Hi Tquabo,

I too am puzzled by your first point, as David Rosen.  Are you thinking perhaps about "technology literacy", as for example "computer literacy", where the "literacy" means "fluency in the use of"?  Or are you thinking of "technology" as including "techniques", so that the "technology of literacy" includes "techniques of learning to read"?  I believe that our group is interested in how technology (typically computer software) can be used to help in the teaching and learning of literacy skills.  This is what I assume you mean for your questions 2-4.

2.  Technology is mostly based on computers, and many companies are donating their old computers to third world countries, when they upgrade to new computers.  So computers are available at low cost.  And, if power supply is a problem, solar or crank powered computers (see Rosen again) can be made.  The software could also be made available at low cost, if there was seen to be a significant market.

3.  North-South cooperation is urgently needed to realise the possibilities of 2, and particularly to give access to the enormous potential market for low cost technology.  At present, this access seems to be blocked by politicians, bureaucracy and middle men.  It is extraordinarily difficult to get through to the end users who would benefit.

4.  Literacy is the gateway to knowledge and education, and hence to fair government, fair distribution of wealth and sustainability.  If everybody knew the danger we all face from global warming and climate change, then we'd all try and do our bit, however small, to save forests, plant trees, and reduce energy consumption.  (Just as every bit of radioactive material released into the atmosphere by Chernobyl increases the chance of anybody in the world getting cancer, so every bit of CO2 released into the atmosphere increases the rate of global warming and the danger of crop failure, famine, hurricanes, flooding, etc.)

BTW, I have heard it said that there has never been famine in a country with a truly democratically elected government.

Cheers from Chiswick,

John

John Nissen
Cloudworld Ltd - http://www.cloudworld.co.uk
maker of the assistive reader, WordAloud.
Try WordAloud with synthetic phonics:
http://www.cloudworld.co.uk/teaching-synthetic-phonics.htm
Tel: +44 208 742 3170  Fax: +44 208 742 0202
Email: info at cloudworld.co.uk



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tquabo Aimut 
  To: The Technology &amp, Literacy Discussion List 
  Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 5:17 AM
  Subject: Re: [Technology] joining the discussion forum


  Dear Fedele

  Thank you for inviting me to forward any questions that I have related to technology and literacy. As a background to my questions for discussion I would like to raise two of the most significant International commitments which are:- Education for All(EFA) and Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). These of course may seem to focus on developing countries on the emphasis of equitable access to education and poverty alleviation.

  On the other hand; digital divide is expanding fast and literacy divide is still large in most of the countries in question.

  It seems to me the above raised issues could not be addressed without clearly addressing the issue of appropriate technology. The questions that I want to raise in relation to the above considerations or assumptions are:-
  1. The difference between technology in literacy(education) and technology of literacy
  2. Is technology affordable for developing countries suffering of digital divide and literacy divide? How
  3. How about the South-North co-operation in such situation/issues
  4. How literacy attainment could contribute to poverty alleviation, narrowing the digital divide etc

  Hoping these questions are relevant and acceptable I'm looking for lively discussion and sharing of experiences

  Best Regards

  Tquabo 

  Mariann Fedele <mariannf at lacnyc.org> wrote:
    Hello Tquabo and welcome to the list!
    Thank you for posting a message of introduction.
    I'd like to use your example to invite other new subscribers or subscribers
    who haven't posted to introduce themselves as well.

    Where should you go from here?
    What questions do you have about technology and literacy and were there any
    specific reasons you subscribed to the list? is there anything in
    particular you hope to get from it?

    For everyone on the list, as well, this is a good time to weigh in with any
    burning questions you have had about technology and literacy as well as any
    issues you would like to see addressed on the list.

    We conducted a survey of topics of interest several months ago and have had
    a few extended discussions on a number of those topics. Is there anything
    of particular interest you would like to see addressed in the near future?
    Currently I am working with a couple of members of the list to arrange a
    discussion on emerging/cutting-edge technologies.

    With best regards,
    Mariann

    >Dear Sirs/Madam I'm new to join the Technology and literacy discussion
    >forum.I'm not aware on what is going on currently.Where should I go from
    >here? Best Regards Tquabo Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple
    >travel sites in one click. 
    >---------------------------------------------------- Technology and
    >Literacy mailing list Technology at dev.nifl.gov To unsubscribe or change your
    >subscription settings, please go to 
    >http://dev.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology



    Mariann Fedele
    Coordinator of Professional Development, 
    Literacy Assistance Center
    Moderator,
    NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List
    32 Broadway 10th Floor
    New York, New York 10004
    212-803-3325
    mariannf at lacnyc.org
    www.lacnyc.org



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