ICT for Development (ICT4D): What, Why, and How
Overview:
In present times, “Information and Communication Technology” (ICT) is being used as one of
the key delivery mechanism for development all over the world. The proliferation of the Internet,
wireless communication, and the applied synergy among different forms of communication
technologies have empowered the global population to ensure better lifestyle for the present and
future generation. The significance of ICT in the socio-economic development is even higher in
global south, where majority of the population still lives under poverty.
As a regional challenge course it first provides a broad introduction of ICT in present times, its
ever changing and region specific definitions, its impacts on the base of the pyramid population.
The course will be loosely demarcated in three sections. It will begin with a historical review of
“Technology and Development”, pre and post World War II scenarios that resulted in broader
international cooperation to improve the life of global population. The class will then focus on
the “key” ICT options for the last 50 years in human history (e.g. Radio, TV, Computer, Internet
etc.), critically analyze the impacts of each in commercial as well as societal applications.
Multiple theme(s) from the region will be chosen to introduce the case studies (e.g. environment,
health care, education, etc.). In the third part of the course, focus will be on a number of socioeconomic-environmental problems in South and South East Asian region. The multiple
interpretations of “ICT for Development” by various stakeholders (Donors, NGOs,
Governments, Practitioners, Common People, Academia) will be introduced using real life case
studies, role playing, and contemporary literatures. Some key research methods will also be
introduced and applied to give the students a firsthand experience in applied technology policy
analysis within the ICT4D domain. Moreover, students will also choose a theme/problem from
the region and propose a set of recommendations for solving it using ICT.
Textbook:
The Course will follow key chapters from a number of books during the semester. Journal
articles, reports, and case studies from relevant sources will also be shared with students.
In addition, the following book will be consulted thoroughly in the class:

Rahul Tongia, Eswaran Subrahmanian, and V.S. Arunachalam. Information and
Communications Technology for Sustainable Development: Defining a Global Research
Agenda. Allied Publishers, 2005. (Tongia)
Other Books/Reports:





Jefrey D. Sachs. The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities of Our Time. Penguin Books,
2005. (Sachs)
C. K. Prahalad and Allen Hammond. What Works: Serving the Poor, Profitably. World
Resources Institute, 2002. (Prahalad)
Dambisa Moyo. Dead Aid. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009. (Moyo)
Barbara Fillip and Dennis Foote. Making the Connection: Scaling Telecenters for
Development. Information Technology Applications Center (ITAC) of the Academy for
Education Development, 2007. (Fillip)
Anita Gurumurthy, Parminder Jeet Singh, Anja Kovacs. An Empowerment Approach to
Gender Equality in the Information Society: Regional Analyses from Asia. IT for Change,
2008. (Gurumurthy)
Selected Papers:


Angelica Valeria Ospina and Richard Heeks. “Unveiling the Links between ICTs &
Climate Change in Developing Countries: A Scoping Study”. University of Manchester,
2010. (Heeks: Scoping Study)
Richard Heeks. “The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto: Where Next for ICTs and International
Development?”. University of Manchester, 2009. (Heeks: ICT4D 2.0)
Style manual for papers
(Ignore this at your peril!!)
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition. The Modern
Language Association, © 2003. ISBN 0-87352-986-3.
See especially Chapter 2 on plagiarism.
Teaching Mode
Most presentations will be accompanied by MS PowerPoint slides. Reading assignments, when
applicable, will be emailed. Guest speakers may be included in the program, and all of the material they
present is subject to being on an examination. Current events will be emphasized, and students should
feel free to contribute their findings from both the popular and trade press. E-mail will be used
extensively for faculty/student communications.
Homework, Exams and Major Assignments
A major group/individual project will be the assigned. Details will be given in future classes.
Students are expected to be aware of current events in the ICT4D domain, and will be called upon to
contribute items of current interest. Current events may be included in examinations.
There will be NO homework assignment.
The mid-term examination and the quizzes will be open book, open notes, but no electronic devices
(PDAs, cell phones, etc.) will be allowed. The final exam will cover MOSTLY material from the
second half of the course, and will be similar in format to the mid-term exam.
Assignment Details
Assignments will require you to have a computer with Internet access. The instructor is not liable for
any loss of material submitted. Please keep a back-up copy of all material that you submit. Do not
submit electronic media that may contain confidential information (e.g., from your employer), since its
safety, security against loss, destruction or tampering cannot be guaranteed by the instructor. The
student is responsible to take all steps to protect information that you consider to be “mission critical”
for yourself.
Grading Procedures
Grading will be as follows:
Quiz
Mid-Term Examination
Term Project
Final Examination
Class Participation
Percentage of the Semester Grade
15%
25%
25%
20%
15%
Late project papers will be accepted at a cost of one letter grade per business day past due.
Assignments are “past due” if not submitted prior to the time noted on the due date. Students missing
an exam without notifying the instructor in advance can expect to receive a zero. Employed students
missing an exam due to business requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but typically
will take the original exam upon returning. At the instructor’s option, make-ups may be available in
other cases, but will be more difficult. Any questions about grades must be brought to the attention of
the instructor within seven calendar days of receiving the grade.
Semester grades will be based on: TBA
NB: Demonstrated overall effort will be a factor contributing to the grade of all assignments, and
points will be deducted when only minimal effort is obvious. The instructor reserves the right to
award extra points on any assignment where exceptional effort is evident.
Academic Expectations
It is expected that all work submitted (papers, analyses, quizzes, examinations, etc.) will be the student’s
individual work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and all means (including electronic) available to the
faculty may be used to uncover it in any form. It is intended for students to refer to journals and other
relevant outside sources, evaluate their findings in light of the current scenario, draw appropriate
conclusions from their research, and then present their conclusions in a straightforward and convincing
manner. Reference to resources on the Internet (with proper citation) is acceptable, but “copy and
paste” IS NOT acceptable.
The English language is important in the ICT industry, and it is important in this class. Grammar, usage
and spelling in all student work will be graded.
Term Project
A significant part of learning of ICT4D will occur through a term project. Students will also choose a
theme/problem from the region and propose a set of recommendations for solving it using ICT.
Tentative Class Schedule – Spring, 2011*
Session Date
January 10
January 12
January 17
January 18
January 19
January 24
January 26
January 31
February 2
February 7
February 9
March 16
March 21
March 23
March 28
Lecture Topic
Introductions
Syllabus Review, Introduction to ICT4D
Understanding “Development”
Understanding “Development”
NO CLASS
Understanding “Development”
Development and Aid
Development and Aid
Base/Bottom of the Pyramid and ICT
Base/Bottom of the Pyramid and ICT
Quiz 1, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Project Group Assignment
Thematic Groups in ICT4D
Submission of Project Proposal
Thematic Groups in ICT4D
NO CLASS
Education and ICT
Education and ICT
Mid Term Exam
Healthcare and ICT
Healthcare and ICT
Gender Equity and ICT
Project Status Report 1 Due
Gender Equity and ICT
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
Climate Change and ICT
March 30
Climate Change and ICT
April 4
April 6
April 11
Accessibility and ICT
E-Governance
E-Governance
Project Status Report 2 Due
Quiz 2, Telecenters: What, Why, and How?
Telecenters: What, Why, and How?
ICT4D: The Future
February 14
February 16
February 21
February 23
February 28
March 2
March 7
March 9
March 14
April 13
April 18
April 20
April 23
April 25
April 27
May 2
May 4
Readings
Tongia Ch. 1, 2
Sachs Ch. 1
Sachs Ch. 2
Sachs Ch. 2
Moyo Ch. 2
Moyo Ch. 3
Prahalad Ch. 1,2,3
Prahalad Ch. 4,5,6
TBA
Tongia Ch 3
Tongia Ch 3
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Gurumurthy (Ch. TBA)
Gurumurthy (Ch. TBA)
Heeks: Scoping Study
http://niccd.wordpress.com/
Heeks: Scoping Study
http://niccd.wordpress.com/
TBA
TBA
TBA
Fillip (Ch. TBA)
Fillip (Ch. TBA)
Heeks: ICT4D 2.0
Term Project Submission
Project Presentation
Project Presentation
Final Exam
NO CLASS
*NOTE: Due to variable class discussion times, topics may shift to later dates, but I will make every effort to maintain the
sequence outlined here