Cultural Assessment for Sustainable Kiosk Projects

Abstract

Kiosk/telecenter projects, which provide access to information technologies and related services, have become an important vehicle for delivering the benefits of ICTs to the developing world. As more of these projects are implemented, there is a real need to evaluate their long-term impacts. Assessments, however, are often restricted to economic and technical factors which, though important, by themselves privilege objects and models over people and situated use. Beginning with the premise that successful and sustainable kiosk projects are those that adapt to local contexts and cultures, this paper presents a holistic model for assessment that centers on cultural factors. We argue that understanding cultural factors allows kiosk projects to respond to local histories, needs, and values in a way that ultimately enhances the long-term viability of change. After discussing some challenges that many kiosks currently face with respect to a holistic, culture-centered assessment, we present a brief review of models for 'rapid' ethnography which are drawn from applied anthropology. Finally, we propose a focused and practical framework for holistic analysis to inform program development