DEVELOPING DIGITAL LITERACY: MOBILE DEVICES AS LEARNING TOOLS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS

Image of mother and daughters reading in Peru from www.worldreader.org

Here in Canada, we know a role of both public and school libraries is to create access to information and enhance literacy skills in our patrons. But what about developing countries? How can the global expansion and constant advancement of Internet access create opportunities for literacy?

Here are a few projects that are attempting to narrow the gap between developed and developing nations using technological innovation.

Room to Read: Building Libraries, Schools, and Computer Labs in Developing Countries

I found the inspiring story of John Wood via the Room the Read (http://www.roomtoread.org) website: 

“When John Wood, an executive at Microsoft, visited a local school in Bahundanda, Nepal, in 1998, he saw something odd: a room labeled “Library” in which no books were visible. It turned out they were locked in a cabinet — all twenty of them — to prevent damage at the hands of the cash-strapped school’s 450 students. Not long afterward, Wood left Microsoft to found Books for Nepal, which rapidly developed into “Room to Read."(www.roomtoread.org)

Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Room to Read website lets users access information about each of the countries involved in the project, and explains in detail how education is being championed and implemented. Literacy progress is evaluated and reading habits are tracked as a means to measure their impact on the established libraries in developing countries such as Laos, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Zambia, and South Africa. “The most exciting takeaway from the study is that we have been able to confirm empirically that our libraries are helping children become independent readers. In India, Laos, Nepal and Sri Lanka, 51 percent of children from schools with a Room to Read library were reading for enjoyment at school — compared to only 29 percent of children from comparison schools without a Room to Read library.” One thing I especially liked about the study is the fact that it pointed out children in these countries were reading for pleasure.

This video gives more information about Room to Read and their promotion of literacy.

  WorldReader: Digital Book Provider

Image source: www.worldreader.org

“We provide a library of thousands of digital books so that anyone can be a reader. We combine digital technology with relevant content, smart programming and strong partnerships to make a lasting impact.” (http://www.worldreader.org)

With increased access to and usage of cell phones and tablets in developing nations, the Worldreader Reading App allows anyone to utilise a digital library from a cell phone or tablet. This app intends to make books available to children and families who need them the most. “Worldreader’s mobile application is a single place to discover, read, and collect free e-books in a variety of languages, from different parts of the world. Find storybooks to read to your children, access textbooks to help you with your assignments, or look up important health information you’ve been curious about.” (www.worldreader.org)

The site offers two digital reading solutions – the Worldreader app for older, independent readers, and the Booksmart app, which showcases a variety of children’s books on topics such as nature, science, health, and learning concepts. The apps are available in Arabic, English, Hindi and Spanish. The educational opportunities provided by Worldreader have excellent potential, and as mobile device usage continues to increase, I see this site/app being influential in promoting literacy. Follow their blog here: https://www.worldreader.org/now/type/blog 

Liblicense Developing Nations Initiatives: Digital Access to Science Literature and Resources

The Liblicense site lists free, accessible science and medical resources such as the Berkeley Electronic Press, Oxford University Press Journals and the New England Journal of Medicine. Liblicense explains that, “Since 2001, a number of organizations have begun to develop or to publicize programs designated to bring high quality, peer-reviewed sciences journals for free or very cheaply to developing nations. This site identifies many such programs and provides links where readers may learn more about them.” (http://liblicense.crl.edu)

This is an excellent literacy resource for factual, research-based information and the opportunity for students in developing countries to access the data they need for their studies via the Internet. It’s also conveniently located and collated in one place.  

Image source: http://www.unsplash.com

To close with an uplifting statement from The Borgen Project, a non-profit organization focussed on aiding developing nations; 

“Technology is constantly developing and with its exponential growth there is much to look forward to in its role in ending world poverty. ‘The effect of the Internet in broadening and enhancing access to information and communication may be greatest in poorer nations,’ according to Harvard University.

If developing countries gain more access to the Internet it can be a driving force to lift families out of poverty. The knowledge provided through the Internet can maintain health, educate families, and open doors for boys and girls who are unable to attend school. Access to the Internet is improving. Google has recently invested $1 billion in satellites to provide Internet access to people in developing countries.

Technology is the golden ticket to achieving the goal of ending poverty by 2030.”

(www.the borganproject.org)

And who better than librarians to provide fair access to that golden ticket?

 

WORKS CITED:

Borgen Project.The Importance of Technology for Development | The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/importance-technology-development/

Worldreader. Worldreader | Creating A World Where Everyone Can Be A Reader.  https://www.worldreader.org/

Liblicense.crl.edu. LIBLICENSE. http://liblicense.crl.edu/

Room to Read. http://www.roomtoread.org/

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/

OTHER REFERENCES:

Conklin, K. (2018). John Wood Left Microsoft to Change the World by Building Libraries in Third World Countries http://www.inspiremykids.com/2010/john-wood-left-microsoft-to-change-the-world-by-building-libraries-in-third-world-countries/

Edutopia. (2020). Room to Read: Building Libraries, Schools, and Computer Labs in Developing Countries | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/global-education-libraries-developing-countries

Innovation, U. (2018). How Mobile Phones Are Changing the Developing World – Stories of Innovation. https://blogs.unicef.org/innovation/how-mobile-phones-are-changing-the-developing-world/

West, M. (2012). Turning on mobile learning: global themes. UNESCO Working Paper Series On Mobile Learning. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000216451