Connecting bridges across the digital divide

Abstract

Connecting people across the Digital Divide is as much a social effort as a technological one. We are developing a community-centered approach to learn how interaction techniques can compensate for poor communication across the Digital Divide. Preliminary trials have yielded interfaces that deal with poor quality by adapting Instant Messaging techniques for multiple modalities, providing improved semi-synchronous communication. Lessons learned suggest new ways to design user interfaces specifically for the developing world.