the idea of using mobile devices with world libraries.
As usual, these broad topics could take us in multiple directions. So, I will set some semantic parameters around what I mean to discuss and focus upon in using those terms.
For "world libraries," I will look at a few virtual digital libraries of books/learning resources that could potentially be accessed by anyone, anywhere, anytime--especially to those in developing countries (or remote areas of the developed world) where access to physical libraries and their resources is less likely. Also, I will look at such Internet/Cloud library collections that are purposefully attempting to be multi-lingual or multicultural in order to be more relevant to more people throughout the world.
In terms of using "mobile devices" to access these world libraries, I'll look at the potential of using the various portable smartphones and tablets (and even latest generation laptops) as a way of carrying a whole library in your pocket, purse, backpack, etc. It is one thing to make virtual world libraries exist, but it is another very different thing to ensure that people have the devices and connectivity to the Internet/Cloud to actually use them; so, I'll take a look at those issues as well.
Project Gutenberg. It was, as I recall, named after the Gutenberg printing press because it was trying to emulate the explosion of access to the printed word that that invention created. I think that originally the Gutenberg project was attempting to put all of the copyright-free classics of the Western canon online for equitable access to all people; it quickly developed into a portal to find materials in many different languages. It now includes a mobile site which would greatly increase its usability by mobile device users throughout the world (most of whom do not have/use desktop computers--more on these cell users later). It is free; thus, it is a true world library resource accessible to all.
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| QR code for Project Gutenberg mobile site |
Another valuable world library is The International Children's Digital Library.
This is an amazing multi-lingual and multicultural collection. Its focus on children's literature makes it extremely valuable for use in school classrooms throughout the world. The link I provided above is one level below the home page: its "simple search" shows how quickly and easily students/teachers can find books by length, age level, category, and so on; notice that the search and results language can be changed in two locations toward the top right. The ICDL is free; thus, it is a true world library resource accessible to all.There are many organizations out there working to bring digital books to students in under-served developing parts of the world. Library For All is one of them. As their mission statement says:
"Library For All is a nonprofit organization that has built a digital library platform to address the lack of access to quality educational materials in developing countries. Our mission is to make knowledge accessible to every person on the planet, allowing individuals the opportunity to learn, dream, and aspire to lift themselves out of poverty."
Their cloud-based collection of books comes from multiple publishing partners and features home-language resources; the collections they make available are purposely designed to be used in lower bandwidth environments and allow for off-line use; while they don't supply mobile devices, they do analyze what devices are available in the areas they go to so that they can adapt their platform to fit the population's equipment. All of these features make them a valuable world library resource.
Now, it is great that various world library projects are up and running, but how are people going to access them?
Mobile devices are seen as a great equalizer in terms of putting learning resources in hands quickly and easily as these--and many, many other--news articles, blogs, etc. have touted in recent years...
Cell Phones Could Help Millions in Developing Countries to Read
in Time online, and
Cell Phones Ignite a 'Reading Revolution' in Poor Countries
online on The Verge.
However, the Pew Research Center on Global Attitudes and Trends published a much more thorough examination of which types of mobile devices were used, how many of them existed, for what purposes they were used, and whether or not they were able to access the Internet/Apps/Cloud/etc in various countries throughout the developing world:
The charts contained in the study above definitely provide some reality checks in terms of connectivity issues in various countries.
[Both charts above and below from study linked above and cited in References below]
We simply need more free wifi available everywhere to truly give people equitable access to world libraries, increased literacy skills, and open learning opportunities. I did find it heartening that on page three, part way down, between 10-15% of respondents in most countries said that they had used their mobile devices to access online classes. Yet, there is still a significant issue in terms of cell phones becoming commonplace, but the more useful and interactive smartphones (and tablets) remaining uncommon and unaffordable in developing nations.
Luckily, there are people and organizations constantly working on ways to increase equity of access to mobile devices and the free wifi connections needed to make them functional and useful. Below are just a few ways that these issues are attempting to be addressed.
Innovative ways to deliver wifi Internet to where it doesn't exist:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectLoon (for various videos including the one below)
Their cloud-based collection of books comes from multiple publishing partners and features home-language resources; the collections they make available are purposely designed to be used in lower bandwidth environments and allow for off-line use; while they don't supply mobile devices, they do analyze what devices are available in the areas they go to so that they can adapt their platform to fit the population's equipment. All of these features make them a valuable world library resource.
Now, it is great that various world library projects are up and running, but how are people going to access them?
Cell Phones Could Help Millions in Developing Countries to Read
in Time online, and
Cell Phones Ignite a 'Reading Revolution' in Poor Countries
online on The Verge.
However, the Pew Research Center on Global Attitudes and Trends published a much more thorough examination of which types of mobile devices were used, how many of them existed, for what purposes they were used, and whether or not they were able to access the Internet/Apps/Cloud/etc in various countries throughout the developing world:
The charts contained in the study above definitely provide some reality checks in terms of connectivity issues in various countries.
We simply need more free wifi available everywhere to truly give people equitable access to world libraries, increased literacy skills, and open learning opportunities. I did find it heartening that on page three, part way down, between 10-15% of respondents in most countries said that they had used their mobile devices to access online classes. Yet, there is still a significant issue in terms of cell phones becoming commonplace, but the more useful and interactive smartphones (and tablets) remaining uncommon and unaffordable in developing nations.
Luckily, there are people and organizations constantly working on ways to increase equity of access to mobile devices and the free wifi connections needed to make them functional and useful. Below are just a few ways that these issues are attempting to be addressed.
Innovative ways to deliver wifi Internet to where it doesn't exist:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectLoon (for various videos including the one below)
The BRCK is kind of like a backup generator for creating share-able wifi hotspots in underserved and remote areas. It is very portable and very durable, and for a cost of $250, I think it would be affordable for aid organizations or government ministries to purchase to support people.
BRCK TEDtalk video below
And, to conclude, Mozilla has been spending the last few years trying to develop
a very affordable $25 smartphone that they would deliberately market to developing countries. Although their motivation is most certainly to make big money by selling to unsaturated markets, the cheap price will also help people around the world get in on accessing a wealth of digital knowledge.
With all of these efforts discussed in my blog today, we may very soon see a time when all people around the globe have an affordable world library in their pockets that is powered by freely-provided or affordably-purchased wifi connections. Fingers crossed...
References
BRCK. 'BRCK: Rugged, Portable Wifi Hotspot & Battery Extender'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Google: Project Loon. Project Loon: Scaling Up. April 17, 2015. Web: YouTube. 27 Oct. 2015.
H., Victor. 'Mozilla Signs A Deal To Make The World’S Cheapest Smartphone: $25 Firefox OS Device With 3.5” Screen And HTML5 Apps'. Phone Arena. Feb. 23, 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
International Children's Digital Library. 'Simple Search'. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Library For All. 'Homepage'. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. 'Internet Seen As Positive Influence On Education But Negative On Morality In Emerging And Developing Nations'. March 19, 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Project Gutenberg. 'Online Book Catalogue—Overview'. 2003–2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Rayman, Noah. 'Cell Phones Could Help Millions In Developing Countries To Read'. TIME.com.April 23, 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
TEDtalk and BRCK. Tedtalk: Meet BRCK: Internet Access Built For Africa. June, 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Toor, Amar. 'Cellphones Ignite A 'Reading Revolution' In Poor Countries'. The Verge. April 23, 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Wauters, Stephanie. 'Smart-Phone (Icon)'. Noun Project. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
A great tour through some of the most prolific and accessible organizations and groups working on providing access around the world. There are many different groups focused on this important goal and it does take a two pronged approach of some focusing on access, while others are focusing on content. Excellent graphs to include that really highlight the need for basic infrastructure around the world to enable more learning and access to life-saving information. A well done blog post. Good tagging, linking and embedding.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this weeks blog post; it was very informative. I focused less on wifi accessibility, and I'm glad you delved into this topic so thoroughly. You definitely raise a good point, not only do people of developing nations need a tablet or phone, they need connectivity. Its nice to hear that organizations like Library for All are giving people off-line options to access information. It sounds like BRCK is a big step in the right direction. I guess after the problem of A) getting a smart phone/tablet, and B) accessing wifi, efforts would have to pointed towards motivating people to learn to read, and giving them tools in order to do so. Have a good weekend
I learned so much from you in this one blog post, chris! Although it feels like a first world problem to say we need more wifi, but... we need more wifi! I think we feel the impact of a poor connection on a daily basis even within our own schools. When I worked in Seoul, it was amazing at how much technology was integrated and present in the students' curriculum simply because they have access to SO much technology, internet, wifi, and everything in between. I loved learning everything you shared in this post, thank you again!
ReplyDelete