Implementing Small Scale ICT Projects in Developing Countries--How Challenging Is It?

International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology. University of the West Indies Open Campus, Dave Hill, St. Michael BB11000, Barbados. Tel: 868-663-9021; Fax: 868-645-9741; Web site: http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/.

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23

Developing Nations; Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Technology Integration; Change Agents; Program Effectiveness; Professional Development; Barriers; Foreign Countries; Questionnaires; Interviews; Teachers; Administrators; Specialists; Access to Computers; Technological Literacy; Qualitative Research

Bangladesh; Cambodia; Bolivia; Kosovo; Rwanda; Uganda; Ethiopia; Tanzania; Zimbabwe; Liberia; South Africa; Vietnam; India

1814-0556

This paper summarises experiences of efforts made by twenty individuals when implementing small-scale ICT development projects in their organizations located in seven developing countries. The main focus of these projects was the use of ICT in educational settings. Challenges encountered and the contributing factors for implementation success of the projects are systematically investigated using interviews and follow up surveys. Results show that the typical limitations of technology and infrastructure were the key obstacles. The commitment of individual project managers in the role of "change agents" and organizational support in the were the strengths behind the success of the projects. Based on the outcome of this study, professional development of the change agents is a key factor for the success of projects. IT and infrastructure limitations contributed to the failure of the majority of the ICT related projects.

As Provided

32

2018

EJ1178348