Technology Salon

Tomorrow @ 11am: TCO of ICT in Schools Discussion

2008-11-05T14:34:56Z

This is a reminder that tomorrow at 11am, we will have a very special Technology Salon. In coordination with the World Bank e-Development Thematic Group and infoDev, we will have a World Bank ICT and Education Community of Practice Discussion:

How much does it really cost to introduce and sustain computers in schools? A discussion of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and models of affordable computing for schools in developing countries. We'll focus on two new reports and deployment tools:
1. TCO in Indian schools: http://tinyurl.com/6a8x74
2. TCO in 1:1 deployments: http://tinyurl.com/6e29me

The lively presentation and discussion of both activities, their potential implications, and the underlying methodologies will be led by:
* Karen Coppock, VP of Consulting Services, Vital Wave Consulting
* Brendan Smith, Senior Consultant, Vital Wave Consulting
* Jon Camfield, Director of ICT, Youth Service America

Logistics:
11am to 12:30pm - 6 November 2008
The World Bank "J" Building,
701 18th Street, NW, room J-B1-075

If you haven't already, please RSVP to Lorelei Lacdao, mlacdao@worldbank.org with the subject line: "Attend ICT/ed TCO meeting". If you cannot make the event, please join us on the webcast: http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live

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Nov 6 Technology Salon - Total Cost of Ownership of Computers in Schools

2008-10-23T16:14:18Z

For November, we have a very special Technology Salon. In coordination with the World Bank e-Development Thematic Group and infoDev, we will have a World Bank ICT and Education Community of Practice Discussion on Total Cost of Ownership:

* How much does it really cost to introduce and sustain computers in schools? A discussion of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and models of affordable computing for schools in developing countries. *

"Total cost of ownership" (TCO) is often underestimated, sometimes grossly, when calculating costs of ICT in education initiatives in developing countries. Estimates of initial costs to purchase equipment to overall costs over time vary widely; typically they lie between 10-25% of total cost. That said, there is a dearth of reliable data, and useful tools, to help guide education decision makers in their assessments of the true costs of educational technology initiatives.

A recent whitepaper from Vital Wave Consulting, "Affordable Computing for Schools in Developing Countries: A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Model for Education Officials", and accompanying case study of ICT in education initiatives in India, provide further insight and perspective on this important and often controversial issue. The white paper discusses key issues related to technology use in education and presents several major findings.

At the same time, we now have an update to the TCO Tool for schools developed by the Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) and Mr. Camfield. This tool, "Deploying 1:1 educational models in large scale: a practical budgeting tool based on TCO", is currently being utilized as part of planning processes in Rwanda, drawing on lessons learned from its earlier use elsewhere in Africa, most notably in Namibia.

Come join what we hope to be a lively presentation and discussion of the findings of both activities, their potential implications, and the underlying methodologies and assumptions underpinning the models explored in this work.

Total Cost of Ownership of Computers in Schools
- How much does it really cost to introduce and sustain computers in schools? A discussion of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and models of affordable computing for schools in developing countries.

Speakers:
- Karen Coppock, VP of Consulting Services, Vital Wave Consulting
- Brendan Smith, Senior Consultant, Vital Wave Consulting
- Jon Camfield, Director of ICT, Youth Service America

Logistics:
11am to 12:30pm - 6 November 2008
The World Bank "J" Building,
701 18th Street, NW, room J-B1-075

While this Technology Salon promises to be larger than usual, seating is still limited, so please RSVP to Lorelei Lacdao, mlacdao@worldbank.org with the subject line: "Attend ICT/ed TCO meeting"

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September Technology Salon - USAID ICT4D Challeneges

2008-09-18T11:48:22Z

The Technology Salon http://technologysalon.org/ returns to Washington DC this September 25th to explore an innovative initiative from USAID: ICT4D Challenges.

Akin to the contests that had Lindbergh cross the Atlantic and Rutan/Branson cross into space, ICT4D challenges (contests, makeovers, and competitions) will leverage user-driven innovation to create ICT-based solutions for major development challenges, with the incentive of cash prizes and possible inclusion in a USAID project. These challenges will spur innovation at the nexus of development and technology while forging new connections between the technology and development communities.

What better forum to explore where USAID is going with these challenges and help shape that path than the Technology Salon, our intimate and informal discussion of technology and development?

Leading the conversation will be Seema Patel, Alliance and Management Specialist for DAI, who is consulting with USAID on the Global Development Commons Initiative - the sponsor of the ICT4D challenges. Our gracious host is the UN Foundation and I'll have coffee and donuts for a good morning sugar rush to wake everyone up.

September Technology Salon: USAID's ICT4D Challenges
Thursday, September 25th, 8:30-10am,
UN Foundation Conference Room
1800 Mass Avenue, NW, Suite 400,
Washington, D.C. 20036
map: http://tinyurl.com/53hdo4

Do note that seating is limited and the UN Foundation is in a secure building. So the first dozen (12) to RSVP will be confirmed attendance and then there will be a waitlist.

Wayan

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July 15th RSVP Reminder: Empowering m-Banking, Legally

2008-07-08T18:10:44Z

For the July Technology Salon, we're returning to the cellular technology world, with a twist. We'll be discussing mobile banking, m-Banking, but we'll move beyond the handsets and the hype to discuss the legal frameworks required to make it a reality. We'll have a vibrant discussion on the legal and regulatory barriers to make local and intra-regional m-Banking a reality in the developing world, lead by Michael Tetelman of AED, and Ann Casanova of CARANA. They're working on two different projects where the development community can facilitate m-Banking

We'll also have coffee and donuts, but seating is limited to a dozen (12) participants, and the UN Foundation is in a secure building. So please RSVP today!

July Technology Salon: Empowering m-Banking, Legally
Tuesday, July 15th, 8:30-10am,
UN Foundation Conference Room
1800 Mass Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
map: http://tinyurl.com/53hdo4

RSVP to wayan@wayan.com

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July 15th: Empowering m-Banking, Legally

2008-07-02T18:10:49Z

For the July Technology Salon, we're returning to the cellular technology world, with a twist. We'll be discussing mobile banking, m-Banking, but we'll move beyond the handsets and the hype to discuss the legal frameworks required to make it a reality.

In some countries, text messages cannot be used as evidence in court - a problem if that's all you have to show for a money transfer. In other regions, cross-border and multi-currency transactions is the domain of banks, not mobile operators. In either situation or more, what is the development community's response to facilitate m-Banking?

Please join Michael Tetelman of AED, and Ann Casanova of CARANA, at the UN Foundation headquarters for a vibrant discussion of their work in overcoming legal and regulatory barriers to make local and intra-regional m-Banking a reality in the developing world.

July Technology Salon: Empowering m-Banking, Legally
Tuesday, July 15th, 8:30-10am
UN Foundation Conference Room
1800 Mass Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
map: http://tinyurl.com/53hdo4

Do note that coffee and donuts will be served, seating is limited, and the UN Foundation is in a secure building. So the first dozen (12) to RSVP at wayan@wayan.com will be confirmed attendance and then there will be a waitlist.

About the Speakers

Ann Casanova is a lawyer with fourteen years of combined experience in multilateral trade negotiations, institutional strengthening, and management of USAID and IDB projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Ms. Casanova joined CARANA Corporation in 2004 as Vice President of the firm's Trade Practice.

Dr. Michael S. Tetelman is director of the dot-ORG program at the Academy for Educational Development (AED), and designs and manages innovative ICT infrastructure and applications projects that stimulate economic growth and improve the service delivery of governments and other institutions.

About the Technology Salon

Wayan Vota hosts the Technology Salon, an intimate and informal discussion around emerging trends in technology and international development, with a focus on both:
- technology's impact on donor-sponsored technical assistance delivery, and
- private enterprise driven economic development, facilitated by technology.

Active participation with your ideas, opinions, and predictions is actively encouraged, and Power Point presentations are banned. If you'd like to join us, please subscribe: http://technologysalon.org/

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