The Concept of Communities

cartoon pictures from Gary Larson's The Farside Gallery

How can we use the concept of communities in our ICTProj
o When we are able to solve problems
o Use ICT as an effective, pragmatic and creative solution
o We contribute to the field of computing and ICT
o We are able to help our society

The idea on communities as a research topic may be fused to other ICT trend or technology such as web portals, CSCW (computer supported cooperative work) or even social networks and virtual communities. Of course, study groups are expected to read and learn more on the psychology behind communities. There are so many theories on communities or even social interaction.

Within the university, the DLSU-ALKIEBS, the COSCA or the delasalle.ph are possible avenues where study on communities are possible.

An interested group may read the next article, "A Proposed Decentralized Approach to Gathering CBMS Data Using a Web Portal and SMS Technologies Utilizing the Parochial (BEC) Model" as an example of a proposed study and e-mail your interests to Mavic Pineda -- mavicpineda@yahoo.com

A Proposed Decentralized Approach to Gathering CBMS Data Using a Web Portal and SMS Technologies Utilizing the Parochial (BEC) Model

I. Introduction

A. Background/Rationale

CBMS (community based-monitoring system) as a methodology and approach in gathering information about the poor particularly in the Philippines, has been a primary mover in national policy-making. It has slowly generated relevant content and information about poverty in the country that has led to the creation of a very relevant database. It has used systematic techniques to capture credible and truthful information about the level of poverty in the local community locations. But the approach is never a community approach. Hence, this paper intends to study the community-centered development (CCD) process which is participatory in its very nature of generating information. The CCD concept to determine poverty is the primary mover of the study.

Getting the participation of the poor to better understand their situation will help in studying the causes of poverty with the help of the statistics generated by the current CBMS. To understand their situation, it will help to know what their priorities are, what are the choices they make or why they make these choices. Another interesting topic is what makes them happy, at peace and what gives them comfort. It will also help to know how they view things or situations in the country as well as their means of getting information about what is happening in the world.

This study still intends to gather data as far as economics, education, and health will be concerned. But it intends to touch on the metadata of these factors to allow better understanding of the true living conditions these perceived poor are in. And that the approach will require volunteerism and participation among the subjects.

B. Statement of the Problem:

1. Current approach to gathering CBMS data is too centralized that inhibits efficiency;
2. Current approach is focused on gathering quantitative data and limits the room for getting exception data and/or metadata;
3. Current approach relies on basic field survey where a field surveyor is expected to inquire on several number of respondents (1:N) which makes the task highly dependent on the limited numbers of surveyors.

C. Objectives:
1. To use the BEC (basic ecclesiastical community) model of the parish or church as a source of CBMS data;
2. To apply the BEC concepts of community, volunteerism, and involvement in the design of gathering interoperable CBMS data;
3. To develop a community-centered model of a CBMS DLSU-AKIEBS web portal that will serve as the receiving hub of data from the BECs using the web and SMS technologies;
4. To provide a decentralized means of gathering qualitative and exception CBMS data from the BECs.
5. To determine possible issues that may arise in the proposed CCD (community-centered development) model of the DLSU-AKIEBS.

D. Review of Literature:

Literature Topics to be incorporated in the study:
Concepts of community
Community theories – common ground, social presence and community-centered development process, critical mass
The basic ecclesiastical community structure of the Catholic church and methods of communication employed
Definitions of web portals, types of web portals, common services rendered by web portals
Data gathering through mobile computing and/or mobile communication services
SMS for data gathering


E. Significance of the Study:

National Goals/Plans. The study intends to provide an alternative form of generating relevant information that may have not been done by the current CBMS approach. Such information may be used and factored in into the national goals and plans.

National Policies. The study will give light and context to the data gathered by the current CBMS data and better understanding of the state of poverty in the various locations of the country will take place.

Emerging Realities. SMS and web portals as solutions’ tools have been deemed to work in other applications. Further use and study of these solutions’ will empower even the telecommunications industry to help and support the Filipino society. The study will not just become an alternative in generating CBMS data but will also initiate other studies in the areas of psychology, communication studies, SMS data gathering or even community portals.

Community Goals/Plans. Hopefully, the results will empower local communities, parishes and even the local barangays to try and adopt the community web portal.



II. Expected Outputs: (This refers to the products of the investigation which would contribute to and increase the stock of knowledge/technology)

1. A functional prototype of the CBMS DLSU-AKIEBS WEB PORTAL utilizing a community-centered development process model ;
2. Methods of data capture and data gathering from the source to the web portal and the reporting scheme to be employed;
2. A design specifications of the web portal including primary and secondary features;
3. Set of system development options in building the portal and integrating the SMS tools;
4. A set of recommended SMS tools to be used;
A rationale documentation of the web portal including the design specifications following the IT Department acceptable methodologies
5. An implementation plan on how to replicate the method of data gathering in other BECs.


III. Bibliography: (preliminary list)

Department of Information Technology Services, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Cyprus (2006). Government Web Portal. Retrieved from http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/dmlcitizen_en/dmlcitizen_en?opendocument
Poverty Monitoring in the Philippines: The Case for Community Based Monitoring System. Retrieved from http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:XxuCt52s2xAJ:www.pdf.ph/downloads/Annex_3_FINAL_PDF_Poverty_Mapping_Report__2_%255B1%255D.pdf+Poverty+Monitoring+in+the+Philippines:&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ph

Preece, J. (2000).Online Communities. Community Centered Development, 7. 204-211.

Reyes, C. (1998). Institutionalizing a Poverty Monitoring System in the Philippines. IDRC Archive. Retrieved from http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:XxuCt52s2xAJ:www.pdf.ph/downloads/Annex_3_FINAL_PDF_Poverty_Mapping_Report__2_%255B1%255D.pdf+Poverty+Monitoring+in+the+Philippines:&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ph

Nowlin, C. & Bliss, G. (2003). Portal Definitions. SearchCIO-Midmarket.com 2007. Retrieved from http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci212810,00.html

Waters, N (2003). Mobile Data Service Delivery: Improving The User Experience. International Clearing House Ltd 1997-200. Retrieved from http://www.tdap.co.uk/uk/archive/mobile/mob(smart_0303).html

Several existing Philippine government web portals and SMS services are also being reviewed and studied relative to the study. Other references to follow.

NUMBER OF SOUGHT GROUPS~~

 variable at this time~~ can seek an urban poor community; a rural group community; or thru an NGO/socio-civic group
 Qualification~~ high degree of interest on the topic
 Interested parties may e-mail and apply at mavicpineda@yahoo.com

Confusion in the Moftech Presentation schedule

I would like to apologize on the confusion of the August 19 presentation schedule. It should have been August 20, 9:40-11:00 for S15. Those who are listed and can come tomorrow, please do so.

Thank you..

Final Project Outline - 1st term SY 2008-09

A PROPOSED DOCUMENT WORKFLOW for the (name of the document) of the (NAME OF OFFICE, COMPANY)

I. The Office - (name of the office)
This describes the office or unit that is in-charge of processing the document.
II. The Document - (name of the document)
This describes the purpose and use of the document; the attributes of the document, to whom it is routed for approval or decisions.
Include here the discussion of the existing workflow of the document and the diagram.
III. The Proposed Document Workflow
Discuss here the improved document workflow that will facilitate smooth, efficient and up-to-date trace of the movement of the document. Include here the proposed workflow diagram.
IV. The Recommended Solution
Describe here the recommended IT solution for the new document workflow. It may be the implementation of a new system, the use of a semi-automated system or simply a fusion of a technology suitable to the given scenario.
V. Justification of the Recommended Solution

REMINDERS ON THE PRESENTATION:

1. Dress Code: Smart Casual. No slippers. No rubber shoes. No shorts. No six-pocket pants. No revealing clothes. No non-collared shirts.
2. Limit your presentations to 15 minutes. Focus on the document workflow.
3. Bring a laptop with wide screen for your screen design demo.
4. Ensure to prepare a justification for your recommended technology solution.
GOOD LUCK!

Additional Announcements

All pending group reporting will be delivered on Aug. 11 and 12.

Only APPROVED DMS project proposal may be presented during the finals.

DMS document is due on Aug. 15, 4pm.

Project Presentations are set on Aug 19, 20, 21 and 22. A Sign-up schedule sheet will be posted.

Good luck!

MOFTECH TAKE HOME EXAM 1st term SY 2008-2009

Submit your computerized answers (with the questions) on Aug. 11 for S15 & S14, Aug. 12 for S16, class time.

1. Give at least four reasons why the Philippines is an attractive outsourcing hub? Support each reason with a referenced data or statistics. 8pts.

2. The IT Dept typically requires a CD copy of the completed thesis from the graduating students. Only a handful of groups are required to submit a printed copy of the thesis because of limited physical storage. Propose and design a solution that will make the thesis accessible to the students while protecting the document from irresponsible copy and paste practices. Recommend likewise a storage solution that will hold big volume of theses, house the thesis software and anticipate dynamism of storage requirement. 12pts.

3. Mela’s ensaymadas started its business in Taft Avenue. The buyers around the area have patronized the ensaymadas because of its freshness, taste and quality of service. There are four types of ensaymadas – the cheese, the soft cinnamon, the durian inspired and the ube-cheese combination. With its success, Mela’s decided to open small stall outlets in the Powerplant, Mall of Asia and Trinoma. Mela’s started to have outlet issues on replenishment and reordering. Either it took time for the main branch to replenish the fresh ensaymadas and/or the outlets are unable to inform the main branch of the reorders at the proper time. Propose an efficient and practical way of sending the orders from the outlets, confirmation of the orders and recording of the sold goods in the main branch daily. 10pts.

LIST OF MODERATORS

Moochie de Guzman
Cecille Santiago
Paolo Pagtalunan
JM Chan
Alyssa Camungol
Nadia Cayco
Kristine Abesamis
Leslie Ann Go
Kath Abalos
Inna Littaua
Andrew Tan
Louriza Circulado
Katrina Matute
Homer Lupac
JP Loredo

You are NOT restricted to join the other sections' conference. Pls inform the moderator if you are leaving the conference room or signing out already.

Moderators: Pls anticipate I might ask you to e-mail me the names of the people who joined you in the conference. Pls email me in my yahoo account --mavicpineda@yahoo.com your email addresses. Thank you..

Mechanics of the MOD Part1

Moftech students can join the online discussion tonight. Choose a conference group where you think you will feel comfortable sharing. Ask the moderator if you can join the conference. Introduce yourself and mention your section. After that, you can participate in the discussion.

Moftech students can use English, Filipino or broken English or broken Filipino in the discussion. As much as possible, stick to the discussion. Everyone is encouraged to share ideas, opinions, experiences and knowledge.

The moderators are tasked to encourage the interest and sharing of facts and opinions in the discussion without being rude or impolite to others. Moderators

Topic for discussion tonight: SUPPORTING KNOWLEDGE WORK

Subtopic1-- What is tacit knowledge. What is explicit knowledge. Can tacit knowledge become explicit? How?

Subtopic2-- Human capital refers to knowledge, skills, innovativeness of employees as well as company values, culture and philosophy. The enterprise may engage in knowledge creation-capture activities and knowledge absorption-reuse activities to gain from the pool of human capital (or intellectual capital) they have. Question--"How do we get people to have more knowledge in their heads?"

Subtopic3-- Is it possible for the enterprise to nurture a knowledge-sharing organization? How? or if you think it is doomed to be just a wishful item in the enterprise, what are the reasons why people would not participate in a knowledge-sharing endeavor?

Good luck! I'll be around tonight to listen. :)

MOFTECH ONLINE DISCUSSION PART 1

Hi Peeps.

We will have an online conference/discussion tonight. Please make sure all of you has a Yahoo messenger account. Pls add the yahoo id-- mytitaganda. I have created this account for online discussion purposes. Make sure to INCLUDE YOUR COMPLETE NAME & SECTION in your invitation.

The start of the online discussion is 5:30pm to 8:00pm, Fri July 18, 2008, Manila time. This is MOD (MOFTECH ONLINE DISCUSSION) Part 1.

Thank you for your patience. I'll post another announcement regarding the grouping and the topics for discussion. This is going to be fun!!

Schedule for July 21-25, 2008

Reporters assigned on the topics Distributed Systems and Managing Telecoms be ready on July 21 (S15 & S14) and July 22 (S16). Reporters assigned on the topic Outsourcing, please be ready on July 23& July 24.