January 22, 2015
TASCHA is always thinking about the future of libraries, as many of our projects either involve libraries in some capacity or will result in contributions to the library field and research on libraries. We also embrace design thinking (also known as human-centered design), so we’re excited to see and share a new toolkit, Design Thinking for Libraries.
New regional libraries have been introduced in Namibia. Officially called Regional Study & Resource Centers, the Government of Namibia, with support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), has launched three of these libraries in different regions of Namibia. The MCC has commissioned TASCHA to conduct an ongoing performance evaluation of these centers. Over the past several months, TASCHA researchers have been developing and refining the project’s research design and evaluation methods (download the evaluation design report here). TASCHA will work closely with local research teams in Namibia to carry out the field research, which will begin in February 2015 and continue through 2017.
January 19, 2015
TASCHA and fellow iSchool research group US Impact Study have joined together to sponsor a team for the National Readathon Day. We’ve pledged to read with librarians, librarians-to-be, and book lovers of all types from the University of Washington’s iSchool, and beyond. We invite you to participate with us!
November 18, 2014
I will soon be travelling to Myanmar as part of the project, Information Strategies for Societies in Transition, to encourage better understanding and use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the rapidly developing country. Formerly known as Burma, it is undergoing an incredible political, social and economic transition after years of authoritarian rule.
November 4, 2014
We are often asked how students can get involved with the work that we do at TASCHA. During Winter Quarter 2015, TASCHA is leading a Research Seminar in the Information School (INFX 571), offering students a chance to get real world ICTD and research experience by working on one of our current projects, Information Strategies for Societies in Transition.
September 24, 2014
TASCHA is pleased to sponsor September’s ICT4Drinks event by buying the first round of drinks for everyone. We even have a couple of special guests, including Microsoft Research India’s Jonathan Donner. He’ll be in town all the way from South Africa to chat about his research on mobile phones, development, and public access. Don’t miss your chance to hear more about Jonathan’s exciting work! Join your fellow tech & development friends to kick off fall at the next ICT4Drinks Seattle on Thursday, September 25th – the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) is buying the first round for everyone.
September 22, 2014
During the summer, TASCHA and the UW Jackson School hosted 25 of Myanmar’s leaders from government, civil society, political parties, ethnic communities, libraries, and the media for a five-week workshop. During the five weeks, the fellows honed their leadership skills and developed information strategies that will broaden information literacy throughout the country, facilitate the peace building process, and support fair elections in the next year.
August 18, 2014
The discourse surrounding the Maker Movement, particularly in the political spectrum, focuses heavily on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education, manufacturing, and jobs (Kalil, Extreme Marshmellow Canons, 2012). It is the technology and tools that are ushering in “the new industrial revolution” (Anderson, 2012). Through democratizing access to these tools, “anyone can change the world” (Hatch, 2014 p.10). Makerspaces are said to give communities facing social and economic challenges the ability to create jobs, innovate, and grow small businesses, through access to the tools of production (Barjarin, 2014) (Gershenfeld, 2005).
August 13, 2014
This summer TASCHA, along with the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, is pleased to be hosting 25 of Myanmar’s leaders from government, civil society, political parties, ethnic communities, libraries, and the media. The fellows are taking part in a 5-week professional development program about information strategies for societies in transition. Please join us for a panel discussion and reception with the fellows of the UW-Myanmar Leadership Program to learn about Myanmar on Thursday, August 21st, 5-8pm, at the UW Club.
July 31, 2014
We’ve developed numerous resources to help answer the overarching question, “Why do public access ICTs matter for development? The goal of the resources listed below is to help make the study’s findings and data more accessible and relevant to the international development, public library, and public access communities. It is our hope that you’ll find these materials useful in understanding the study’s key findings and recommendations, as well as for use in your own work
