ICT4 Emergent Development: Using Second Life and Web 2.0 in the Dominican Republic for Innovation and Emergence: Conclusion
Submitted by Jan and Heloisa Herder, July 19, 2009
This is a brief abstract of the conclusion of a year and half project in the Dominican Republic using the virtual world Second Life and other web 2.0 applications for full capacity transfer. Working in tandem with an organization that was the think tank of President Leonel Fernandez, Funglode.org, we engaged multi sectors of society, introducing social networking tools, open access to information and free and open access to the virtual world Second Life.
Can emerging technologies and openness to information and communication technologies stimulate innovation, provide solutions to entrenched inherited problems from the 18th and 19th Centuries, and raise the standard of living where most of the population lives on under $1.00 a day? Given open access to a global community of experts and resources how do residents of a developing country engage, emerge, innovate and seek solutions to problems? How does a web 2.0 environment transform the lives and aggregate diverse segments of the society to innovate?
We engaged a number of institutions including universities, a technology development corporation, businesses, NGO’s and individuals. We provided training and access to resources. Using a ning, we developed a social networking group that grew from 10 original members to over 700 Dominicans as well as people from other countries. Content created includes blogs, videos, photographs and discussions, as well as some collaborative projects that emerged due to networking.
In the virtual world we developed and collaborated on a simulator ‘island’ in Second Life, Republica Dominicana Virtual. The island featured historical buildings and landmarks, representations of spaces of our partners, as well as imaginative builds and interactive activities. Using the platform to encourage creative economy enterprises we developed a mall for generating income, skills and awareness building. Current traffic on the sim has been documented at over 200 unique visits within a one month period.
Micro enterprise results show that while in world currencies are insignificant to first world residents, income for citizens in the DR can be dramatically increased with easily attainable skills. This is assuming access to computers and broadband. Recognizing inherit divisions and exclusions in the digital divide we engaged the growing network of Community Technology Centers (CTC’s) in an effort to leverage the Telecenter movement to provide access for the Bottom of the Pyramid. Members of the diaspora were particularly engaged and profited from the open resources, reviving many associations and connections to their country of origin and facilitating use of the tools.
Citizens from other Latin and Central American countries found great interest in the project, visited the simulator and joined the social network, contributing content and sharing experiences. Although certain societal structures prevent rapid acceptance of open access to resources, there are clear advantages and gains in development and emergence using open ICT, virtual worlds and web 2.0 platforms. Participants expanded their Professional Networks, learned new skills, and in some cases contributed to their income through the sale of digital objects.
Submitted by Jan and Heloisa Herder, July 19, 2009
This is a brief abstract of the conclusion of a year and half project in the Dominican Republic using the virtual world Second Life and other web 2.0 applications for full capacity transfer. Working in tandem with an organization that was the think tank of President Leonel Fernandez, Funglode.org, we engaged multi sectors of society, introducing social networking tools, open access to information and free and open access to the virtual world Second Life.
Can emerging technologies and openness to information and communication technologies stimulate innovation, provide solutions to entrenched inherited problems from the 18th and 19th Centuries, and raise the standard of living where most of the population lives on under $1.00 a day? Given open access to a global community of experts and resources how do residents of a developing country engage, emerge, innovate and seek solutions to problems? How does a web 2.0 environment transform the lives and aggregate diverse segments of the society to innovate?
We engaged a number of institutions including universities, a technology development corporation, businesses, NGO’s and individuals. We provided training and access to resources. Using a ning, we developed a social networking group that grew from 10 original members to over 700 Dominicans as well as people from other countries. Content created includes blogs, videos, photographs and discussions, as well as some collaborative projects that emerged due to networking.
In the virtual world we developed and collaborated on a simulator ‘island’ in Second Life, Republica Dominicana Virtual. The island featured historical buildings and landmarks, representations of spaces of our partners, as well as imaginative builds and interactive activities. Using the platform to encourage creative economy enterprises we developed a mall for generating income, skills and awareness building. Current traffic on the sim has been documented at over 200 unique visits within a one month period.
Micro enterprise results show that while in world currencies are insignificant to first world residents, income for citizens in the DR can be dramatically increased with easily attainable skills. This is assuming access to computers and broadband. Recognizing inherit divisions and exclusions in the digital divide we engaged the growing network of Community Technology Centers (CTC’s) in an effort to leverage the Telecenter movement to provide access for the Bottom of the Pyramid. Members of the diaspora were particularly engaged and profited from the open resources, reviving many associations and connections to their country of origin and facilitating use of the tools.
Citizens from other Latin and Central American countries found great interest in the project, visited the simulator and joined the social network, contributing content and sharing experiences. Although certain societal structures prevent rapid acceptance of open access to resources, there are clear advantages and gains in development and emergence using open ICT, virtual worlds and web 2.0 platforms. Participants expanded their Professional Networks, learned new skills, and in some cases contributed to their income through the sale of digital objects.