Internet kiosks in Uganda: A window of opportunities?

Mohamud, Khadija; Buckler, Alison; Pitt, Beck and Twining, Peter (2022). Internet kiosks in Uganda: A window of opportunities? In: Rienties, Bart; Hampel, Regine; Scanlon, Eileen and Whitelock, Denise eds. Open World Learning: Research, Innovation and the Challenges of High-Quality Education. New York, USA: Routledge, pp. 131–143.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003177098-12

Abstract

Community Technology Centres (CTCs) have emerged in low-income contexts in the Global South to reduce digital exclusion. Despite the widespread of CTCs and numerous studies on them, the evidence on their impact is inconclusive. The focus has often been on tangible aspects and anecdotal evidence on intangible impacts. This qualitative case study provides a holistic assessment of the impact of solar-powered Internet Kiosks, a CTC intervention in Uganda, on users in two urban low-income communities. The findings highlight that these centres support users to achieve their desired goals beyond the acquisition of ICT skills. Specifically, young people enrolled in school and teachers with resources to bridge some of the gaps in education and out-of-school young people with knowledge on concepts to navigate their daily tasks. Chapter 10 suggests that the Kiosks contributed to improving users’ quality of life by creating new learning opportunities, skill development, income possibilities and became social spaces where users fostered ties with their community and a broader world. However, the data shows the threat of pornography had a negative implication.

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