I have numerous jobs in addition to my writing, one of which involves working with new technology. I know it’s a stereotype to say that Indians are good with computers, but I welcome it in my case, mostly because it’s hilariously untrue. I’ve avoided technology as much as possible–I didn’t have an email address until 1996, and it’s still a crapshoot if my cell phone is working–despite coming from a family of technophiles. What they actually do to these computers, I have no idea, but despite being voted Most Likely to Spill Coke On the Keyboard Again, I find myself reasonably skilled at this new IT-oriented gig. Nature or nurture? Or dumb luck? Discuss.
But what about those who are not just computer illiterate, but actually unable to read or write? Microsoft has a plan: make computers that don’t depend on words. This March 2006 USA Today article talks about how a new breed of computers can help often-illiterate domestic servants:
Working with a local advocacy group, Microsoft has developed a prototype of a system that would connect illiterate domestic workers in India with families seeking their services. The system uses pictures, video and voice commands to tell women what jobs are available, how much the jobs pay and where they are.
Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before? For one thing:
they [the domestic workers] had trouble seeing why a computerized system for finding work was better than traditional word-of-mouth
Additionally, the computer’s images and pictures had to bridge language and cultural gaps, such as this one:
the women associated neighborhoods with landmarks rather than addresses, so an interactive map and verbal directions had to be tweaked to represent that.
Finally–the big hurdle: implementation. This CNET article discusses the difficulties poorer areas of India have getting computer literate. Apart from the most obvious issue of languages, there is problem of power:
To save power, the PCs run on car and truck batteries. Unfortunately, the batteries regularly need recharging and the public electrical power system can’t always handle the demand.
and crime:
Three weeks ago, the village transformer blew because too many people tapped into it illegally, a chronic problem here. The government refused to rebuild the transformer until the villagers promised to punish anyone who stole power.
and bad freakin’ luck:
The day after it was rebuilt, the transformer blew again.
That’s coupled by the fact that not enough rural Indians even own a computer–although, if Intel has its way, they’ll be a lot cheaper.
One option is to put up a kiosk in a community center, Toyama said.
Hmmm…there has to be a better way…but maybe it would work if it were manned by a techie-social worker type.
Check out the links…it’s an exciting project if it can be marketed properly–both for those looking for work and those looking for workers. In an ideal world, I’d want all these computers to teach literacy first, but reading a good novel is not always a priority to those struggling to feed their families. I remember what it felt like to realize that a computer was a useful tool working for me, not against me–it’s a nice feeling, and I hope these women get to have it too.
Also–check out an earlier post by Abhi…scroll down and you will see how some people are applying their tech knowledge to the illiteracy issue:
…consider a pedagogical tool, the computer-based functional literacy (CBFL) program, developed by Indian software pioneer Faqir Chand Kohli. Within a mere 8 to 10 weeks and at a cost of a mere U.S. $2 (provided a discarded computer is supplied for free), an illiterate adult using this tool can read his or her first newspaper. In the past 2 years alone, 40,000 adults from five states in India have been made literate. If CBFL is launched as the technical engine of a national literacy movement, in less than 5 years, 200 million adult illiterates can learn to read.
one can only imagine what that’s going to do to the comments section of this blog…
swoon Let a million Opal Mehtas bloom…
Raj Reddy got it right, I must say.Microsoft’s experiment is only the latest (and not as novel as the magazine makes it sound actually) in a series of efforts being made in India and elsewhere in the developing world, in spreading functional literacy.
I happen to know a lot about the CBFL program mentioned in Abhi’s earlier post (Don’t ask me how, please.Just trust me.Thanks). F.C. Kohli is not an Indian software engineer. He is the Father of Indian IT industry ( he started TCS, the first and largest Indian IT major). And CBFL is one of his pet ideas, developed and implemented by TCS as part of its corporate social responsibility porgram.
I don’t find any thing wrong with that pedagogical model. But to say that it has been a success is a grand exaggeration. The program was first implemented in Andhra Pradesh and the software was titled ‘Avasaram’ (The Need). It used horrendous color schemes and badly done up graphics (the developers did not know about heuristics, cultural factors in usability, so on and so forth.Long story.sigh).
As it was a freebie from the IT major, the State Govt did not mind extending a helping hand.The publicity was not bad for a CM who was busy promoting his IT-savviness in front of visiting trade delegations and IT honchos like Gates.
If the program was really effective, it would have made a difference to the villagers who were the ‘subjects’. I don’t think it did.Today, this CBFL program is limited to being talked about as a case study. That’s all.
Two years back, IBM tried to connect schools in slum areas in Bangalore through a WAN, provided some connectivity and attempted education through a TV channel. IBM had achieved great results with a similar program in the US a few years back. But somehow they could not replicate the idea successfully in Bangalore. I mean, they started well, but could not sustain it.
Come to think of it, people watch TV in even remote parts of India.And UGC has a channel dedicated for public education programming. The programs are so boring that only semi-nerds like me used to watch them (for the science classes of course).Personally, I believe TV is a more accessible medium to spread any awareness in a country like India.What with convergence and all, it should be possible for Microsoft to deliver their IT solution through TV.
Enough of a ramble I guess. Good post. Liked it.
its called bengaluru now.
I will continue to call it Bangalore. I have continued to use Bombay and Madras in conversations. And people always understand. You are of course free to call it Bengaluru.And I will understand.
This is like offering the hungry a plate from Tiffany to eat from! I get the technological advance factor but word of mouth and a more grassroots effort would be more effective with domestic workers. India already has somewhat of such a concept among the middle and upper middle class. Almost every family belongs to some form of a “social” or “sports” or “cultural” club. The networking that takes place there is great grounds to establish something like this on a basic level. People that need domestic help come register and the offers open to anyone looking for a job. The only thing missing right now is someone there to make the match and connection. Honestly in India word of mouth works because a domestic worker is usually recommended and trusted so he/she needs to come with a reference.
If this was give away for free, then I would rationally expect these domestic workers to sell their computers to a car dude who’ll rig them up as cheap gps systems. hail brown!
One Laptop per Child also shows some promise…
Wind-up power should solve problems of transformers blowing up!
Literacy is one of the biggest problems we have. We have been trying traditional methods to fight illiteracy. I think it’s time we try out new avenues, including using high-tech. We may not succeed at first. But, for a problem so deep-rooted, we need a solution that is radical.
neeraja:
Illiteracy is a major handicap. It makes no sense to see deprivation purely in terms of income poverty. The kinds of participatory opportunities you have in society are determined by literacy. As an example, female agency, fertility reduction, the survival of children have been shown to improve with higher rates of literacy. All of the listed are pressing problems in India. We must remember that different kinds of handicaps reinforce each other. Often a women’s life is not improved solely by her ability to find work. Work and income in itself mean nothing if you do not have control over ur life and body.
hey this is really interesting
Then why not call it India, Hindustan? Names change only when people use them. Its tough at first, I know. First they laugh at you, then they afraid of you, then they buy you ice cream.