Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T16:45:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andre Amaral Pinto.pdf: 767941 bytes, checksum: 26dd4e36ff56223a8f7e78086337f926 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-11-18 / This work is about strategies for the government and private initiative to adopt in order to deliver telecommunication services for the low-income people, with sustainable and profitable business models, without resorting to farewell policies. It s intended to show how telecommunication services driven to low-income can be transformer in their own environment and in a country level. It will focus on some initiatives carried out around the world where reaching this market brought enhancements to country s economy and to companies results. It will discuss, as well, the government role as market regulator, competition stimulator, direct investor and collecting agent. Finally, there will be discussed the telecommunication service operators, for whom attending the bottom of the pyramid must not be about fighting for the little money available for surviving, but bringing new ways for them to have means to increase their earnings through innovative services, in a win-win situation / Este trabalho trata de estratégias que governo e iniciativa privada podem adotar para levar serviços de telecomunicações para a população de baixa renda, com modelos de negócio sustentáveis e lucrativos, sem recorrer a políticas assistencialistas. Pretende-se mostrar o quanto os serviços de telecomunicações dirigidos para a baixa renda podem ser transformadores, tanto no seu ambiente próprio, como no âmbito nacional. Serão enfocadas algumas iniciativas desenvolvidas ao redor do mundo onde o atendimento deste mercado de baixa renda traz melhoras para a economia do país e para os resultados das empresas. Também discutirá o papel do governo como regulador de mercado, estimulador da concorrência, investidor direto e agente arrecadador. Por fim será discutido o lado das operadoras de telecomunicações, para quem o atendimento à base da pirâmide não deve se tratar de lutar pelos poucos reais que a população pode dispor para sobreviver, mas sim de trazer meios para ela ter condições de incrementar seus ganhos por meio de serviços inovadores, de forma que ambos ganhem

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T18:13:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Alves Sinfronio Odainai.pdf: 437041 bytes, checksum: 070ca194c5aa1af607d18c7fa76e1503 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-18 / The aim of this dissertation is to make a reflection on the way to prepare young students from primary and secondary school in a participatory culture where according to Henry Jenkins popular participation supported by the Internet has expanded the possibilities of interference in society. This active collaboration caused profound changes in sensitive contemporary aspects such as intellectual property, the diversification of cultural expression, the development of skills valued in the modern workplace, and a more empowered conception of citizenship. However, it is necessary to reflect on what Jenkins celebrates as participatory culture since this concept is immersed in an order of dromocratic exclusion where the mercantile logic guides the use and the language of media technologies as noted by Trivinho and Orozco-Gomez. Taking into account the prevalence of new technologies in educational and communication field, it becomes essential to criticize the specific modes of technology incorporation within the school system. The hypothesis presented to answer this problem suggests that these various conditions depend on a number of environmental and internal factors to the system, overcoming the illusory idea that only restricted access to the new media technologies is enough. It is required an axiological dimension that involves values and affection. The adopted methodology is based fundamentally on bibliographical research guided by analysis of the paper Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century by Henry Jenkins. The argument structure is divided into: 1) From Individualism to Cooperation 2) Participatory Culture 3) Overcoming the Participatory Culture. The theoretical frame of reference is composed by authors such as Dewey, Maturana Romesín, Franco, Orozco-Gomez, Trivinho, Castells and Ugarte and it is based on the perspectives of Systems Theory, Cultural Biology, Cyberculture Studies, Dromology Studies and Mediatic Civilization / O trabalho aqui delimitado pretende realizar uma reflexão sobre a melhor maneira de inserir jovens dos sistemas básico e médio de ensino em uma cultura participativa, na qual, segundo Henry Jenkins, a participação popular apoiada pela Internet expandiu as possibilidades de interferência na sociedade. Essa colaboração ativa trouxe profundas mudanças em aspectos sensíveis contemporâneos, como a propriedade intelectual, a diversificação da expressão cultural, desenvolvimento de habilidades que são valorizadas pelo mercado de trabalho moderno e de empoderamento, permitindo aos indivíduos tomar decisões e participar ativamente como cidadãos. Porém, é necessário refletir sobre o que Jenkins celebra como cultura participativa, uma vez que ela está imersa em uma ordem de exclusão dromocrática em que a lógica mercantil orienta usos e linguagens dos meios de comunicação, como bem observou Trivinho e Orozco-Gomez. Levando em consideração a prevalência das novas tecnologias nos campos educativo e comunicativo, torna-se fundamental tensionar os modos específicos de incorporação da tecnologia dentro do sistema escolar. Para responder ao problema a hipótese apresentada sugere que essas condições várias dependem de uma série de fatores ambientais e internos ao sistema, superando a ideia ilusória de que o acesso restrito à presença dos novos media de comunicação seja suficiente. É necessária uma dimensão axiológica que envolva valores e afetividade. A metodologia adotada baseia-se fundamentalmente em pesquisa bibliográfica, norteada pela análise do artigo Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century de Henry Jenkins. A estrutura de argumentação divide-se em: 1) Do Individualismo à Cooperação 2) A Cultura Participativa 3) Superando a Cultura Participativa. O quadro teórico de referência é formado por autores como Dewey, Maturana, Franco, Orozco-Gómez, Trivinho, Castells e Ugarte e baseia-se nas perspectivas da teoria geral de sistemas, da biologia cultural, estudos de cibercultura, da dromologia e da civilização mediática

Den digitala klyftan är inget nytt fenomen utan har diskuterats sen 1970-talet då skillnaden ianvändandet och tillgång av video och telefax avsågs. Idag syftar den digitala klyftan snararetill användningen och tillgången till Internet. Andersson (2003) identifierade sex olikagrupper som hon ansåg ingick i den digitala klyftan. I den här studien används teorin om detoffentliga etoset som utgångspunkt för att kunna analysera den digitala klyftan. Syftet medstudien är att diskutera vad det är för perspektiv som genomsyrar svenska myndighetersverksamhet i e-Förvaltning, men även att bidra till en diskussion som handlar om att urskiljaoch förstå om den digitala klyftan är ett demokratiskt problem.Offentligt etos är ett samlingsnamn som innefattar olika begrepp och dimensioner somgenomsyrar den offentliga verksamheten. Offentligt etos delas in i två perspektiv: ettdemokratiskt (politisk demokrati, rättssäkerhet och offentlig etik) och ett ekonomiskt(funktionell rationalitet, kostnadseffektivitet och produktivitet).Resultatet av de intervjuer som har genomförts pekar på att en viss förskjutning motekonomivärden äger rum i de svenska myndigheterna. Förskjutningen är däremot inte av denkraften att demokrativärdena inte bejakas, utan myndigheterna ser fortfarande till allamedborgares bästa.Så länge den digitala klyftan existerar skapas dock effekter. Myndigheterna måste lägga storaresurser på de som exkluderas och att den personliga kontakten finns kvar blir av yttersta vikt.Den digitala klyftan tillsammans med lagstiftning gör också att e-Förvaltningens utvecklingdämpas.Det pågår arbete både från myndigheters sida men också från regeringens som ska minska ochfå bort klyftan. Den digitala klyftan existerar fortfarande med de äldre medborgarna somstörsta problem, men tack vare det arbete som görs på området så är bör det inte betraktas somett demokratiskt problem. Om den dagen kommer då myndigheterna inte längre bejakardemokrativärdena, då kommer det leda till att klyftan breder ut sig och blir ett demokratisktproblem.

Internet is viewed as the most vital digital technology in the globe. Eastern Africa has the least penetration of ICT per capita in the world. Internet is a valuable resource that has propelled enormous economic growth in many developed countries. In order for Eastern African governments to narrow the socio-economic divide between developed countries and themselves, there is need to overcome this digital handicap. Enormous investments in ICT infrastructure are essential. The governments must participate in making crucial decisions to wisely allocate the limited resources to improve the current infrastructure.This thesis investigates Internet use, access and penetration in Eastern Africa. Theoretical research has been carried out to elaborate on the subject matter. Through empirical study, we will come up with a fresh way to verify and understand the Internet situation in the region. / Program: Magisterutbildning i informatik

Earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential can have positive results in a student's life including higher wages and better job opportunities. The 2014 version of the GED exam changed the format from a paper-based test to a computer-based test. This change coincided with a 35% decline in the pass rate indicating not all students are prepared to pass the new computer-based test (CBT). The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the influence of a candidate's race and reason for taking the exam on the pass or fail outcome of the new computer-based GED exam. The study used Vroom's expectancy theory as the theoretical framework. The guiding question was to examine the relationship between a candidate's motivation and pass or fail outcome of the CBT. This study used a quantitative approach to analyze available archival data from The Technical College System of Georgia in 2014 and 2015. Two chi-square analyses were conducted on data from 21,641 participants using candidate's race, reason for taking the exam, and GED pass or fail outcome. Results suggested that individually, both a candidate's race and reason for taking the test have a statistically significant effect on the participant's pass or fail outcome. Results from this study may help GED educators and students better understand factors that can influence student success. Integrating career development orientations and remedial computer based technology classes into the GED preparation process were recommended. Implications for positive social change include the potential to increase student motivation, improve the preparedness of both students and educators and subsequently increase the number of people who pass the GED exam.

Les Technologies d’Information et de Communication (TIC) facilitent la collecte et le traitement d’informations numériques, aussi nombreuses que variées, et sont de plus en plus sollicitées dans différents domaines (géographie, informatique, économie, statistiques etc.). La thèse a pour objectif de montrer les apports des TIC dans l’étude d’objets ou phénomènes géographiques dont la distribution est variable dans l’espace. Dans un premier temps, des inégalités territoriales de diffusion d’infrastructures Internet sont observées à différentes échelles, ce qui est communément appelé « la fracture numérique ». Pour remédier à ces inégalités, en particulier dans des espaces peu densément peuplés, la solution proposée est d’envisager une desserte maximale du territoire par la technologie non-filaire (Wi-Fi). Cette solution a été appliquée pour une commune drômoise (La Roche-sur-le-Buis). Les données (bâti) sont de type images et nécessitent un dispositif de repérage et de collecte approprié qui fait l’objet du second temps de la recherche. L’objectif a été de trouver une méthode relativement simple et accessible d’extraction de données du bâti sous un logiciel de géo-localisation en accès libre (type Google Earth). Ce logiciel permet d’accéder à des bases de données d’images raster grand public couvrant le monde entier. A une échelle fine, les méthodes habituelles de télédétection n’étant pas assez satisfaisantes, une autre méthode basée sur une stratégie de choix de la cible, de l’image (bonne résolution spatiale) et de la méthode de détection de l’objet spatial (bâti) à l’aide d’un Système d’Information Géographique (SIG) est proposée en mode vecteur. Elle est testée en France et en Syrie à différentes échelles. Les résultats montrent que la qualité de cette approche semi-automatique, voire automatique, est liée à certains paramètres dans les trois phases de la méthode : phase de choix des données, phase de traitement et phase d’analyse / The Information and communications technology (ICT) facilitate the collection and processing of digital information, both numerous and varied, and are increasingly used in various fields (geography, computer science, economics, statistics, etc.). This thesis aims to show the contribution of ICT to the study of geographical objects or phenomena whose distribution varies in space. Initially, the territorial inequalities dissemination of Internet infrastructure, are observed at different scales, which is commonly called « digital divide ». To address these inequalities especially in sparsely populated areas, the proposed solution is to consider a maximum coverage of the territory by non-wireline technology (Wi-Fi). This solution was applied to the case of a common selected Drôme (La Roche-sur-le-Buis). In this type of application, the data (built) are of the images and require a tracking device and the appropriate collection that is the subject of the second stage of research. The objective was to find a relatively simple and accessible data extraction software built in geo-location with free access (like Google Earth). This software allows access to databases of public and raster images covering the world. At a fine scale, the usual methods of remote sensing is not quite satisfactory, another method based on a strategy for target selection, image (good spatial resolution) and the detection method of the object space (built) using a Geographic Information System (GIS) is proposed in vector mode. It is tested in France and Syria at different scales. The results show that the quality of this approach semi-automatic or automatic is related to certain parameters in the three phases of the method: choice phase of data, processing phase and analysis phase

This thesis addresses the implications of Australian and South Australian government policies for the provision of online health information. It focuses on subjective meanings about internet use and access by questioning the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for health information. It analyses egalitarian approaches by government entities for universal access and explores how the phenomenon of the internet is claimed to be a potential conduit for social inclusion to reduce health inequalities.

<p>This paper outlines the current situation of Internet usage and attitudes towards the Internet among ordinary people in Arusha, Tanzania, and examines the views of ordinary citizens on the effects of the arrival of Internet and the possible digital divide.</p><p>Using qualitative interviews with equal groups of ordinary Internet users and ordinary non- Internet users in Arusha, the authors found varying levels of awareness about Internet services and facilities and their availability. There was also a widespread concern about immoral western influences communicated by the Internet and how it may affect the domestic culture. It was clearly shown that Internet usage and the possibility to utilize the information found is dependent on education levels and the economic situation of the users, two closely related factors. To get additional views on the subject interviews were also carried out with representatives for Radio and TV stations as well as newspapers located in Arusha, institutions for higher education in the ICT field, Internet providers, and Arusha Municipal Council. To examine the actual Internet usage we extracted random samples of visited websites in several of the Internet cafés, which most of the Arushans use to access the Internet.</p><p>It was found that government action is necessary that the in order to bridge the digital divide, but as a result of systematic censorship of media government efforts meet a profound distrust among people, neither does the government consider this to be any of their responsibilities.</p>

Questo lavoro è un tentativo di precisare dimensioni e condizioni del digital divide, a partire dalla scelta di una specifica accezione del termine, che lo inserisce nella più ampia e articolata problematica della disuguaglianza sociale. Le Information and Communication Technologies sollevano il problema del significato attuale della cittadinanza e dell’inclusione sociale, che nei contesti socialmente ed economicamente più arretrati si traducono in lotta alla povertà, chiamando in causa la complessa relazione tra tecnologia e sviluppo umano. L’accesso significativo alle tecnologie corrisponde all’applicazione di capacità intellettuale e comprende alcuni elementi di fondamentale importanza, come la gestione e rielaborazione dell’informazione, la crescita di competenze utili a sfruttare i vantaggi della tecnologia. La penetrazione delle tecnologie nella società contemporanea pone alcune sfide al rinnovamento della scuola e rende indispensabile valutare che tipo di competenze sono necessarie, come poterle sviluppare e quali metodologie adottare nella didattica, affinché le nuove generazioni crescano con la capacità di partecipare attivamente al cambiamento della società. A tale scopo, il presente contributo propone una ricerca sul campo che mette a confronto l’implementazione del progetto One Laptop Per Child in due realtà agli antipodi dell’indice di sviluppo umano – l’Italia e l’Etiopia – con un’attenzione specifica al potenziale sviluppo di “competenze digitali” e all’evoluzione della metodologia di insegnamento, elementi che in linea teorica corrispondono ai primi ingredienti di una incentivazione dell’inclusione sociale. La ricerca è di tipo qualitativo, utilizza gli strumenti del focus group, dell’intervista, del questionario e dell’osservazione partecipante, prendendo in esame 13 classi e 18 insegnanti/coordinatori per ciascun campo. I risultati più importanti mostrano che una azione efficace in termini di inclusione digitale è condizionata da una organizzazione educativa programmatica, promozione di iniziative con un valore locale, interventi di formazione e di capacity building che non sconvolgano sistemi socio-culturali consolidati, ma che incidano sulla motivazione dei destinatari valorizzando il capitale umano e sociale. È questo che intendiamo con innovazione della scuola. / The term digital divide echoes a kind of technological determinism. It has often suggested that inequalities depend on physical access to Information and Communication Technologies and that simply achieving such access would solve problems of social exclusion. In this work the original literal sense of “access” will be replaced by a set of more concrete operational definitions. It extends the model of a gap between haves and have-nots to a concept of a broader digital inequality, depending on the so-called “digital skills”. It calls attention to information as a primary good in the contemporary society, to be considered as the main goal to achieve through a meaningful use of ICT. The emphasis is therefore placed on education, where the digital literacy can provide the ability to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information. Social opportunities of digital technology are underlined both in developed and developing countries. We argue in fact that, whenever integrated in school subjects, ICT might become a great opportunity to innovate learning and teaching, to accomplish a renovated citizenship in the Nord of the world and help to achieve better standards of development in the South. A comparative analysis of two opposite contexts investigate understandings of the digital inclusion by exploring best practices for sustainable projects. The field research focuses on the One Laptop Per Child worldwide project, comparing the use of the same technological tool in primary schools of Italy and Ethiopia. The data presented are based on observations, focus group and interviews with a sample of 13 classes and 18 teachers/coordinators for each field, conducted during the school year 2008-2009. Results indicate that often children capabilities are complementary to teachers’ ones, that ICT provide the flexibility to meet diverse learners’ needs, that training is essential to motivate and empower teachers to use ICT and revise traditional didactics, that social capital has a central role in the school. The concept of capacity building emerges from these concepts and suggests pathways to improve skills access in the long run and adapt school curricula to collaborative environments. This is what the present study calls innovation.

This study attempts to shed light on the efficacy of crowdsourcing as a means of translating web content in Canada. Within, we seek to explore and understand if a model can be created that can estimate the effectiveness of crowdsourced translation as a means of bridging the Canadian Linguistic Digital Divide. To test our hypotheses and models, we use structural equation modeling techniques coupled with confidence intervals for comparing experimental crowdsourced translation to both professional and machine translation baselines. Furthermore, we explore a variety of factors which influence the quality of the experimental translations, how those translations performed in the context of their source text, and the ways in which the views of the quality of the experimental translations were measured before and after participants were made aware of how the experimental translations were created.