Description of Module 3:
The World Summit Award (WSA) is a United Nations (UN) affiliated biannual global award given to
innovators who demonstrate the advantages of information and communication technology for the
improvement of both local and global communities.
According to WSA’s website, it promotes “the UN agenda for the development of the information society
and supports specifically the UN Millennium Development Goals of ending poverty, hunger and disease,
providing education for all, saving the environment and giving a fair share to women through the use of
ICTs.”
The award has 2 major categories: “e-content and creativity “and “mobile content”. Within these groups,
awards are given in 8 sub-categories, these include: government, health, business, science, education,
culture, and entertainment. Five winners are selected from each sub-category for a total of 40 awards.
The purpose of this module is to:
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Introduce students to the WSA and using a selection winning projects chosen by the instructor,
guide students in a systematic study of the different innovative technologies created by the
winners.
Expose students to the cultures and societies that produced these award winning ICTs.
Raise the social awareness of students by impressing upon them the ability of information
systems, communication technologies and all technology in general to improve the quality of life
for humanity.
Objective:
CINS 101 Approved Global Objective:
10. Demonstrate global awareness using information technology.
Methodology:
Lectures/Discussions
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Instructor will select one WSA winner and thoroughly explain the inner workings of the system
as an example for the students’ own work.
Instructor will lecture on the home culture and tradition of the same WSA winner and discuss the
conditions/circumstances that led to the invention
Assignments
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Each student will be assigned a different WSA winner to investigate and examine.
Instructor can set aside either a full class time for discussion; or intersperse discussion time
throughout the semester.
Instructor will lead students in discussion regarding the WSA winners and technologies
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Students should note how systems work
And be able to discuss the country of invention and an explanation of the exact need the
system aims to address
Students will be evaluated on:
o Listening (Actively and respectfully listening to peers)
o Preparation (student is fully prepared with notes on reading, observations, questions)
o Quality of contribution (reflecting insight and understanding)
o Frequency of participation (actively participated at appropriate times)
Audio visuals
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Video documentaries and clips on winners of WSA
Readings
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www.wsis-award.org/
www.wsa-mobile.org/
Understanding WSIS: An Institutional Analysis of the UN World Summit on the Information
Society by Hans Klein
WSA catalogue (available through website)
Various newspaper articles and academic journals that discuss the systems implemented by WSA
nominees and award winners
Nominee and winner websites
Evaluations
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Students will earn points for their research paper; class presentation; and class discussion.
Resources:
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Dias, M. and Brewer, E. (2009) “How Computer Science Serves the Developing World,” CACM
52(6)
Heeks, R. (2010), “Do information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to
development”, Journal of International Development.
Avgerou, C. (2009). “Discourses on Innovation and Development in Information Systems in
Developing Countries” London school of Economics.
Walsham, G., Sahay, S. (2006). Research on information systems in developing countries:
Current landscape and future prospects. Information Technology for Development.
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Avgerou, C. (2003) “The link between ICT and economic growth in the discourse of
development”, Organizational Information Systems in the Context of Globalization.
Keniston, K. (August, 2002).IT for the Masses: Hope or Hype? Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
McIver, J.W. (2003) ‘A community informatics for the information society’, in Girard, B. and
Siochrú, S.Ó. (Eds.): Communicating in the Information Society, United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development, Geneva, pp.33–64.
Young World Rising: How Youth Technology and Entrepreneurship are Changing the World
from the Bottom Up by Rob Salkowitz. Publisher: Wiley | 2010 | ISBN 0470417803
Castells, Emmanuel (1999) Information Technology, Globalization and Social Development,
Geneva: United Nations Institute for Social Development.