Assessing Community Telecentres

Assessing Community Telecentres

Public venues are vital to information access across the globe, yet few formal studies exist of the complex ways people in developing countries use information technologies in public access places.Libraries, Telecentres, Cybercafes and Public Access to ICT: International Comparisons presents groundbreaking research on the new challenges and opportunities faced by public libraries, community telecentres, and cybercafés that offer public access to computers and other information and communication technologies. Written in plain language, the book presents an in-depth analysis of the spaces that serve underserved populations, bridge "digital divides," and further social and economic development objectives, including employability. With examples and experiences from around the world, this book sheds light on a surprising and understudied facet of the digital revolution at a time when effective digital inclusion strategies are needed more than ever.

Based on field research carried out in 2003, reviews the situation in selected urban and rural communities regarding availability of information and communication technologies (ICT) such as phone shops, Internet cafés, and telecentres providing photocopying, computer typesetting, faxing, computer training or related services. Presents recommendations for policymakers, donor agencies, NGOs and others that may wish to support shared ICT-access centres and their developmental impact.

Right now is the time for new opinions and new ideas to be generated and be presented as a solution. With the ever changing economic status of society, prosperity depends on the ability to run and maintain an active equilibrium between society and individuals. Therefore, it is essential for both parties to promote innovation and creativity in order to enable a proper and valuable lifestyle. Digital Economy Innovations and Impacts on Society provides theoretical and practical approaches about digital economy, increasing people’s awareness on what the digital economy is and exactly what competitive advantages exist to provide information technology and innovation as its main resources. This publication focuses on rethinking the classical economic theory in the context of new technology, information, and innovation, making it a publication that brings the best research to the forefront for economics and social researchers, academicians, professionals and practitioners.

Volume 3 documents the processes used, and institutions created, to bring computers and connectivity into schools, as a means of enhancing the use and integration of ICTs in teaching and learning. A range of project, administrative, and cultural settings are explored as are a wide variety of technical solutions. The results, observations, and conclusions presented in this book will be useful for policy- and decision-makers in education and ICTs. The book will also be useful for teachers, researchers, and development practitioners and professionals with interests or active programs in the area of "ICT for development." Information technology professionals looking to service the potential education market will also find this book valuable.

"This collection compiles research in all areas of the global information domain. It examines culture in information systems, IT in developing countries, global e-business, and the worldwide information society, providing critical knowledge to fuel the future work of researchers, academicians and practitioners in fields such as information science, political science, international relations, sociology, and many more"--Provided by publisher.

The world economy is increasingly driven by technological innovations. UNCTAD’s Information Economy Report 2007-2008 analyses the current and potential contributions of information and communications technology (ICT) to knowledge creation and diffusion. It looks at how developing countries use technology to generate innovations that improve the livelihoods of the poor and support enterprise competitiveness. It also examines the impact of ICTs on productivity and growth, international trade and employment in developing countries.