Event: Joyojeet Pal on Twitter and Political Rebranding in the Global South: The Case of Narendra Modi

April 15, 2016

Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) alum & current assistant professor at University of Michigan Joyojeet Pal will be back in Seattle for a few days in April. While he’s here, he will be giving a talk about uses of social media in “Global South” politics. Save the date, and see below for more details. We hope you’ll join us for this brown bag lunch discussion!

The past, present, & future of Making, the Maker Movement, & Makerspaces

April 12, 2016

TASCHA has begun looking at innovation spaces that support making activities and how they may provide communities with unique opportunities through fostering innovation and creativity, but there are challenges that must be addressed before “every child a maker” becomes a reality. Through a five-part blog post series, “Making and the maker movement: A democratizing force or an example of cultural reproduction?,” TASCHA research partner Lauren Britton critically examines the discourse around the maker movement and makerspaces, not in an attempt to discredit the movement and its supporters, but rather to draw attention to the issues and challenges of the maker movement and how these may be addressed.

New report: TASCHA study on MOOCs in developing countries reveals half of users receive certification

April 11, 2016

The Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) is pleased to announce the release of a new report, An examination of MOOC usage for professional workforce development outcomes in Colombia, the Philippines, & South Africa (download full report here). The report is a culmination of the research done as part of the Advancing MOOCs for Development Initiative.

Data for Democracy: New TASCHA project

March 28, 2016

The Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) is pleased to announce a new project, Data for Democracy. This new project is based in Myanmar in partnership with the Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF) and the Myanmar Book Aid Preservation Foundation (MBAPF).

Join TASCHA researchers to study ICTs & development in Southern Ghana

February 23, 2016

Interested in developing countries, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and culture? Are you a student at the University of Washington? If so, TASCHA Research Faculty Araba Sey and Researcher Chris Rothschild are leading a program this summer in Ghana that could be perfect for you and your education. This seminar focuses on research, development, communication, and technology.

Dr. Araba Sey selected as Mellon Senior Scholar in Residence

February 16, 2016

Dr. Araba Sey, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Washington Information School and TASCHA, was selected as a Mellon Senior Scholar in Residence at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. Araba is spending three months working with faculty, researchers, and students at the university’s Africa Media Matrix School of Journalism and Media Studies.

Information Symposium to address challenges presented by Myanmar’s digital revolution & democratic transition

January 22, 2016

On January 28-29th, 2016, TASCHA and our partners at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS), Myanmar Book Aid and Preservation Foundation (MBAPF), and Enlightened Myanmar Research (EMR) will hold an Information Symposium in Yangon, Myanmar.

Mobile Information Literacy Curriculum now available for use & adaptation

December 17, 2015

As millions of people come online across the globe through mobile devices, mobile information literacy is vital for those who have leapfrogged from traditional media to digital devices that provide instant access to information. Mobile information literacy is necessary to help people learn how to find and evaluate the quality and credibility of information obtained…

“Making” the Future: Conclusion of Making & the Maker Movement blog post series

December 14, 2015

The Maker movement evolved out of Punk and DIY culture and has grown at a rapid pace over the past six years, spurred by the creation of Make Magazine and the Maker Faire. A manifesto has been published (Hatch, 2014) and ‘how-to’ guides on making and building makerspaces abound (Makerspace.com, 2012; Bagley, 2014; Kemp, 2013; Lang, 2013). Touted as havens for techies, artists, and entrepreneurs, makerspaces are being developed at an astounding rate, both domestically and internationally. Makerspaces are community-operated facilities that provide access to the tools of production, usually wood shops, metal shops, and digital fabrication technology.

Event recording: Overview of TASCHA & the U.S. Impact Study

November 13, 2015

On November 12th, 2015, Samantha Becker and Melody Clark presented an overview of the U.S. Impact Study and TASCHA for University of Washington students.