This is a good point.. It reminds me of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
We have a HUGE need in the world to assure that people have adequate
food, medical care, safety, clothing, sanitation, etc. This in itself
is an enormous undertaking that we (I use we in a general sense--not
pertaining to any particular "we." ) tend to ignore--at least on any
scale that would solve these problems. No one should have to go to bed
hungry or afraid for his/her life.
On the other hand, there is a potential danger that technology--if not
available to the entire world could create a greater chasm between the
"haves" and "have nots," thus perpetuating the poverty in the world if
those countries with the greatest poverty aren't brought into the
digital age.
Perhaps it could be argued that in order for a country to develop
international economic strength in a global economy, Internet and other
technology must be a priority.
Another argument could be that the Internet could be used as a means to
elevate awareness of the issues of poverty, and to connect people who
might not otherwise help to a means to help eliminate hunger, lack of
shelter, etc... I'd love to see school children using the Internet to
help others. There are projects now that are trying to do this.
I've been tying to put together a "global project based learning" web
resource list for schools wanting to connect and do collaborative
projects. If you scroll to the bottom of this web resource list, there
are some project links of school related projects designed to help
people in need:
http://my-ecoach.com/online/webresourcelist.php?rlid=6499. If anyone
know of more such project, please let me know and I'll add them to the
list. It is my hope to get school children to help others in the world
by using the Internet in a positive, pro-active way.
Linda Ullah
Teacher in Residence
Foothill College Krause Center for Innovation
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.foothill.edu/kci
On Nov 24, 2005, at 9:26 AM, Kris Dev wrote:
Dear all,
I agree that technology is required to develop society. But is is for a
society that is already to developed to some extent. What about a
society
that has not developed at all? What would technology do there.
So one size fits all policy is not good anywhere. Best is to have an
equitable development policy and try to bring-up the most
underdeveloped one
step above and the under developed one step above and the develped one
step
above, each thro' their own requisite inputs.
If there is no transparency and accountability in whatever is done,
only the
hype will be seen, and the benefits would get dissipated. What we need
to
see is all round development. How do we make the illiterate citizens
(parents and the child) into literate citizens for the overall benefit
of
mankind is the question?
We should be realistic in estimating the funds required to achive 100%
literacy and the time frame, before we can say we have achieved
anything.
But for all technology to have any impact, drinking water, food,
clothing,
shelter, sanitation, health, education, etc. is of primary importance.
No one would listen to a semon on empty stomach is the old saying.
Kris Dev.
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