The ICT Centre: Design and Usability Project Proposal Abstract
Scientific research studies have clearly showed that digital solutions towards self-actualisation and socioeducation development in developing countries have significantly lower digital technology applications and utilization rates than the developed countries due to the socio-cultural attitudes in
Developing societies. Based on this fact, various IT/ICT research studies and projects are beginning to show the importance to engage with digital technology through IT/ICT in education, especially in developing countries.
This IT/ICT project proposal is a synthesis – for the background – of proposed IT/ICT Centre, its design, usability and implementation for the Remo Kingdom Development Foundation (RemoGDF) ICT Directorate in anticipation of utilization of digital technologies towards self-actualization and socioeducation development in Remo kingdom, Ogun State, Nigeria.
The rationale for this is to support and encourage IT/ICTs use (digital solutions) for self-actualisation and socio-education development in its region and to find appropriate ways of improving the use of computer
technology and technology-supported approaches to ensure self actualisation and societal development.
Introduction
This project proposal will explore and suggest digital solutions for tackling several socio-education and gender challenges, with regard to practical (digital) education facing the region. Some of these socio-education challenges according to Jyrki Pulkkinen, CEO, Global eSchool and Communities Initiatives, are “lack of universal access to education; poor quality of education; poor management of education system and increasing irrelevance of current education system in the knowledge society” (2010) [In Ogunbase, A. 2016]. These can be visibly related specifically to the use of computer technology education towards self actualisation, empowerment and societal development in most developing countries. IT/ICT project is necessary for the socio-education improvement of the citizens of Remo kingdom as according
to Sophia Huyer, the Executive Director of Women in Global Science and Technology (WIGSAT); the Executive Director of the Gender Advisory Board of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development; and her counterpart from the INSTRAW Staff, Tatjana Sikoska. “The continuous development of new technologies and their application to economic, political and social processes is creating new opportunities that could enhance the quality of human life.
New types of economic and employment opportunities i.e., e-commerce; new types of education modalities, such as distance learning and on-line training; possibilities to access institutions of governance using on-line access to information; are just few of the opportunities emerging as a result of the use and application of ICTs in development” (Huyer & Sikoska, 2003).
In this respect, this IT/ICT project will focus on practical digital education and training to tackle socio-economic
problems and enhance the quality of their life towards economic and employment opportunities in the region.
Through, IT/ICT Education and Training, the participants will be prepared toward new types of education modalities, such as, distance learning and on-line learning training, etcetera, as a vital part of ICT-use and application in development. In line with this, the IT/ICT project/centre establishment in the region through practical Information Technology training/education for teenage students/participants will promote their economic and gender status in societal development.
Methodology and Hypothesis/Questions
Media education and Information Communication Technology education is becoming thinner everyday as a result of technology growth (H1). Technologies and technology supported approaches to virtual learning are
gaining in more popularity as ways to improve gender equality (H2). IT/ICTs use in Education and Training are
good starting points for promoting empowerment and societal development (H3).
In view of these: How can computers connected to networks applications and information communication technology-use is introduced to support gender equality? How can the school students and members of the communities be supported and encouraged to make use of the computer applications and appreciation and use of information communication technology to promote self actualisation and empowerment?
To address these, surveys and practical works should focus on computer applications and appreciation training of school students on the general information about empowerment, self-actualisation and societal development.
It should focus on the participants’ expectations in applying computer technology and related technologies to better the lives in the society. It should lead to the requirements necessary for societal equality towards skills acquisition, online learning, virtual learning higher education and full participation in the society. The project work planned This project proposal is based on processes and procedures of virtual learning, e-learning design and evaluating
courses, designing e-modules, practical computer applications and usability supports, and project management
for participants from education and non-education Institutions in the region. The project will enable ambitious youths and adults to make use of IT/ICTs and learn different IT and Computer Applications and Appreciation Prepared By: Adewunmi Obafemi Ogunbase, PhD, FInst.C.M. Founder/Director, E-Based Socio-Educational Foundation (ESEF). (femiogunbasea@hotmail.com)
Page 2 for their future academic and social excellences in different prominent universities, work organisations and private socio-economic life.
A: Project tools, such as, Personal Computers (Desktops), Laptop Computers (standard specification), Overhead Projectors, Printer-Scanner, CCTV 360degree camera and other computer related technologies. The location of the IT/ICT centre will be in Remo Kingdom of Ogun State, Nigeria and expected to have considerable number of highly IT/ICT competent academic and non-academic staff who will serve as facilitators supporting the participants/students during learning/practical sessions.
B: Other items/activities anticipated should consist among others, the followings:
i) Digital technology/learning platform (i.e. e-books, e-classrooms, work activities, assessments & submissions, Group Discussion and Feedbacks on a World Wide Web).
ii) Partnerships (i.e. collaborating with local and foreign educational and non-educational institutions) and
manpower assistance and academic partnerships – in form of collaboration with a registered non-governmental
organisations and business organisations sharing similar aims and objectives.
iii) Project management skill workshops, e.g. ‘Be Yourself Boss’ (BYB) management education, IT/ICT library,
Knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer teams, etc.
Infrastructures
A: IT/ICT Tools & Network Installation
The implementation will depend on the needs of the directorate as well as the size of the building/location to be used for the ICT centre. These issues need to be clarified and checked before implementation/installation of IT/ICT tools and networking system. However, the following can be installed as network infrastructure as standard use and measurement:
v Computers on Wireless Network Installation (i.e. Wireless Internet Services) can take these formats –
v Computers on Wired Network Installation (i.e. Physical Cabling of Computers, excluding laptops) – Large-scale sample.
Prepared By: Adewunmi Obafemi Ogunbase, PhD, FInst.C.M.
Founder/Director, E-Based Socio-Educational Foundation (ESEF).
(femiogunbasea@hotmail.com) Page 3
Mini-scale sample. With this type, each cable is connected to the individual computer (desktop) and each pot on the wired networked that is connected to DSL router/internet.
v Security Cameras Surveillance (CCTV) –
v Fire Alarm System (Smoke Detectors & Sounders)
Note: The best and suitable connection and networking will, as written earlier, depend on the IT/ICTs’ standard, internet quality, needs and location of the IT/ICT centre. My Foundation (E-Based Socio-Educational Foundation, located in Sagamu) can assist with the networking installation at reasonable cost/charge. IT installation technical advice and feasibility study – assessment of the practicality of the proposed IT/ICT Centre plan and method that are based on the equipments (quantity) is highly required for quality choice. Prepared By: Adewunmi Obafemi Ogunbase,
B. Digital technology/learning platform (WWW)
Contact the Directorate via – ict@remogdf.org.ng