IT being used in Western Sahara

The country I researched for the diversity project was Western Sahara. This country has very limited access to Information Technology. The access is so limited that there can not be an exact estimation of how many people use the Internet. But Information Technology is being used by those who do have access to it. Very few hospitals in Wester Sahara have the ability to get information from doctors who are around the world. Hospitals, government agencies, and very few citizens in Western Sahara use IT.

Distance Learning

Countries that have access to Internet can benefit from distance learning the most. For example, countries such as The United States, Canada, and any other well developed country. These types of countries benefit the most from distance learning but the technology that is needed for the learning is already provided.  In developing countries, the access to technology is limited. Therefore, they might not benefit from distance learning as much as a country with access to technology and Internet.

Distance learning can be used in several different ways. For example, colleges offer distance learning to their students. This allows students who may not live near a university still receive lectures and presentations. From my personal experience, distance learning has allowed me to be high school and take college classes at the same time. I am able to watch lectures through Blackboard before my volleyball practices. Distance learning makes it easier for people who may not have transportation to the college.

Source:

Education. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.globalization101.org/education/

Health Officials Using Technology

Health officials can use technology to study the impact of health interventions in several ways. For example, researchers can tell that in one country mobile devices started to be used a lot more. But this was because people were given the opportunity to reach however they needed for health issues through these mobile devices. So the technology allows the officials to see how their implements are working out.

Source:

Health Care. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.globalization101.org/health-care/

IT Improving Health Care

Information Technology has improved health care in multiple ways. For example, IT allows doctors to share information to other doctors around the world to offer help and advice to help the sick. Also, the distribution of information is easier and quicker. When a doctor finds a cure for something or discovers something new, it is very easy for them to tell someone who is around the world the new information. The technology can also be used to keep track of medical information. Overall, IT has improved health care in ways that no other development can be compared to.

Source:

Health Care. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.globalization101.org/health-care/

Reducing the amount of e-waste

There are a lot of “green” initiatives that promote sustainability and reduce the amount of e-waste. E- waste is discarded devices such as mobile phones, computers, and/or other hardware. Best Buy allows people to bring in their old electronics and ink cartridges so that they can be recycled. This helps the e-waste problem and decreases the accumulation of unwanted technologies. Products like solar-powered chargers and hand-powered chargers also help the environment.

Sources:

Morley, D. (2013). Understanding computers in a changing society (6th ed.).

Projects that are lessening The Global Digital Divide

Close the Gap is a non-profit association that donates previously owned computers to up and coming countries. Companies and big organizations give this group their computers and then Close the Gap members send the machines to those who didn’t have access to ICT before.

The School Sector Reform Plan is an organization that provides technology to those in the Nepal schools. The project started in 2009 and the main focus is to improve the education system by providing technology to the children.

Sources: 

Projects & Operations. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2014, from http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P113441/school-sector-reform-program?lang=en

 Mission Close The Gap. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2014, from http://close-the-gap.org/discover-us/mission/ 

Apps that help visually impaired smartphone users

There are hundreds of apps that help visually impaired users use smartphones. One app is called Ariadne GPS, this is an app developed by Giovanni Ciaffoni. The app has maps that talk to the user and it tells the user close bus or train stops. The app is available in several different languages and can be linked to Google Maps.

Another app that helps visually impaired is called VM Alert – Video Motion Detector, which was developed by Adam Uccello. The app detects motion and tells the user when someone is near them by notifying them by sound or vibration.

One more app that really helps the visually impaired is called Color ID Free. GreenGar Studios created the app and when a smartphone is pointed at an object, the program announces what color the object is. It can also see the difference in the type of colors. For instance, it can tell one if yogurt is moldy or not or if the bread is still good.

Source:

Apps For The Blind And Visually Impaired: IPad/iPhone Apps AppList. (n.d.).

Retrieved November 22, 2014, from http://appadvice.com/applist_ipad_client_view/apps-for-the-visually-impaired