I do get annoyed when I hear about IT in 3rd world countries. There is this idea that if you give the poorest of countries internet access, that magically all this education, information and communication erupts for the benefit of the people. That it suddenly gives people these magnificent opportunities to better their lives. What a load of rubbish, lets first focus on giving these people quality of life. I am sure a mother of five would choose clean water, sewage and a decent home over being able to see the latest CNN update. I am yet to see evidence of the immense Educational benefit of the internet. Communication yes, but actual learning and the quality of learning material? (Just to point out, I myself worked for "LearnDirect" and still feel uneasy about the training material!) Lets first give people what the need rather then what we feel people are supposed to have. No one in the right mind should dictate the need for internet access to those who don't even have access to running water. Its Email versus E. coli in my mind !
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I do get annoyed when I hear about IT in 3rd world countries. There is this idea that if you give the poorest of countries internet access, that magically all this education, information and communication erupts for the benefit of the people. That it suddenly gives people these magnificent opportunities to better their lives.
What a load of rubbish, lets first focus on giving these people quality of life. I am sure a mother of five would choose clean water, sewage and a decent home over being able to see the latest CNN update. I am yet to see evidence of the immense Educational benefit of the internet. Communication yes, but actual learning and the quality of learning material?
(Just to point out, I myself worked for "LearnDirect" and still feel uneasy about the training material!)
Lets first give people what the need rather then what we feel people are supposed to have. No one in the right mind should dictate the need for internet access to those who don't even have access to running water. Its Email versus E. coli in my mind !