Community software applications

Abstract

This is a case study of developing and using community knowledge management software. The context of the case study is a school. During a training workshop staff at a school was introduced to a community knowledge management system. The intent was for them to use it for lesson planning and discussions. Instead, they built a series of applications that they could use to make the school administration more efficient. These applications consisted of Admission, Library, Store and Personnel Management. This case study demonstrates that the ICT need for the next billion is to provide them with systems that they can customize and manage for their needs. An anticipated domino effect would be that they help customize applications for their neighbors' needs, thereby narrowing a digital divide caused by the mystification of application development. © 2007 International Federation for Information Processing.