TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring situational factors shaping access in a laptop program for socially disadvantaged children in india
T2 - A case study
AU - Padmanabhan, Poornima
AU - Wise, Alyssa Friend
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was funded in part by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and Simon Fraser University.
Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Low-cost laptop programs attempt to address gaps in access to computers in developing countries. However, the translation of computing access from intention to actuality is mediated by many situational factors. This research presents a case study of how access to a set of laptops donated to a school for socially disadvantaged children in India was shaped by social, logistical, economic and value considerations. Findings illustrate how principles of equity driving the program clashed with limited resources to produce conditions that constrained student agency. Additionally, external dependencies for laptops, knowledge and support restricted the school's ability to provide computing access, and set up uncomfortable internal inequalities within the school. Access increased for just one class of students, and even they only used the laptops for limited time periods, in pairs, and under direct supervision. Seven important access considerations related to equity, resources and agency are identified to support strategic planning of future laptop programs.
AB - Low-cost laptop programs attempt to address gaps in access to computers in developing countries. However, the translation of computing access from intention to actuality is mediated by many situational factors. This research presents a case study of how access to a set of laptops donated to a school for socially disadvantaged children in India was shaped by social, logistical, economic and value considerations. Findings illustrate how principles of equity driving the program clashed with limited resources to produce conditions that constrained student agency. Additionally, external dependencies for laptops, knowledge and support restricted the school's ability to provide computing access, and set up uncomfortable internal inequalities within the school. Access increased for just one class of students, and even they only used the laptops for limited time periods, in pairs, and under direct supervision. Seven important access considerations related to equity, resources and agency are identified to support strategic planning of future laptop programs.
KW - Access to computers
KW - Case studies
KW - Equal education
KW - International education
KW - Laptop computers
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Social influences
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U2 - 10.1080/09523987.2012.683959
DO - 10.1080/09523987.2012.683959
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84868108654
SN - 0004-7597
VL - 49
SP - 81
EP - 95
JO - Educational Media International
JF - Educational Media International
IS - 2
ER -