Information and Communication Technology in Africa

Calendar

WEEK #	MAIN TOPIC	TOPICS
1	General Introduction	A general introduction to the course with emphasis on: - Faculty Member Introduction  - Grading and Attendance  - Syllabus
2	ICT in Africa	Presentations on Two Distinct ICT-development Case Studies in Africa Followed by Questions and Answers
3	Group 1 Presentation	Presentation by Group One on one MIT-related ICT project and one non-MIT related ICT project. The presentation will comprise of: - Peer Assessment  - Faculty Member Assessment
4	Group 2 Presentation	Presentation by Group Two on one MIT-related ICT project and one non-MIT related ICT project. The presentation will comprise of: - Peer Assessment  - Faculty Member Assessment
5	Group 3 Presentation	Presentation by Group Three on one MIT-related ICT project and one non-MIT related ICT project. The presentation will comprise of: - Peer Assessment  - Faculty Member Assessment
6	Guest Speakers	Guest speaker presentation (tentative) by: - Professor Jesus del Alamo (iLabs)  - Professor Richard Larson (LINC) The presentation will be followed by questions and answers, and half-an-hour interaction time with Prof. del Alamo and Prof. Larson to speak about any independent projects.
7	Guest Speakers	Guest speaker presentations (tentative) by: - Beatriz Armendariz (Harvard University) - Micro-Financing Initiatives While this is not directly related to ICT, this will be a useful concept in studying the implementation of ICT towards providing resources for the poor.
8	Guest Speakers	Guest speaker presentations (tentative) by: - Professor Nazli Choucri, Director of Global Systems for Sustainable Development  - Professor Kenneth Oye, former head MIT Center for International Studies Prof. Choucri and Prof. Oye will give a foundation to Public Policy, and how national policy can affect countries in different regions.
9	Themes	This class will feature students’ interests in either Theme I or II. From this point, students will be categorized into Theme I or Theme II. Students may wish to pursue a third theme, in which case they would have to contact the course staff. Once split into themes, students will focus on: - Development of sub-groups Within each Theme Group  - Sharing and Development of Common Interests Within Themes  - Theme I will Discuss the National ICT Policy of Zambia  - Theme II will Brainstorm on Potential ICT Projects from MIT
10	Guest Speaker	The guest speaker will be Sally Susnowitz from the MIT Public Service Center, she will advice students on funding sources and effective proposal writing.
11	Project + Final Presentations	Independent Work in Theme I and Theme II Presentation by Theme I Students
12	Project + Final Presentations	Independent Work in Theme I and Theme II Presentation by Theme II Students
13	Wrap-up	Wrap-up: - Discussion of Importance of ICT in Developing World  - Project Updates  - Class Evaluations
14		Wrap-up Dinner