Showing papers on "Appropriate technology published in 2002"

Developmentally Appropriate Technology for Young Children

Abstract: Is computer usage appropriate for young children? The manner in which the computer is used can benefit the child, have no effect whatsoever, or actually be detrimental to the child’s academic and personal growth. Specific conditions can be instituted to assure that young children benefit from their exposure to or interaction with technology. How computers are used is dependent on several factors: the teacher, technical and curricular support, the software, the way the software is used, and the classroom environment.

Linking global and local approaches to agricultural technology development: the role of participatory plant breeding research in the CGIAR

Abstract: This paper describes the current state of international plant breeding research and explains why the centralized approach to germplasm improvement that was so successful in the past is gradually being transformed by the integration of decentralized local breeding methods that incorporate the perspective of end users. The paper begins by identifying factors that contributed to past successes of international breeding efforts for major crops, describes shortcomings of the existing global approach to plant breeding, and explains why future successes will depend on researchers’ ability to incorporate the knowledge and preferences of technology users. Next, the paper reviews participatory research methods and highlights a range of approaches that are currently being tested in different settings and with different crops. The paper then discusses synergies that can be achieved by linking centralized and decentralized methods. It concludes by describing technical, economic, and institutional challenges that will have to be overcome to integrate end-user based participatory approaches into the international plant breeding system. ISSN: 0258-8587 AGROVOC descriptors: Agricultural development; Agricultural policies; Technology transfer; Appropriate technology; Innovation adoption; Economic policies; Plant breeding; Breeding methods; Germplasm; Crops; Research projects; Research institutions; CGIAR AGRIS category codes: E14 Development Economics and Policies F30 Plant Genetics and Breeding Dewey decimal classification: 338.16

Creating successful private sector supply chains : a resource guide for rural water supply and sanitation practitioners

Abstract: The sustainable supply of goods and support services for rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) continues to be a challenge for practitioners in developing countries. The donor community has traditionally developed much of the new rural water and sanitation technology. But often the establishment of spare parts distribution networks and repair services needed to maintain the equipment have not accompanied the introduction of new technology; when the equipment fails, it is not repaired and users return to their original contaminated source of water. The challenge for development practitioners is to ensure that these spare parts and repair services are available to all end users so that the sustainability of RWSS technology is ensured and users continue to have access to a clean water source. This guide suggests that the best way to develop effective spare parts and repair service supply is to encourage the private sector that, with the right incentives and enabling environment, is well placed in the community to deliver.

Using Community-Based Participatory Processes to Bring Health Education Technology to Communities:

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe a community-based participatory process of developing computer tailored messages (a form of technologically advanced health education materials) within a community-based lay health adviser program. This process included: 1) identifying the desired characteristics of the health education materials, 2) prioritizing the content and format of the health education materials, and 3) developing methods for distributing these materials. An overview of the lay health adviser program is presented, followed by a description of how each step was taken, a review of the health education method chosen (computer-tailored messages), and a discussion of the challenges and benefits of using community-based participatory processes to bring appropriate technology to communities.

Future management of water resources

Abstract: The current situation in relation to water resources, water needs, and key water problems is evaluated. The development over the past few decades of a holistic approach to the management of water resources is reviewed. This new viewpoint involves a combination of appropriate economics, appropriate ecological management, and adoption of a participatory approach, in addition to the appropriate technology. An outline is presented of the progress in international dialogue and cooperation from the Dublin International Conference of January 1992 on Water and the Environment to the World Water Vision, presented to the Second World Water Forum at the Hague in March 2000, and the more recent discussions which form the background for the Third World Water Forum to be held in Kyoto in March 2003.

Agroforestry technology to bridge divergent between farmer production goal and government environmental goal

Abstract: Soil conservation problems in developing countries involve a large group of farmers. These farmers normally characterized with the following attributes: a) small land holding size (between 0.5 ha—2 ha), b) low income and, c) short term view, which causing lack of environmental appreciation. These attributes should be taken into consideration in introducing technology for sustainable soil conservation. Mechanical structures such as terracing, gully plug, etc proofed to be not sustainable in this environment due to high input and maintenance cost and high labor requirement, which small farmer with low income hardly can afford. Sustainable soil conservation in this environment has two aspects: (1) appropriate type of technology and (2) active's farmer participation. Appropriate technology calls for a balance between production goals and environmental goal. Farmers are concern toward production goals while most development projects and government agencies promoting watershed management are concern toward conservation and environmental goals benefiting people living at downstream. This study focuses on evaluation of sustainability index of various land use systems for soil conservation practices in the area where small land holding farmer are dominant. Indicators used for evaluation are: z Profitability indicators: Return to labor (smallholder's concern), Year to positive cash flow and return to land (government's concern) z Agronomic indicators: Soil compaction and soil exposure z Environmental indicators: Erosion on-site (smallholder's concern), reservoir sedimentation rate (government's concern) From those indicators sustainability index of various land use systems for soil

Information technology support to improved construction processes: Inter-disciplinarity in research and practice

Abstract: Research and innovation in the built environment is increasingly taking on an inter-disciplinary nature. The built environment industry and professional practice have long adopted multi and inter-disciplinary practices. The application of IT in Construction is moving beyond the automation and replication of discrete mono and multi-disciplinary tasks to replicate and model the improved inter-disciplinary processes of modern design and construction practice. A major long-term research project underway at the University of Salford seeks to develop IT modelling capability to support the design of buildings and facilities that are buildable, maintainable, operable, sustainable, accessible, and have properties of acoustic, thermal and business support performance that are of a high standard. Such an IT modelling tool has been the dream of the research community for a long time. Recent advances in technology are beginning to make such a modelling tool feasible. Some of the key problems with its further research and development, and with its ultimate implementation, will be the challenges of multiple research and built environment stakeholders sharing a common vision, language and sense of trust. This paper explores these challenges as a set of research issues that underpin the development of appropriate technology to support realisable advances in construction process improvements.

Effective technology transfer in Rolls-Royce - the practical assessment of business benefits

Abstract: The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres (UTCs) that have been created are widely recognised as one of the more effective models of industrial/academic collaboration. In common with most evaluations of research activity, assessments of UTC performance often identify technology transfer as one of the most critical issues in the UTC-RR chain. As a consequence there are many mechanisms by which technology transfer is now encouraged and planned to take place. At the working level these include people transfer in either direction, project categorisation methods to identify appropriate technology transfer mechanisms and the use of simple check-lists as an active project management tool and for comparison across projects. In particular each Design University Technology Partnership project is encouraged to develop and maintain its own portfolio of mechanisms within a project management framework called a Potential Exploitation Plan. This paper is thus concerned with the evaluation of technology transfer from a series of completed research projects, and not with methods of research project selection per se, although the tools and techniques used can be related.

Triadic collaboration: A three-sided approach to technology integration

Abstract: Triadic Collaboration: A Three-Sided Approach to Technology Integration Societal expectations for the use of technology in schools continue to increase, reinforced by expectations of federal agencies (Department of Education), educational organizations, as well as national and state agencies. Institutions of higher education have developed a variety of approaches to respond to these pressures, primarily with the inclusion of a separate educational technology course in the pre-service curriculum (Thompson, Schmidt & Hadijiyiani, 1995; Thomas, 1996; Zachariades & Roberts, 1996). However, pre -service teachers are graduating feeling inadequately prepared to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum (Byrum & Cashman, 1993; David, 1994; Drazdowski, Holodick and Scappaticci, 1998). In addition, in-service teachers indicate their greatest obstacle to the integration of technology is the understanding of hoe to use it in instruction (Stuhlmann, 1998; Vannatta, 2000). To respond to these situations, this study investigated a three-sided approach to modeling the integration of technology in daily teaching. University faculty, pre-service, and in-service educators were given information and demonstrations for modeling appropriate technology use in the classroom. Each of these three groups was given a needs assessment which consisted of surveys to find out what they already had knowledge of and were able to do in the classroom. Each group was also asked informally what they thought they needed to know more about to be able to successfully integrate technology into the classroom. Faculty development workshops that targeted technology implementation strategies were designed based on the needs of each group. These workshops were delivered throughout two semesters to each group separately so their needs could be met. When workshops were completed, surveys were administered again to each group to perceive the impact of the workshops on the group and the use of technology in the teaching day. Observations of classrooms were made where appropriate to help monitor the types of technology integration that were applied before and after the intervention.

Health care technology management challenges in Mexico: increase clinical engineering services and develop telemedicine nationwide

Abstract: Summary form only given. Mexico has 100 million inhabitants. The goal of the Health Ministry 2000-2006 is to provide health services with equity, quality and financial support for the users. We have 868 general and specialized hospitals, but we just have 60 clinical engineering departments in the country, mainly in the private sector. The main problems faced regarding medical equipment are the 90% dependency of imported devices, lack of appropriate technology, the poor technology management in the social security institutions; the lack of infrastructure resources; a lack of a donation national program. The primary programs to establish for the next years include: telemedicine program for the e-health sector; a policy to optimize the use of technology in the country; to have clinical engineering departments in the public institutions which will offer technology assessment procedures to better decide what is required, to establish technology management policies in order to help get the best out of the equipment available; to participate in elaborating the lists, biddings and training. We are also participating in the regulation, survey and recalls of the medical equipment. The challenge is enormous but we have now 25 years of experience of biomedical engineering, which will hopefully enhance these projects.

The utility of the "Techno-Dynamics Model" for decisions in research and development investment: the case for Japanese industries

Abstract: This paper focuses on the importance of R&D investment decision that often becomes one of the major concerns for the area of technology management. The study intends to construct a model relative to the decision support of the total amount of R&D investment, while it also attempts to analyze the distribution decision of research funds for different scientific activities. These objectives in mind, the paper tries to build a "Techno-Dynamics Model." In validating the model, the paper has simulated the form in six different industrial fields of Japan. In the end, the "Techno-Dynamics Model" is probed to be extremely useful. It helps business administrators or R&D managers to make accurate and appropriate decisions of their investments for fundamental technologies.