An Asterisk-based framework for E-learning using open protocols and open source software
- Tsietsi, Mosiuoa, Shibeshi, Zelalem S, Terzoli, Alfredo, Wells, George C
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Shibeshi, Zelalem S , Terzoli, Alfredo , Wells, George C
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429091 , vital:72559 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5338904
- Description: This paper describes the conceptual design of an e-learning system that is based on open protocols and open source software. This is an initial step towards providing a framework within which remote lectures at our university can be conducted with other institutions in the Southern African region. The motivation for this effort is born out of a desire to avoid expensive and inflexible commercial tools that have been used in the past, often with undesirable side effects. Our design promises to deliver most of the features that can be expected of a modern e-learning system such as a Web interface, space for lecture material, real-time audio and video support, instant messaging and the ability to convey presence. We identified two modes of operation, one as a Web-based video archive and the other as a live virtual classroom. It is hoped that this dual-mode setup will support different modes of learning for students and suit different bandwidth resources among institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Shibeshi, Zelalem S , Terzoli, Alfredo , Wells, George C
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429091 , vital:72559 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5338904
- Description: This paper describes the conceptual design of an e-learning system that is based on open protocols and open source software. This is an initial step towards providing a framework within which remote lectures at our university can be conducted with other institutions in the Southern African region. The motivation for this effort is born out of a desire to avoid expensive and inflexible commercial tools that have been used in the past, often with undesirable side effects. Our design promises to deliver most of the features that can be expected of a modern e-learning system such as a Web interface, space for lecture material, real-time audio and video support, instant messaging and the ability to convey presence. We identified two modes of operation, one as a Web-based video archive and the other as a live virtual classroom. It is hoped that this dual-mode setup will support different modes of learning for students and suit different bandwidth resources among institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Augmenting an e-Commerce service for Marginalized Communities: A Rewards Based Marketing Approach
- Jere, Norbert R, Thinyane, Mamello, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Jere, Norbert R , Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428463 , vital:72513 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/228968666_Augmenting_an_e-Com-merce_service_for_Marginalized_Communities_A_Rewards_Based_Marketing_Approach/links/09e4151344c1f615f7000000/Augmenting-an-e-Commerce-service-for-Marginalized-Communities-A-Rewards-Based-Marketing-Approach.pdf
- Description: Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) have been widely deployed in developmental programmes and this has lead to the crea-tion of a new field–ICT for development (ICT4D). Many e-Commerce platforms now exist in many rural areas in developing countries. ICT4D allows Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas to increase sales and gain the market share on the global market. Howev-er, many of these ICT4D projects in marginalized areas fail as a result of lacking the required resources to support ICTs. SMMEs in rural areas face problems in marketing their products on the global market. There-fore, ensuring sustainability of such systems in marginalized areas is important. This paper explains an e-Marketing strategy through a re-ward based negotiation application, aimed at improving the existing e-Commerce platform. The e-Commerce platform has been deployed for the Dwesa community. Dwesa is a rural area in the Eastern Cape prov-ince of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Jere, Norbert R , Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428463 , vital:72513 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/228968666_Augmenting_an_e-Com-merce_service_for_Marginalized_Communities_A_Rewards_Based_Marketing_Approach/links/09e4151344c1f615f7000000/Augmenting-an-e-Commerce-service-for-Marginalized-Communities-A-Rewards-Based-Marketing-Approach.pdf
- Description: Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) have been widely deployed in developmental programmes and this has lead to the crea-tion of a new field–ICT for development (ICT4D). Many e-Commerce platforms now exist in many rural areas in developing countries. ICT4D allows Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas to increase sales and gain the market share on the global market. Howev-er, many of these ICT4D projects in marginalized areas fail as a result of lacking the required resources to support ICTs. SMMEs in rural areas face problems in marketing their products on the global market. There-fore, ensuring sustainability of such systems in marginalized areas is important. This paper explains an e-Marketing strategy through a re-ward based negotiation application, aimed at improving the existing e-Commerce platform. The e-Commerce platform has been deployed for the Dwesa community. Dwesa is a rural area in the Eastern Cape prov-ince of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Deconstructing language myths: which languages of learning and teaching in South Africa
- Dalvit, Lorenzo, Murray, Sarah, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo , Murray, Sarah , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431260 , vital:72759 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/91537059/Deconstructing_language_myths_which_languages_of_learning_and_teaching_in_South_Africa.sflb-libre.pdf?1664136385=response-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DDeconstructing_language_myths_which_lang.pdfExpires=1714984902Signature=dj35y~SObsQq0TnqD-oDUj3CX7lgNnKJcMAchC7rarU74xqfrMlVfOwi-MZrNZvWvpxyzquBsmr1veH-ggRVXQP7TX4eKQq3tXV-gJZg3xyo7QJoGwrGPTjC4btF2kNrVJc6TQulzuPFEz47GtjQ6Nint4SmE7A30EMUMd8j25KgCUdtzqwx9kjBs-niKu~z-pk-Xon5YOolMTepbOwNr9wKGj8JafblTdnFs-H8CZ-Et4BD2mYV3GxnR0QLfgawFgDYkOSZnYhkl6wFsXG~Euwlhcvtp0EgUOfP4id~Ov9hhA-rSQxl81X2Dh1BdMuT3GSsK6VNmO7TikSC7NeGlQ__Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: In this article we argue for the use of African languages as Languages of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for native speakers of such language in South Africa. We believe that both public and academic debate is in-fluenced by a set of ‘language myths’: 1) only one language should be used; 2) the earlier one starts using English as LoLT, the better; 3) us-ing English as LoLT improves English proficiency. These myths be seen as a direct manifestation of Western hegemony, and English-functional arguments are often the terms of reference. We will try a dif-ferent approach by highlighting the advantages of using an African lan-guage (ie isiXhosa) as LoLT and, whenever possible, we will try to put English on the ‘defence stand’. The purpose of this paper is not to ad-vocate the substitution of English with an African language. We believe that bilingual education is the appropriate choice for South Africa, but in order to achieve full equality between English and the African lan-guages in education, arguments in support of the latter must be put forward proactively. With our paper, we hope to contribute to this new perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo , Murray, Sarah , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431260 , vital:72759 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/91537059/Deconstructing_language_myths_which_languages_of_learning_and_teaching_in_South_Africa.sflb-libre.pdf?1664136385=response-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DDeconstructing_language_myths_which_lang.pdfExpires=1714984902Signature=dj35y~SObsQq0TnqD-oDUj3CX7lgNnKJcMAchC7rarU74xqfrMlVfOwi-MZrNZvWvpxyzquBsmr1veH-ggRVXQP7TX4eKQq3tXV-gJZg3xyo7QJoGwrGPTjC4btF2kNrVJc6TQulzuPFEz47GtjQ6Nint4SmE7A30EMUMd8j25KgCUdtzqwx9kjBs-niKu~z-pk-Xon5YOolMTepbOwNr9wKGj8JafblTdnFs-H8CZ-Et4BD2mYV3GxnR0QLfgawFgDYkOSZnYhkl6wFsXG~Euwlhcvtp0EgUOfP4id~Ov9hhA-rSQxl81X2Dh1BdMuT3GSsK6VNmO7TikSC7NeGlQ__Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: In this article we argue for the use of African languages as Languages of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for native speakers of such language in South Africa. We believe that both public and academic debate is in-fluenced by a set of ‘language myths’: 1) only one language should be used; 2) the earlier one starts using English as LoLT, the better; 3) us-ing English as LoLT improves English proficiency. These myths be seen as a direct manifestation of Western hegemony, and English-functional arguments are often the terms of reference. We will try a dif-ferent approach by highlighting the advantages of using an African lan-guage (ie isiXhosa) as LoLT and, whenever possible, we will try to put English on the ‘defence stand’. The purpose of this paper is not to ad-vocate the substitution of English with an African language. We believe that bilingual education is the appropriate choice for South Africa, but in order to achieve full equality between English and the African lan-guages in education, arguments in support of the latter must be put forward proactively. With our paper, we hope to contribute to this new perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Deployment and Extension of a Converged WiMAX/WiFi Network for Dwesa Community Area South Africa
- Ndlovu, N, Terzoli, Alfredo, Thinyane, Mamello
- Authors: Ndlovu, N , Terzoli, Alfredo , Thinyane, Mamello
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428479 , vital:72514 , https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1andtype=pdfanddoi=22468be0252776eabb9e015b51e8e5cf2855ca5f
- Description: As demand for new, reliable, flexible and relatively inexpensive internet access in marginalized rural areas in developing countries increases, there is a need to amalgamate broadband technologies such as WiMAX and WiFi so as to extend the coverage area. Consequently, this will en-able provision of high-speed mobile data and telecommunications ser-vices. This paper describes how WiMAX and WiFi can be merged to-gether, with VSAT technology offering backhaul internet connectivity to provide ever present broadband access. We also look at their respective network applications and how there are going to be used to help support ICT4D activities in these marginalized areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ndlovu, N , Terzoli, Alfredo , Thinyane, Mamello
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428479 , vital:72514 , https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1andtype=pdfanddoi=22468be0252776eabb9e015b51e8e5cf2855ca5f
- Description: As demand for new, reliable, flexible and relatively inexpensive internet access in marginalized rural areas in developing countries increases, there is a need to amalgamate broadband technologies such as WiMAX and WiFi so as to extend the coverage area. Consequently, this will en-able provision of high-speed mobile data and telecommunications ser-vices. This paper describes how WiMAX and WiFi can be merged to-gether, with VSAT technology offering backhaul internet connectivity to provide ever present broadband access. We also look at their respective network applications and how there are going to be used to help support ICT4D activities in these marginalized areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
eServices provisioning in a community development context through a JADE MAS platform
- Thinyane, Mamello, Terzoli, Alfredo, Clayton, Peter G
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo , Clayton, Peter G
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430836 , vital:72720 , 10.1109/ICTD.2009.5426697
- Description: A growing proliferation of ICT4D interventions has necessitated the ex-ploration of innovative solutions for the provisioning of eServices in ru-ral, marginalized communities. The challenges currently faced in these interventions include: situating the developed applications within the cultural and ethnographic context of the target communities, integrating greater levels of granularity and flexibility within the applications for in-creased context sensitivity, handling the intermittence and instability of supporting infrastructural services. These are the challenges that we address in the context of ICT4D intervention undertaken in a rural community in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We explore the design and implementation of a Multi-Agent System (MAS) for this community as a platform for provisioning of context-sensitive eServ-ices, and highlight some observations with regards to the applicability and adequacy of the solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo , Clayton, Peter G
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430836 , vital:72720 , 10.1109/ICTD.2009.5426697
- Description: A growing proliferation of ICT4D interventions has necessitated the ex-ploration of innovative solutions for the provisioning of eServices in ru-ral, marginalized communities. The challenges currently faced in these interventions include: situating the developed applications within the cultural and ethnographic context of the target communities, integrating greater levels of granularity and flexibility within the applications for in-creased context sensitivity, handling the intermittence and instability of supporting infrastructural services. These are the challenges that we address in the context of ICT4D intervention undertaken in a rural community in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We explore the design and implementation of a Multi-Agent System (MAS) for this community as a platform for provisioning of context-sensitive eServ-ices, and highlight some observations with regards to the applicability and adequacy of the solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Peer-to-Peer Web Services for Distributed Rural ICTs
- Wertlen, Ronald, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Wertlen, Ronald , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428508 , vital:72516 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/265184410_Peer-to-Peer_Web_Services_for_Distributed_Rural_ICTs/links/5523cb9a0cf223eed37fe0b3/Peer-to-Peer-Web-Services-for-Distributed-Rural-ICTs.pdf
- Description: In this paper we look at the context and design of a distributed web ser-vices platform called P2PMW. P2PMW uses P2P principles to automat-ically build a robust network with flexible routing and practically no ad-ministrative overhead in order to share resources between nodes. P2PMW uses open source and widely adopted standards. Our argu-ment is that the context of rural ICTs is being shaped by high speed wireless networks with limited span that we call “islands” and that the architecture we introduce is a good fit for the context. We further argue that by employing widely adopted open standards and open source software, we can speed the development of effective custom made ap-plications for marginalised rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Wertlen, Ronald , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428508 , vital:72516 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/265184410_Peer-to-Peer_Web_Services_for_Distributed_Rural_ICTs/links/5523cb9a0cf223eed37fe0b3/Peer-to-Peer-Web-Services-for-Distributed-Rural-ICTs.pdf
- Description: In this paper we look at the context and design of a distributed web ser-vices platform called P2PMW. P2PMW uses P2P principles to automat-ically build a robust network with flexible routing and practically no ad-ministrative overhead in order to share resources between nodes. P2PMW uses open source and widely adopted standards. Our argu-ment is that the context of rural ICTs is being shaped by high speed wireless networks with limited span that we call “islands” and that the architecture we introduce is a good fit for the context. We further argue that by employing widely adopted open standards and open source software, we can speed the development of effective custom made ap-plications for marginalised rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Universal digital inclusion: Beyond connectivity, affordability and capability
- Thinyane, Mamello, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430876 , vital:72724 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5338911
- Description: Traditionally digital marginalization and exclusion were understood to be a factor of connectivity to the Internet, affordability of the technology, and the capability of the communities to utilize the technology. ICT for development (ICT4D) interventions have been undertaken that address these specific factors of marginalization, however, it remains that com-munities are still excluded from the global knowledge society. In this paper we argue that key factors towards reaching greater inclusion and participation of the digitally marginalized communities, are the knowledge-centricity and context-sensitivity of the undertaken interven-tions. The solutions developed, and the services deployed, must intrin-sically encapsulate the local knowledge within the community of de-ployment. Based on this premise we have developed an architectural framework, named PIASK, that formalizes the contextualization of the developed applications within the socio-technical environment and po-sitions them within the local knowledge system of the community. We highlight the components of this architecture and discuss its implemen-tation through a knowledge platform for a community in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430876 , vital:72724 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5338911
- Description: Traditionally digital marginalization and exclusion were understood to be a factor of connectivity to the Internet, affordability of the technology, and the capability of the communities to utilize the technology. ICT for development (ICT4D) interventions have been undertaken that address these specific factors of marginalization, however, it remains that com-munities are still excluded from the global knowledge society. In this paper we argue that key factors towards reaching greater inclusion and participation of the digitally marginalized communities, are the knowledge-centricity and context-sensitivity of the undertaken interven-tions. The solutions developed, and the services deployed, must intrin-sically encapsulate the local knowledge within the community of de-ployment. Based on this premise we have developed an architectural framework, named PIASK, that formalizes the contextualization of the developed applications within the socio-technical environment and po-sitions them within the local knowledge system of the community. We highlight the components of this architecture and discuss its implemen-tation through a knowledge platform for a community in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
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