[embeddoc url=”https://eportfolios.roehampton.ac.uk/claridgm/files/2016/10/Computers-in-Human-Behavior-pgswdp.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google”]

The study attached showed that despite the historical differences between particular areas of Northern Ireland, an ICT programme can be used to create community cohesion among young people. In fact, it was actually secondary to the skills gained directly through the programme, “pupils gained ICT skills, successfully completed a piece of work together and gained experience that could be useful in either Higher Education or in the work place. Any improvement to community relations was a by-product of the other benefits.”

Northern Ireland is not the only place where something like this could work, less-developed countries could benefit, arguably more so. A quick web search found me at this paper on ICT communities in South Africa and this key quote, “Community centres incorporating ICTs can aid in bridging the digital divide by providing access to information and facilities to indigent community inhabitants. Such centres can bring communities together to create a knowledgeable society, strengthening the population, and improving its ability to fight poverty. (Cogburn, 2000)”

The power of ICT as a means of connecting people physically too far apart to otherwise communicate is apparent and substantial. ICT in less-developed communities can build a foundation of skills so that children and young adults can be effectively future-proofed when further developing their knowledge and even up to job-seeking. This notion can be further evidenced in this video:

The programme mentioned here actually goes one step further and takes the technology to the communities that would have no means of developing it themselves. It creates confident, ICT literate members of society that can use their new found skills to significantly improve their lives, connect to other surrounding areas and the wider world.

As a teacher, I would hope that I can inspire pupils (and some fellow student teachers…) to see the power of ICT for connecting people from all walks of life and as a means of inclusion, not just across the school or the country, but the whole world.