Robert C. Wicklein

Designing for appropriate technology in developing countries

Abstract This paper seeks to identify and describe criteria to predict and influence the success or failure of new technological applications to meet needs or solve problems in developing countries, including educational needs. By identifying and examining the social contexts of a given culture along with its existing level of technological development, selection of appropriate types of educational technology could be enhanced, and prevent the waste of human and economic resources. This method of selecting appropriate technology is based on the idea that advanced technology is often inappropriate for the needs it is attempting to address within developing countries.