Chris Bragg [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
While I think there is a real value to the observation that many
development projects stray on the wrong side of the 80/20 rule in an
effort to ensure maximum value from the project, I cannot agree that the
factors effecting decision making are in any way
In a message dated 4/8/02 7:53:32 PM, Don Cameron [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
I do not see quantity of time spent on a computer as necessarily having
any particular significance to a students future prospects, (unless it
is truly miniscule, or the student fully intends to complete tertiary
Dear GKD Members,
I'm glad to see that Yacine's intervention has opened up the debate
somewhat to include a consideration of the role of ICTs in society.
However, I think it's still important to point out the need to not be
technologically deterministic when considering the role of ICTs in
At 10:50 AM -0500 04/03/02, Lolita A.Wood-Hill wrote:
One set is being taught how to make the computer work for them (able to
program it for their own purposes), the other set is being prepared to
use that same computer as a glorified typewriter for the purpose of
being a white collar
To Yacine: It is hard to disagree with your pithily expressed
frustration, or sharp definition of the social schisms underlying the
'digital divide' (DD) however I would suggest there is some
political utility in keeping these two words as a sort of quick
shorthand.. if it can focus the
Thanks to contributors who have raised this topic. The issues do need to
be clarified. How can we have clarity of thoughts and communication
without clarity of language?
May I illustrate the problem by describing a project in rural Nigeria.
Its long term vision is for community development.
Yacine raises a very important, but I fear often overlooked point: any
technologies, ICTs included, should only be seen as a means to an end.
Acquisition of technologies should never, or at best very very rarely,
be seen as the end in itself.
And, partly adopting a role of Devil's Advocate, I
Yacine raises a good point, and it relates to both semantics and
actions. Terms and expressions such as bridging the digital divide
and sustainability stand for concepts and approaches to development
that mean (meant) something, but their formulaic repetition tends to
blur them into
Dear GKD Members,
I'm in basic agreement with Yacine Khelladi. For the last several years
I have referred to the Education Divides, the Opportunity Divides and
Economic Divides (all similar to what you call the Social Divide) that
pre-date and help to shape the Digital Divide (and I know others
