Technologies for Communities: Managing Information from the Grassroots
Available from people.ischool.berkeley.edu
Page 1
Technologies for Communities: Managing Information from the Grassroots
Technologies for Communities:
Managing Information from the Grassroots
Tapan S. Parikh
Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Washington
Last Updated:
February 10th, 2006
Managing Information from the Grassroots
Tapan S. Parikh
Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Washington
Last Updated:
February 10th, 2006
Page 2
4.8B people live in developing countries (many in rural areas)
Rural developing world people have many information needs
– Manage finances
– Learn about business opportunities
– Access government services
– Access medical guidance
– Communicate with customers or suppliers
However, they also have constraints
– Purchasing power
– Infrastructure (power, network, shelter)
– Education and literacy
The Rural Developing World
Rural developing world people have many information needs
– Manage finances
– Learn about business opportunities
– Access government services
– Access medical guidance
– Communicate with customers or suppliers
However, they also have constraints
– Purchasing power
– Infrastructure (power, network, shelter)
– Education and literacy
The Rural Developing World
Page 3
Hisaab
interfaces for semi-literate users
Knownet-Grin
knowledge network for grassroot innovators
Projects
CAM Framework
paper programming for mobile phones
interfaces for semi-literate users
Knownet-Grin
knowledge network for grassroot innovators
Projects
CAM Framework
paper programming for mobile phones
Page 4
• Honey Bee Network shares local knowledge and grassroot
innovation
• Publishes regional magazines
– agricultural practices and other innovations
• Interested in finding new ways to share content and
facilitate multi-stakeholder communication
• Visual Basic app with multi-media distributed database
with asynchronous updates and messaging
• Implemented at kiosks in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Knownet-Grin
Knowledge Network for Grassroot Innovators: A Honey Bee Project
innovation
• Publishes regional magazines
– agricultural practices and other innovations
• Interested in finding new ways to share content and
facilitate multi-stakeholder communication
• Visual Basic app with multi-media distributed database
with asynchronous updates and messaging
• Implemented at kiosks in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Knownet-Grin
Knowledge Network for Grassroot Innovators: A Honey Bee Project
Page 5
– Easy to Use: Deal with all classes of novice users
– Easy to Teach: Conveyed by word of mouth
– Easy to Distribute: Remotely, and person-to-persn
– Easy to Share: Individuals cant afford devices
– Easy to Develop: Allow local content and applications
– Flexible: Language, culture, infrastructure varies
– Trusted: By both users and non-users
– Serving a Need: Technology is a big investment
8 Rules for Rural Computing
– Easy to Teach: Conveyed by word of mouth
– Easy to Distribute: Remotely, and person-to-persn
– Easy to Share: Individuals cant afford devices
– Easy to Develop: Allow local content and applications
– Flexible: Language, culture, infrastructure varies
– Trusted: By both users and non-users
– Serving a Need: Technology is a big investment
8 Rules for Rural Computing
Page 6
Self-Help Groups are member-owned microfinance groups
– 12-20 members, over 1m SHGs in India (90% women)
– Members from poor, disadvantaged classes
– Save money during meetings, make small loans for
starting a business, buying livestock, education, etc.
– Repayment based on peer pressure
– Similar groups exist worldwide – Grameen, Village
Banking, Credit Unions, ROSCAs, etc.
SHGs: Microfinance Groups
– 12-20 members, over 1m SHGs in India (90% women)
– Members from poor, disadvantaged classes
– Save money during meetings, make small loans for
starting a business, buying livestock, education, etc.
– Repayment based on peer pressure
– Similar groups exist worldwide – Grameen, Village
Banking, Credit Unions, ROSCAs, etc.
SHGs: Microfinance Groups
Page 7
Banks would love to work with SHGs
– Demand for capital exceeds supply
– Excellent performance (90-98% repayment)
– Fulfill social (and regulatory) objectives
However, there are many obstacles
– Members have little or no education
– Many practices are inconsistent
– Groups spread across remote rural areas
– Expensive to collect information and money
Scaling Microfinance in India
– Demand for capital exceeds supply
– Excellent performance (90-98% repayment)
– Fulfill social (and regulatory) objectives
However, there are many obstacles
– Members have little or no education
– Many practices are inconsistent
– Groups spread across remote rural areas
– Expensive to collect information and money
Scaling Microfinance in India
Page 8
Information systems are key to scaling microfinance
– Transaction processing
– Monitor members and groups
– Analyse performance and impact
– Link to formal institutions
Can we design a UI allowing SHG members to document
their own transactions?
– Accessible to semi-literate and illiterate users
– Accurate and efficient
Hisaab: Problem Statement
– Transaction processing
– Monitor members and groups
– Analyse performance and impact
– Link to formal institutions
Can we design a UI allowing SHG members to document
their own transactions?
– Accessible to semi-literate and illiterate users
– Accurate and efficient
Hisaab: Problem Statement
Page 9
context study paper prototype
wizard of oz final artifact
wizard of oz final artifact
Page 10
Importance of Paper
– Ubiquitous in existing work practice
– Understanding tied to current tabular formats
Numeric Input / Output
– Calculators are commonly used
– Even semi-literate users can input numbers
– Avoids local language input
Audio Output
– Local language audio great for rapport
– Accessible to semi-literate and illiterate users
Hisaab: Design Observations
Parikh, Ghosh, Chavan et al. - CHI 2003, CUU 2003 (Best Paper)
– Ubiquitous in existing work practice
– Understanding tied to current tabular formats
Numeric Input / Output
– Calculators are commonly used
– Even semi-literate users can input numbers
– Avoids local language input
Audio Output
– Local language audio great for rapport
– Accessible to semi-literate and illiterate users
Hisaab: Design Observations
Parikh, Ghosh, Chavan et al. - CHI 2003, CUU 2003 (Best Paper)
Page 11
Scalability
– PCs and Laptops are too expensive
– Affordable if shared by many groups
– Infrastructure - power, network, shelter
– Must be kept at a central place
– Excessive travel and inconvenience
Accessibility
– Users developed understanding of the system
– But can't provide efficiency or accuracy
Hisaab: Limitations
– PCs and Laptops are too expensive
– Affordable if shared by many groups
– Infrastructure - power, network, shelter
– Must be kept at a central place
– Excessive travel and inconvenience
Accessibility
– Users developed understanding of the system
– But can't provide efficiency or accuracy
Hisaab: Limitations
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Mobile phones are an attractive alternative
– Exponential growth in Africa and Asia
– Numeric Keypad, Audio, Network
Mobile device supports Agent Model
– Travelling agents collect money and data
– Common motif for many rural services
– Most convenient for members / clients
Mobile UIs are hard to use - Can we develop a suitable UI?
The Economist, Mar 10, 2005
The Next Step: Mobile Phones
– Exponential growth in Africa and Asia
– Numeric Keypad, Audio, Network
Mobile device supports Agent Model
– Travelling agents collect money and data
– Common motif for many rural services
– Most convenient for members / clients
Mobile UIs are hard to use - Can we develop a suitable UI?
The Economist, Mar 10, 2005
The Next Step: Mobile Phones
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CAM: Paper Programming for Mobile Phones
CAMBrowser
mobile phone app
to process forms
CAMForms
interactive forms
CAMScript
scripting language
for form interaction
<function name=”a_click”>
d = input_date(“Date”, “date.wav”);
i = input_int(“Interest”, “int.wav”);
p = input_int(“Principal”, “pri.wav”);
if (d & p & i)
http_put(“...”);
</function>
Parikh et al. - IEEE Pervasive 2005, CHI 2006, WWW 2006
CAMBrowser
mobile phone app
to process forms
CAMForms
interactive forms
CAMScript
scripting language
for form interaction
<function name=”a_click”>
d = input_date(“Date”, “date.wav”);
i = input_int(“Interest”, “int.wav”);
p = input_int(“Principal”, “pri.wav”);
if (d & p & i)
http_put(“...”);
</function>
Parikh et al. - IEEE Pervasive 2005, CHI 2006, WWW 2006
Page 14
<function name=”a_click”>
date = input_date(“Enter Date” “date.wav”);
amt = input_int(“Enter Amount”, “amount.wav”);
message_note(“Say your name”,”sayname.wav”);
record_audio(“name.wav”);
if (amt != 0)
email(“tap2k@yahoo.com”, “a=”#amt, “name.wav”);
</function>
CAM: System Features
Navigation
– Barcodes and printed numeric strings
used to access records and functions
Content
– XML scripting language
– API for accessing phone features
– Multimedia – play and record
Networking
– Synchronous - HTTP
– Asynchronous - SMS, MMS, E-mail
date = input_date(“Enter Date” “date.wav”);
amt = input_int(“Enter Amount”, “amount.wav”);
message_note(“Say your name”,”sayname.wav”);
record_audio(“name.wav”);
if (amt != 0)
email(“tap2k@yahoo.com”, “a=”#amt, “name.wav”);
</function>
CAM: System Features
Navigation
– Barcodes and printed numeric strings
used to access records and functions
Content
– XML scripting language
– API for accessing phone features
– Multimedia – play and record
Networking
– Synchronous - HTTP
– Asynchronous - SMS, MMS, E-mail
Page 15
Task: Record transactions during SHG meeting
– 'Laboratory' and in-situ testing
– Using barcode navigation
– Users: 14 NGO field staff from villages
– Literate - 7th grade to college education
Results: Mobile phones are a usable solution
– Learned system within 3 days
– Avg 30 secs per form, 8-10 mins per meeting
– Less than 1% error rate
– All users described interface as very easy or easy
Usability Testing
– 'Laboratory' and in-situ testing
– Using barcode navigation
– Users: 14 NGO field staff from villages
– Literate - 7th grade to college education
Results: Mobile phones are a usable solution
– Learned system within 3 days
– Avg 30 secs per form, 8-10 mins per meeting
– Less than 1% error rate
– All users described interface as very easy or easy
Usability Testing
Page 16
SHG MIS using CAM
• Pilot planned with 24 staff / 400 SHGs / 6000 members
• Reports will be provided to NGO and banks
• Many other NGOs and MFIs are interested
• Pilot planned with 24 staff / 400 SHGs / 6000 members
• Reports will be provided to NGO and banks
• Many other NGOs and MFIs are interested
Page 17
Supply Chain Javid and Parikh - ICTD 2006
– Track distribution of products
– Manage inventory at rural warehouses
– Integrated with GSM / GPS tracking
Rural Cash Register
– Cash Register + Scanner + POS
– Track sales and inventory
– Linked to credit, accounting
Health Monitoring
– Access to electronic patient records
– Unified history
More Applications
– Track distribution of products
– Manage inventory at rural warehouses
– Integrated with GSM / GPS tracking
Rural Cash Register
– Cash Register + Scanner + POS
– Track sales and inventory
– Linked to credit, accounting
Health Monitoring
– Access to electronic patient records
– Unified history
More Applications
Page 18
– Easy to Use: Demonstrated for novice rural users
– Easy to Teach: Simple, directed interaction model
– Easy to Distribute: Messages, paper references
– Easy to Share: One agent can serve many users
– Easy to Develop: XML scripting langauge
– Flexible: Mobiles, SMTP, Numbers, Audio, Images
– Trusted: Vernacular audio, linked to paper records
– Serve a Need: Economic opportunity
8 Rules for Rural Computing
– Easy to Teach: Simple, directed interaction model
– Easy to Distribute: Messages, paper references
– Easy to Share: One agent can serve many users
– Easy to Develop: XML scripting langauge
– Flexible: Mobiles, SMTP, Numbers, Audio, Images
– Trusted: Vernacular audio, linked to paper records
– Serve a Need: Economic opportunity
8 Rules for Rural Computing
Page 19
events
objects
stories
analysis access
knowledge
multimedia
paper
123
numbers
CAM
Vision: Breaking the Information Chains
objects
stories
analysis access
knowledge
multimedia
paper
123
numbers
CAM
Vision: Breaking the Information Chains
Page 20
Which CAM Applications can have the most Impact?
– Huge potential in microfinance and related areas
– Accountability, Security, Trust, Privacy
Can results be applied for other naïve users?
How would we design a Server?
How about a new Device?
Can we measure our long-term Sustainable Impact?
Pending Questions
– Huge potential in microfinance and related areas
– Accountability, Security, Trust, Privacy
Can results be applied for other naïve users?
How would we design a Server?
How about a new Device?
Can we measure our long-term Sustainable Impact?
Pending Questions
Page 21
Lots of interesting UI research
– Each iteration has led to novel insights
– Results may be more generally applicable
Lots of compelling applications
– Need significant time to understand
– “the dawn of the digital age”
Lots of potential value
– Communities will benefit by managing information better
– Systems will succeed with community investment
Conclusions
– Each iteration has led to novel insights
– Results may be more generally applicable
Lots of compelling applications
– Need significant time to understand
– “the dawn of the digital age”
Lots of potential value
– Communities will benefit by managing information better
– Systems will succeed with community investment
Conclusions
Page 22
ekgaon technologies
ekgaon was founded in 2002 and works in providing technical,
managerial and strategic support to community-led initiatives
around India and the world. Currently we are based in
New Delhi with a field office in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Current Partners and Supporters
Covenant Centre for Development / Mahakalasm Federations
University of Washington, Dept. of Computer Science
Community Enterprise Forum International (CEFI)
CARE International
Oxfam-Great Britain
Deutsche Gesellschaft for Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP)
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Sarai New Media Initiative
http://www.ekgaon.com
ekgaon was founded in 2002 and works in providing technical,
managerial and strategic support to community-led initiatives
around India and the world. Currently we are based in
New Delhi with a field office in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Current Partners and Supporters
Covenant Centre for Development / Mahakalasm Federations
University of Washington, Dept. of Computer Science
Community Enterprise Forum International (CEFI)
CARE International
Oxfam-Great Britain
Deutsche Gesellschaft for Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP)
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Sarai New Media Initiative
http://www.ekgaon.com
Page 23
Anil K. Gupta, Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya, Jaimin, Bhavin,
Rushabh, Nilesh, Bharat, Kinjal, Kartik, Bhimsibhai,
Narayanbhai, Kaushik Ghosh, Apala Chavan, Sarit Arora,
Puneet Syal, Sasi Kumar, Paul Javid, Annaji, John, Bala,
Swami, Muthu, Ed Lazowska, David Notkin, James Landay,
Richard Anderson, Gaetano Borriello, Ken Fishkin, Scott
Klemmer, Kentaro Toyama, SRISTI, IIM-Ahmedabad, CCD,
Mahakalasm SHG Federations, Media Lab Asia, HFI-India,
HLFPPT, UWCSE, MLC, Intel, Microsoft Research India,
David Bonderman, SEEP, IDRC, Sarai, ekgaon technologies
and everyone else I have had the pleasure to work with.
Thanks for all the Fish
Rushabh, Nilesh, Bharat, Kinjal, Kartik, Bhimsibhai,
Narayanbhai, Kaushik Ghosh, Apala Chavan, Sarit Arora,
Puneet Syal, Sasi Kumar, Paul Javid, Annaji, John, Bala,
Swami, Muthu, Ed Lazowska, David Notkin, James Landay,
Richard Anderson, Gaetano Borriello, Ken Fishkin, Scott
Klemmer, Kentaro Toyama, SRISTI, IIM-Ahmedabad, CCD,
Mahakalasm SHG Federations, Media Lab Asia, HFI-India,
HLFPPT, UWCSE, MLC, Intel, Microsoft Research India,
David Bonderman, SEEP, IDRC, Sarai, ekgaon technologies
and everyone else I have had the pleasure to work with.
Thanks for all the Fish
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