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Other issues
During the course of the research it became clear that there were important issues to do with content and language, gender, and information flows, which were not covered by the original framework. These are dealt with below.
Language:- Many of the case studies expressed concern about the format of the information provided. For the projects involving the internet, an issue is the lack of information available in the local language. MANAGE notes that most content on the Internet is insufficiently localised, it is in English, with some in Hindi, and very little in Telugu. Where there is relevant information in a local language it is still often too general for village level use. They note a need for staff with comprehensive knowledge of local languages for translation purposes.
Even where English is used there remains a number of difficulties. Digital Village, which is training people in computers in English, has found that it had to develop its own training materials because many of those supplied by its sponsors were “too American”. KUMINFO notes that the content of the information at a workshop was relevant because the workshop centred on edited information that had been collected by the team. However, “the information was very technical and was presented in English, which did not go down well with some participants. They recommended that in the future the local language be used for such programmes for optimal benefit”.
Illiteracy:- Another issue is illiteracy, both computer and written. MIGIS have introduced the use of symbols to make the GIS information available in a more appropriate format. Others have introduced training programmes to raise the computer literacy rate in their communities, though this obviously operates with an assumption of a basic written literacy component. This comes to back to the discussion on re-intermediation.
Content:- Regarding this shortage of local content in local language, this is not being helped by some technical constraints. The current network of MANAGE is limited in not allowing users to post their own information to a web site, which prevents others getting access to useful information that is already available in traditional formats. MANAGE plans to introduce an interactive web site that can be accessed by users themselves, so they can publish their own content.
Information flow:- in development programmes the flow of information to beneficiaries has often and traditionally been one way, from top down e.g. newspapers, radio, extension services. Lessons learned from over 30 years of extension work in subjects such as health and agriculture have shown the importance of two way communication. Communication theory now emphasises the role of feedback loops, contextualisation of information, etc. Modern ICTs have a contribution to make in moving away from a one way communication and give user the ability to interact with systems e.g. talk radio, internet, policy consultation exercises. The studies show the benefit of this interaction with the information to the target groups and to the ultimate beneficiaries. |
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