Being literate opens doors for
success in education and life.
Having access to libraries is one of the main keys for literacy
development. Since we live
in a global and interconnected world with the advent of technology, it is
important to have access to the massive amount of information and reading resources available online. Libraries are no longer confined to 4 walls since the internet allows for 24/7 accessibility to the library catalogue, databases, and e-books. In fact,
the United Nations Human Rights Council mentions that having Internet Access is
a basic human right, which can be found at:
Human Rights Council. (May 16, 2011). Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
Frank La Rue. (2011). United Nations General Assembly
Retrieved from
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC)
“declares broadband internet access a basic service” as mentioned in the
following article:
Kupfer, Matthew. (2016). CRTC Declares Broadband Internet Access a Basic
Services. CBC.ca. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/crtc-internet-essential-service-1.3906664
Value of Mobile Devices for Libraries and Literacy
Mobile devices allows the users to use the internet for their inquiry needs, current information, and social connections. Since a lot of us in Canada are fortunate to have access to libraries and internet, how do we make it equitable for those who do not? How can libraries provide both print and digital resources to help developing nations as well as impoverished and rural areas both locally and aboard? The following articles and book discusses how using mobile devices can help increase literacy and global awareness for low-income families in North America and in other countries:
Mobile devices allows the users to use the internet for their inquiry needs, current information, and social connections. Since a lot of us in Canada are fortunate to have access to libraries and internet, how do we make it equitable for those who do not? How can libraries provide both print and digital resources to help developing nations as well as impoverished and rural areas both locally and aboard? The following articles and book discusses how using mobile devices can help increase literacy and global awareness for low-income families in North America and in other countries:
Hardesty, Larry. (2016). Can Technology Help Teach Literacy in
Poor Communities? MTV News. Retrieved from http://news.mit.edu/2016/literacy-apps-poor-communities-0426
- a four year study that used
tablets with literacy apps to help with reading in “economically disadvantage
communities” in Africa and United States
Kist, William. (2013). The Global
School. Solution Tree Press.
- using iPads with literacy apps
starting in Kindergarten in rural Black River Local School and connecting
students half way across the world by learning about Chinese culture and
language
- the internet has the power to connect students to the
world by using Global Earth, virtual fieldtrips to sites and buildings, and visiting museum artifacts online
Mueller, Britt & Shamel, Cindy. (2017) Delivering Library Services and Content Mobile-Savvy Consumers. Retrieved from https://www.sla.org/learn/information-outlook/delivering-library-services-content-mobile-savvy-consumers/
-This article from Special Library Association discusses
the importance of mobile devices for library services and having libraries lead the way.
Who is helping?
It is heartening to see that through
my inquiry research that there are many great non-profit organizations and
schools working towards providing printed resources to libraries as well as infrastructures
and mobile devices that allow for 24/7 access to digital libraries and educational
apps for literacy. These are the many organizations helping to build libraries, provide digital
libraries and literacies, provide infrastructures, and provide mobile devices:
* The Canadian government and tax
payers
-The federal government’s Connect
to Innovate program is “investing up to
$500 million to bring high-speed, broadband internet access to 300 rural and
rural remote communities by 2021.”
-This will be beneficial to many Aboriginal communities in the Northern parts of Canada
-This will be beneficial to many Aboriginal communities in the Northern parts of Canada
* Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation
- https://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Global-Libraries
- "Global Library Overview" and the following is their goal:
- "Global Library Overview" and the following is their goal:
 |
| Retrieved from https://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Global-Libraries |
*First Book Canada
-provides books to low income families in Canada
*Free Library
-a little box that allows children "to take a book and return a book", a simple way to start a library collection and community
-Miranda Nelson's article in the Georgia Straight (2014), "Mapping Vancouver's Neighbourhood Book Exchange" can be retrieved at
https://www.straight.com/blogra/570356/mapping-vancouvers-neighborhood-book-exchanges
-Miranda Nelson's article in the Georgia Straight (2014), "Mapping Vancouver's Neighbourhood Book Exchange" can be retrieved at
https://www.straight.com/blogra/570356/mapping-vancouvers-neighborhood-book-exchanges
 |
| Retrieved from https://littlefreelibrary.org |
* Library For All.
-cloud based digital library program, providing quality books through mobile devices in developing countries
* Libraries without Border
-"call to action" to provide "books, information, and cultural resources" for “international humanitarian relief” and “to cope with trauma” in areas devastated by natural or human made disasters.
-the following YouTube video below is called "Meet the Ideas Box: A Library/Media Centre ready in 20 minutes" that can be retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PiL1I1cBJI
-the following YouTube video below is called "Meet the Ideas Box: A Library/Media Centre ready in 20 minutes" that can be retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PiL1I1cBJI
* One Laptop Per Child
http://one.laptop.org
-"empower the world's poorest children through education" by using small, low cost, durable laptops
-"empower the world's poorest children through education" by using small, low cost, durable laptops
* Rumie
-Retrieved from https://www.rumie.org/about-us/
-Retrieved from https://www.rumie.org/about-us/
-Canadian company that offers low cost tablets with interactive digital library and "free digital education" for "underserved communities worldwide" and in Canada
-Learncloud where educators can add programs to it at https://learncloud.rumie.org/search
-The following YouTube video below is retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEq9oXjcGhA&feature=youtu.be
-Learncloud where educators can add programs to it at https://learncloud.rumie.org/search
-The following YouTube video below is retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEq9oXjcGhA&feature=youtu.be
How can we help?
* have our students be aware of
the literacy needs of our communities and other countries so that they can
collaborate together an action plan
* donate used mobile devices like
tablets and smartphones
* donate money to non-profit charitable organizations
* donate quality printed resources
* lobby the government for
libraries in rural areas, new infractures that will provide internet for all,
funding of mobile devices to those in poverty
3 comments:
Hi Sally,
I appreciated your post. I was especially interested in the Rumie tablet. It looks promising as a literacy tool for refugee camps. This week I discovered the Idea Box concept as well. While it looks fantastic, I am so curious how much it would cost to set it up. With all the technology packed in there, I bet it's very pricey. I find it exciting to see how they are being used in developing countries and also in a refugee camp in Greece. Oh the possibilities! ...
Many good links, examples, media and connections to the dozens of organizations all working to improve access, resources and support for developing countries who are desperate for the information. Your survey of whats out there was quite extensive with a little bit of commentary and evaluation, but a bit more critical view would be helpful to encourage the development and sharing of resources in a localized, culturally relevant and local language literacy support is a best case scenario. Overall, good collection of examples and suggestions.
Thanks for sharing all of those resources. I'm interested in looking into One Laptop Per Child. While I've learned a lot about the utility of mobile devices and how they increase internet access, I haven't been able to come across as much information on how exactly we can get increased access to mobile devices so that they are affordable and within reach of communities of people from all different socioeconomic backgrounds.
-Amarpreet
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