. This white paper discusses key issues related to technology in education and presents several major findings, including:
• Academic research and private-sector investment decisions indicate that computers in schools contribute to improved academic outcomes, boost a nation’s economic competitiveness, and attract job-creating economic investments.
• Governments need to consider the entire cost of school computing solutions, rather than merely the initial expenses. A total cost of ownership model takes into account recurrent and hidden costs such as teacher training, support and maintenance, and the cost of replacing hardware over a five-year period.
• Support and training are recurrent costs that constitute two of the three largest costs in the total cost of ownership model. They are greater than hardware costs and much higher than software fees.
• Ultra-low cost computers and Linux-based solutions are relatively equal in cost to traditional hardware and proprietary software solutions because they require higher labor and replacement costs over a fiveyear period.
• The total cost of ownership for different computer types and software platforms is relatively consistent. Critical success factors, such as IT ecosystems and platform stability and longevity therefore need to be considered in affordable computing decisions.

The study was commissioned by Microsoft.

Title: Beyond Subscriptions: Actual Ownership, Use and Non-Use of Mobiles in Developing Countries
Author: Richard Heeks
Publisher: ICTs for Development (blog)
Date published: 22/03/2009
Date accessed: 18/06/2009
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
As widely reported, the number of mobile phone subscribers in the world passed the four billion mark at some point around the end of 2008, in a global population of around 6.7bn of whom about 80% (5.4bn) live in developing countries.
At first sight, that might suggest that 60% (4 / 6.7) of the world’s population has a mobile phone...BUT . . . These figures have a number of problems. I summarise below what little I have found:...
* Actual Ownership: First, mobile subscription figures are overestimates of in-country mobile ownership for at least four reasons...
* Actual Use: Second, mobile subscription figures are underestimates of in-country mobile phone access and use for at least two reasons:...
* Levels of Non-Use: Thirdly, how many people still do not use a phone?