Wallace Chigona

Can Mobile Internet Help Alleviate Social Exclusion in Developing Countries

Research has shown that traditional Internet has not been successful in alleviating social exclusion in developing country. Since a significant number of the population in developing countries use mobile phones, others have suggested that mobile internet may be the solution to the problem. However, to date there has not been empirical studies in developing countries to explore that possibility. This study aims therefore to explore whether the mobile internet may be a viable option for addressing social exclusion in a developing country context. Data for the study was gathered using semi‐structured interviews with socially excluded individuals and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that usage of mobile internet amongst the socially excluded is low mainly because internet‐capable cell phones are still beyond the reach of the socially excluded and because of limited awareness of what mobile internet is and what it can achieve. The study also shows that while mobile internet has significant impact in addressing exclusion from social participation, its impact on economic as well political dimensions of exclusions is still limited.

MXit it up in the media : media discourse analysis on a mobile instant messaging system

Mobile instant messaging has the potential of providing the youth not only with a social space where they can interact and bond but also with a learning environment. MXit is the most popular mobile instant messaging application in South Africa. Due to its nascency, little academic research has been done on the application. The application has drawn considerable local media interest; however, most of the media coverage has been negative. Media discourse of the application is of academic interest, since media discourse is one of the many ways through which reality is constructed. This means there is a relationship between media discourse and public opinion. Distortions in the media may misinform and engender impaired decision making amongst policymakers as well as members of the public. Discourse analysis can reveal distortions in media communication and counter misinformation. Using critical discourse analysis, we have analysed the media discourse on MXit by employing the Habermasian concept of the ideal speech situation and its validity claims as a conceptual tool. The analysis shows that (i) the media discourse is fraught with distortions; (ii) the media have mainly used the voice of adults to legitimise the discourse and the voices of the youth who are the main users of the application are missing; and (iii) there seems to be a moral panic developing around the use of MXit.

The uses and gratifications of mobile internet among the South African students

This paper investigates the factors that affect the use of mobile internet among the South African students. This is done by using the uses and gratifications (U&G) framework to understand the motivations and extract the intrinsic needs of mobile phone users. Drawing on previous studies on the mobile phone and traditional internet, a model has been developed highlighting the proposed U&Gs. This model was then validated with data gathered through interviews conducted with university students. Our findings are mostly in keeping with previous studies, showing that the U&Gs of mobile internet are an intersection of the UGs of the mobile phone and traditional internet. In addition, this study shows that (1) there is a strong social motivation for mobile internet use; (2) there are inhibiting factors which affect the use of mobile internet; (3) mobile internet may be the preferred and in some cases, the only, means of internet access.

Contextualized preview of image map links

Previewing links in hypertext navigation helps reduce the cognitive overhead associated with deciding whether or not to follow a link. In this paper we introduce a new concept called Dual-Use of Image Space (DUIS) and we show how it is used provide preview information of image map links. In DUIS the pixels in the image space are used both as shading information as well as characters which can be read. This concept provides a mechanism for placing the text information related to images in context, that is, the text is placed within the corresponding objects. Prior to DUIS contextualized preview of links was only possible with text links. The following are the advantages of contextualized preview image map links: (1) Readers can benefit from both the text and the image without making visual saccades between the two. (2) The text does not obstruct the image as is the case in the existing techniques. (3) It is easy for the readers to associate the image and its corresponding image since the two are presented close to each other. The text in the image space may also contain links, and for this reason, it is possible to introduce multiple links for image maps.

Pair programming for information systems students new to programming: Students’ experiences and teachers’ challenges

Pair programming is a programming technique where two programmers work on one programming task simultaneously. One programmer is designated as the driver while the other one is a navigator. In this paper we report of an experiment to gauge experiences and attitudes towards pair programming of information systems students new to programming. The paper also reports on the challenges educators may face in incorporating pair programming in their teaching. The findings of this paper will be useful to educators who are considering incorporating pair programming in their teaching.

In the Eyes of the Media: Discourse of an ICT4D Project in a Developing Country

Media discourse is one way in which social reality is shaped. The media has the power to influence public perceptions on ideologies and innovations and hence their adoption and success. It is, therefore, of academic interest to understand media discourse on Information Technological innovations, especially those which are affected and affect the public. This paper analyses the media discourse on ICT for Development ICT4D projects in developing countries. The study uses as a case the media discourse of the Khanya Project – a flagship ICT for education project in South Africa. Using the Habermasian Theory of Communicative Action as a theoretical lens, the study notes that the media discourse on the project is fraught with distortions. The findings substantiate previous research on media discourse that found that media discourse pushes propaganda to the effect that technological uptake and adoption is crucial and inevitable. The paper further explores the potential causes of the distortions. The findings of this study could form part of the recommendations for agencies responsible for implementing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects for education.

Uses, Benefits and Challenges of Public Access Points in the Face of Growth of Mobile Technology

For over two decades, the use of shared Information and Communication Technology (ICT) access has been promoted as a mode for promoting access to technology, especially in developing countries, hence minimising the effects of the digital divide on those on the wrong side of the divide. Recent discourse on the momentous diffusion of mobile telephony in developing countries has questioned the rationale of promoting fixed shared access, since people are bound to prefer mobile phones over shared access points. This paper seeks to empirically explore the use of shared access points in the wake of the increasing diffusion and usage of mobile technology. We explored the actual use of shared computing facilities, the benefits users accrue from using the facilities and the challenges they face in using and in gaining benefits. We used a case study of a shared facility in a disadvantaged community in Cape Town. The study noted that the demand for the shared facilities is still high. We noted that the center is used for both instrumental and hedonic purposes. It was also noted that there are economic, social and psychological benefits from using the facilities. However, it was noted that use of the facilities is beset by a number of challenges which limit use and benefits from the usage. The paper also noted the strategies users employ to overcome the challenges.

Investigating the impact of internet in eliminating social exclusion: The case of South Africa

In many other developing countries Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is seen as a means for tackling the problem of social exclusion. This perspective of ICTs has translated into governments and donor agencies spending on establishing Internet access points (e.g. telecentres) in socially excluded communities. Yet, beyond the belief of inherently beneficial ICTs there has been little empirical work done to evaluate the impact of ICTs, notably the Internet, in helping address social exclusion. This paper investigates whether the Internet does contribute to the elimination of social exclusion. The cross-sectional study uses a qualitative research approach on four communities in the Western Cape, South Africa. The major finding of the paper is that the Internet does play a very minimal role in eliminating social exclusion, with very few beneficiaries. The implication of the findings is that governments in developing countries may need to downsize their expectations of the Internet in addressing social exclusion. The relative investment on bringing the Internet against other necessary infrastructure spends (such as healthcare, education and economic resuscitation) may need to be revisited.

Different Shades of Success: Educator Perception of Government Strategy on E-Education in South Africa

In most literature evaluating ICT4D projects in education, the yard stick used to evaluate ICT implementation in business which seeks to establish value is used. As a result most of the projects are in our opinion, wrongly deemed to have been failed. We propose that a better measure of success should consider the context in which the project exists and the perception of the intended recipients – for example a similar objective measure of project outcome could be perceived differently by people of different economic and social status. In this paper, we will demonstrate this concept by evaluating the perception of success of the implementation of an e‐learning strategy in disadvantaged areas in South Africa. Data for the study was collected through various qualitative means in selected disadvantaged areas of Cape Town. Even though a number of existing evaluations point to general failure of implementation of the e‐learning strategy, our study showed that the teachers in the disadvantaged areas considered the system a success based on the intangible benefits they derived from the implementation. Therefore this paper calls for a different way of evaluating ICT for education systems.

The Livelihood Outcomes of ICT Use in Microenterprises: The Case of South Africa

This study is premised on the understanding that microenterprises play an important role in the socio‐economic development of developing countries. Using the case of South Africa, this paper reports on a study of the impact of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the livelihoods of microenterprises in a developing country context. The study used qualitative data gathered through in‐depth interviews, observations, documentary review and field notes. The findings of the study confirm that ICT use has a positive impact on the livelihoods of microenterprises. However, it was noted that ICT use in microenterprises is often curtailed by challenges beyond access and ownership of ICT. Chief among the challenges is the lack of awareness of ICT use in business activities. The study also investigated whether embedding ICT support within a business support programme would improve the chances and quality of appropriation. It was noted that the strategy did not always yield positive outcomes.