DigeLab

As society and the world becomes increasingly connected, digital inclusion is more important than ever, with it being well known that the benefits of digital inclusion are diverse and wide-reaching across all aspects of society and promotes independence and social connectedness. However there is a ‘digital divide’ between refugees, lower socio-economic groups and the rest of India, in both access to and use of digital technology. 

 

This digital divide was accentuated and highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 saw a large, sudden shift to digital-only services, information, and activities. The impacts of digital exclusion on settlement are wide ranging and include disruptions to education, limited ability to engage in employment, and social isolation. 

 

What is digital inclusion?

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Digital inclusion is about access to information and communications technology and the resulting social and economic benefits.Digital inclusion is about using technology as a channel to improve skills, to enhance quality of life, to support education and to promote economic well being across all elements of society. In today’s society, digital inclusion is essential to living, working and participating. It has four key aspects: affordability, accessibility, skills and confidence. All four aspects are required in order for an individual to truly be digitally included.

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What does the project propose?

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E-library:

 

The project looks to provide 5 laptops with internet access that will have courses ranging from extra-curricular activities for children (singing, dance etc) to upskilling individuals (how to start a business, enhancing their embroidery skills etc). Just like traditional libraries  keep a log to see who was borrowing what book, the e-libraries will also be monitored to collect data as to which courses are being taken, how the laptops are being utilized and how we can provide better value for refugees. 

 

Digital Classroom:

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Each Digie Lab will be provided with one TV to facilitate a digital classroom that will allow children to visualize what they are learning in the classrooms. For example in geography children will learn about platonic shifts, and in the digital classroom using the TV they will be able to see what a platonic shift looks like and its impacts. Younger children that are taught the blue whale is the largest mammal normally would never get to see, hear and feel one in real life, but through the digital classroom they can see videos that show what the blue whale looks like, how it moves and help children visualize the size of the blue whale compared to other whales or even more everyday objects.

 

These two concepts combined is what forms the vision behind Digie Lab.