Group Project

Networked Learning

A guide developed by Harvard entitled Readiness for the Networked World was designed to measure the propensity for a community to exploit the opportunities offered by information and communications technology (ICT). In other words, it is a framework used to help determine the degree to which a community is prepared to participate in the Networked World (Readiness). The guide accomplishes this by evaluating a community's relative advancement in ICT in terms of adoption and how technologies are being applied. Through statistical data and interpreted analysis, we will assess Brazil 's network readiness in terms of Networking Learning, which is the integration of ICTs into the education processes (Readiness). The assessment will begin by outlining the current condition of Brazil 's school system in terms of physical access to ICTs. This will be followed by an assessment of how ICTs are being integrated in order to optimize the learning process. Finally, opportunities that help develop the future ICT workforce, such as first-time and continuing training will be assessed.

The current condition of Brazil 's school system in terms of physical access to ICTs can be evaluated by determining the amount and types of computers, diffusion of the network, ability to access electronic content, and quality or speed of connectivity in the school (Readiness). According to the Intel World Ahead Program in Brazil , a partnership aimed at delivering affordable ICT solutions to developing communities, 20 percent of schools in Brazil have access to the Internet (Intel). Once connected to the Internet, content is widely available. According to a 2006 Gartner study, the ISP market in Brazil has the third-largest number of Internet users in the Americas , surpassed only by the U.S. and Canada (Stuart). The study attributes the “rapid growth levels” of Brazil's Internet market to an improved macroeconomic situation, which has led service providers to facilitate PC acquisitions by consumers, further increasing the amount of people connected (Stuart). There lies a disparity however, between the communities that are connected to the network and the remaining 75 percent of the country who are not (Intel). According to an article in the International Harold Tribute, the Brazilian government is working hard to gap this digital divide. The article discussed the importance of Intel's laptops, which focus on the majority of the education system who do not have computers. The laptops come with a 900 megahertz processor, wireless internet, and weigh less than 3 pounds ( Brazil ).

In addition to evaluating Brazil 's school system in terms of physical access to ICTs, it is important to assess how the technology is being integrated in order to optimize the learning process. In June 2005, Brazil president Lula da Silva endorsed the One Laptop per Child program for Brazil 's youth (One Laptop Per Child). This program is designed to provide technologically inferior countries with personal laptop computers to help educated the youth and progress technological progress in these countries. Once a member of this program, Brazil will be in a beneficial position to help its future generation become more technologically literate, by proving their populations youth with cheap but modern laptops (OLPC.com). Schools in Brazil are also focused on developing their technological infrastructure at the college level. Collegiate students are being recognized for their aptitude in the field of technology and have seen rewards as a result. Students at the PUC-Rio University participate in incubator programs that are designed to help student organizations grow from an idea into a legitimate business. This program has been recognized by the government as an asset to Brazil 's positive technological progression. The government built a new computer lab, in which these students could conduct their business, for them in 2006. Students at this University participating in this program now have the technology to make themselves a serious competitor in their individual areas of business.

Currently, Brazil is at the forefront of telecommunications infrastructure in terms of South and Central America . With the help of government partnerships, such as that with Intel, the country is moving towards an education system where all students are equipped with computers. Brazilians have also put themselves into a position to progress their technological literacy by rewarding the youth for aptitude in areas of technology and providing technology to citizens at a young age.

After careful assessment of opportunities that help develop the future ICT workforce, such as first-time and or continuing training includes essential skills such as software programming, hardware engineering, and World Wide Web (WWW) design. In creating a sustainable ICT industry and to support the integration of ICT's into the local economy, these opportunities are fundamental. With these skillful opportunities, third-world countries can really embrace the ICT fundamentals and integrate it into their own schooling system for more successful results in the IT industry.