Stewart Marshall - Böcker

Successful strategies and principles for using information technology to transform regional and community economies exist, and they are presented here with clarity and insight in a way that is useful to both practitioners and researchers. Although the communities discussed here range far and wide, from those in Russia to Australia and to Kenya, any community can benefit from enhanced utilization of information and communication technologies.The ways in which technology can help improve economic, social, cultural, and political conditions are as numerous and various as the communities themselves. In Central Queensland, Australia, community leaders have brought in a high-tech expert advisory system to help them control weed infestation. New Zealand and Australia have pioneered telehealth, the exchange of health care information and the delivery of some services across great distances. In Russia, wiring a community was found to be about more than mere hardware and software; vital to the process was understanding how communities provide access to information technology, how authorities and volunteers can improve computer literacy among citizens, and how connectivity can be extended to greater numbers of people. In some areas of south Asia, nongovernmental organizations have teamed up with local governments to increase access, empowerment, and e-commerce opportunities. These are but a few of the ways this volume contributes to our knowledge base about the impact of technology on economic development.

In many international settings, developing economies are in danger of declining as the digital divide becomes the knowledge divide. This decline attacks the very fabric of cohesion and purpose for these regional societies delivering increased social, health, economic and sustainability problems. The examples in this book will provide leaders, policy developers, researchers, students and community with successful strategies and principles of ICT use in education to address these needs.This book will discuss how educational technology can be used to transform education and assist developing communities to close the knowledge divide. It will provide comprehensive coverage of educational technology in development in different professions and parts of world. The book will provide examples of best practice, case studies and principles for educators, community leaders, researchers and policy advisers on the use of educational technology for development. In particular, it will provide examples of how education can be provided more flexibly in order to provide access to hitherto disadvantaged communities and individuals.

In many international settings, developing economies are in danger of declining as the digital divide becomes the knowledge divide. This decline attacks the very fabric of cohesion and purpose for these regional societies delivering increased social, health, economic and sustainability problems. The examples in this book will provide leaders, policy developers, researchers, students and community with successful strategies and principles of ICT use in education to address these needs.This book will discuss how educational technology can be used to transform education and assist developing communities to close the knowledge divide. It will provide comprehensive coverage of educational technology in development in different professions and parts of world. The book will provide examples of best practice, case studies and principles for educators, community leaders, researchers and policy advisers on the use of educational technology for development. In particular, it will provide examples of how education can be provided more flexibly in order to provide access to hitherto disadvantaged communities and individuals.

Practitioners in the field of educational technology require a high level of problem solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills to deal with learning issues that are often complex and multidimensional. Unfortunately, there are few opportunities for providers of learning services and learners to practice authentic instructional design or educational technology as part of their academic preparation and/or training.When learners interact with case studies through reasoning and problem solving, learning takes place through the process of analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation. In particular, case studies that use story telling to reflect problem situations in real-life create an authentic learning environment for learners. This book provides the material that learners can use to interact, reason and apply their problem solving skills in realistic and engaging cases. Because of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the field and the cases, this book is useful not just in educational technology, but also in other fields. A “Facilitator Guide” is provided for each chapter for teachers and trainers using this book with their learners.

Practitioners in the field of educational technology require a high level of problem solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills to deal with learning issues that are often complex and multidimensional. Unfortunately, there are few opportunities for providers of learning services and learners to practice authentic instructional design or educational technology as part of their academic preparation and/or training.When learners interact with case studies through reasoning and problem solving, learning takes place through the process of analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation. In particular, case studies that use story telling to reflect problem situations in real-life create an authentic learning environment for learners. This book provides the material that learners can use to interact, reason and apply their problem solving skills in realistic and engaging cases. Because of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the field and the cases, this book is useful not just in educational technology, but also in other fields. A “Facilitator Guide” is provided for each chapter for teachers and trainers using this book with their learners.

The field of educational technology is one that requires a high level of problem solving critical thinking, and interpersonal skills to solve problems that are often complex and multi-dimensional. Analyzing cases provides an opportunity to explore professional issues through an environment that allows action researchers, practitioners and students to analyze and reflect on relevant theories and techniques to understand a real problem, ponder solutions and consequences, and develop responses. Hence, this book seeks to provide relevant authentic and realistic cases for such exploration.This book is guided by the premise that the cases presented will serve as a platform for researchers, practitioners and students to share experiences and best practices in both developing and developed contexts, in an endeavor to bridge the knowledge divide. Throughout the book, various challenges are addressed and educational technology tools and strategies are subsequently employed in an effort to minimize the issues. Notwithstanding, the book also highlights successes and accomplishments in areas and contexts in which educational technology is being harnessed, including reaching more learners, providing more affordable options, and building capacity.Because of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the field and the cases, this book is useful not only in educational technology, but also in other fields. A “Facilitator Guide” is provided for each chapter for educators with their learners.

The field of educational technology is one that requires a high level of problem solving critical thinking, and interpersonal skills to solve problems that are often complex and multi-dimensional. Analyzing cases provides an opportunity to explore professional issues through an environment that allows action researchers, practitioners and students to analyze and reflect on relevant theories and techniques to understand a real problem, ponder solutions and consequences, and develop responses. Hence, this book seeks to provide relevant authentic and realistic cases for such exploration.This book is guided by the premise that the cases presented will serve as a platform for researchers, practitioners and students to share experiences and best practices in both developing and developed contexts, in an endeavor to bridge the knowledge divide. Throughout the book, various challenges are addressed and educational technology tools and strategies are subsequently employed in an effort to minimize the issues. Notwithstanding, the book also highlights successes and accomplishments in areas and contexts in which educational technology is being harnessed, including reaching more learners, providing more affordable options, and building capacity.Because of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the field and the cases, this book is useful not only in educational technology, but also in other fields. A “Facilitator Guide” is provided for each chapter for educators with their learners.

This book integrates research, action research, best practice and case studies detailing how some educators have embraced the opportunities afforded by mobile learning. In particular, it brings together a range of scenarios, solutions and discussions relating to mobile learning in development and other resource challenged contexts.The book will appeal to elected public/government representatives, public service agencies, community groups, regional development bodies, researchers, educational technologists and others interested in mobile learning. Students on senior undergraduate or postgraduate courses in educational technology, education, development studies, information technology, information systems, business, health, and social work will find this book useful in their studies related to the application of mobiles in learning and development.

This book integrates research, action research, best practice and case studies detailing how some educators have embraced the opportunities afforded by mobile learning. In particular, it brings together a range of scenarios, solutions and discussions relating to mobile learning in development and other resource challenged contexts.The book will appeal to elected public/government representatives, public service agencies, community groups, regional development bodies, researchers, educational technologists and others interested in mobile learning. Students on senior undergraduate or postgraduate courses in educational technology, education, development studies, information technology, information systems, business, health, and social work will find this book useful in their studies related to the application of mobiles in learning and development.