Subject: Empowerment Technologies

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

ICT AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Social change (sometimes termed as Social Development) refers to any significant alteration
over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms. The concept also applies to change in
the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society, community of
people, or other social structures; any event or action that affects a group of individuals that have
shared values or characteristics; acts of advocacy for the cause of changing society in a normative
way.

History has witnessed profound impact of social changes brought about by industrial
revolution, abolition of slavery and feminist movement, to name a few. The Industrial Revolution (1700-
1825) was a social change because the change from man power to machine power that
characterized this movement significantly impacted all aspects of everyday life. Human populations
were able to increase, wealth became easier to accumulate, and the speed of transportation
increased enormously, mainly because of the invention of the steam engine. The abolition of slavery
changed the very fabric of society after 1865, that led civil rights movement which protected African-
Americans from injustice. Gender inequality, in turn, took a major dive when women were given the
right of suffrage in the1920s.

Social change is a topic of interest in the field of sociology but involves other fields such as
political science, history, anthropology, economics, and other social sciences. ICT, although a
completely different field, is now believed to be a major contributing force in advocacies on social
change. Information Technology is said to be fueling trivial ideas brought about by social interactions,
transforming them into significant concepts, by harnessing the power of social networking and other
technology-based platforms. In the Philippine setting, numerous social development activities would
not have been realized if not for the influence of IT and the Internet, EDSA DOS, for instance, had not
happened if not for the power of text messaging. Disaster relief operations would not have been
successful if not for Internet, of things and text brigades.

This chapter will focus on guiding students on how to realize actual applications of IT
skills learned so far as they initiate an ICT project leading to social change.

WHAT IS ICT PROJECT?

Around the world, ICT projects are either initiated or completed almost every single day. This
fact can be justified by how well the information technology is shaping the world we are living in and
changing our lives for the better.

ICT projects aim to utilize IT concepts and applications to help solve a problem. Large scale IT
projects are in the works to support something as significant as a country's economy. Entrepreneurs are
constantly laying IT-based ground works for their companies to edge out competition. And yet there
are small-scale ICT projects just aiming to change a community for the better and letting faint voices
of advocacy be heard.

Your class will be focusing on proposing a community-based ICT Project to harness IT skills you
have learned so far to promote social change that will aim to harness IT skills you have learned so far
to promote social change.

HOW TO WRITE A CONCEPT PAPER?

Just like any other projects, an ICT project starts with a proposal. In real world, a proposal helps
advocates of a project to secure support or funding from a group of people or a company. Since you
will be performing Skills Test A later (page 119), you will utilize a document called a concept paper to
convince possible stakeholders (in classroom situation, your teacher) to support your project.
Empowerment Technologies
 Subject: Empowerment Technologies
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

WHAT IS A CONCEPT PAPER?

Concept papers are summaries of projects or issues that reflect the interests, experience, and
expertise of the writer or organization. Concept papers generally serve the purpose of providing in-
depth discussion of a topic that the writer has a strong position on, usually with the intent of obtaining
funding for that project from donors. The terms "concept paper" and "proposal" are often used
interchangeably as they can be used for the same function.

There are five major components in concept paper:

Introduction. This very part vital as aims to capture the interest of the stakeholder for them to
continue reading the rest of your proposal. The group's mission and vision should be clearly stated
here alongside a brief introduction to the project.

Purpose. This part of the concept paper specifies the problem/s your project will provide solutions
to. It is here where your group will justify that your project is worth the time and funding of the
stakeholder.

Project description. All important information about the project will be discussed here. The project
goals, or overall aims, are included in this part. Here is also where the discusses the proposed
solution to the problems specified earlier. The project description also includes an overview of the
project's Methodology (also group called Project Activities or Action Plan).

Evaluation. Briefly stated in this part is your intended outcomes and how you will measure success.

Budget. Specifies all resources needed to execute the project.

MAKING ICT PROJECTS WORK

Before immersing to the actual process of jumpstarting an ICT project, this part of the discussion will
first give some insights to students on factors that can help in making their projects successful. As
students will be tasked to create an ICT Project later, keep in mind to review this part of the book as
you perform those activities later.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN CREATING AN ICT PROJECT

ICT project entail great expense and complexity. The key considerations outlined here increase the
likelihood of effective project design, cost-effective implementation, and impact.

 Know why ICT is being used.

A clear understanding on why ICT is used a means to help solve a problem motivates a team
more and makes doing a project worthwhile.

 Incorporate specific tools to meet specific needs.

Understand that every technology enables specific actions and incurs limitations. Technology-
based tools must comply to or match the requirements of project objectives.

 Match ICT to infrastructure.

Always choose ICT tools that are supported by the organizational infrastructure to avoid
complexities and incompatibilities in the long run.

 Match ICT to human resources and learning resources.

If necessary, enlist the aid of experts to analyze requirements in advance. This will lessen the
chances of shifting to another platform in the middle of project development.

Empowerment Technologies
 Subject: Empowerment Technologies
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

 Combine different tools for enhanced impact.

Use familiar and proven tools whenever possible, but always think creatively about technology
problems and about combinations of tools that can solve them.

 Commit enough time, resources, and budget to allow ICT to realize its potential.
Plan accordingly and allocate much needed resources to fuel you ICT project to succeed.

 Keep in mind that ICT supports solutions; it is not the solution.

On top of it all, always keep in mind that the ICT project is not the actual solution, but a
significant part of the solution. Other outside factors may contribute to the success or failure of
a project.

AUDIENCE PROFILING

Before pushing forward with the ICT Project of your choice, consider first profiling your target
audience. You need to know your target audience and how to reach them. Audience profiling doesn't
limit your audience, it simply helps you choose where to spend your time and money for your project
to be realized. Audience profiling gives you the opportunity to make more targeted marketing choices
and ensures that you focus your advocacies on proper groups of persons.

Two effective methods of profiling can be used: demographic and psychographic profiling.

Demographics and psychographics are both critical aspects of consumer research and are
used by marketers to understand their ideal customers better. Demographic information includes the
basics: age, gender, race, location, and profession. While demographics are still valuable and can be
used as a starting point, they don't shed light on the passion points and interests of an audience.

Psychographics, however, focuses on the interests, affinities, and emotions of a group of

people - exactly the things marketers need to understand to best position their product. When creating
a campaign or any form of communications to your audience, it is critical to connect with the
audience on a cultural and emotional level to ensure that the look, feel, and tone of your content fits.

DESIGNING AND COPYWRITING FOR ICT PROJECTS

Be sure to consider audience profiling before committing to a future ICT project proposal.

Copywriting is the process of writing advertising promotional materials. Copywriters are the
people responsible for the text on brochures, billboards, websites, emails, advertisements, catalogs,
and more. Unlike news writing, copywriting is about getting the reader to take action. That action might
be to convince, purchase, opt-in, or engage with a product, service, or company. This is the reason
that a copywriter is often referred to as "a salesman in print."

Copywriting should not be confused with "copyright." Copyright means an individual or

company has the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute someone's work (such as
books, music, artistic items). The purpose of a copyright is to protect the material and prevent illegal
use of it by unauthorized agents. The owner designates the material is copyrighted with the symbol Ⓒ

Website design and copywriting should work hand-in-hand. The partnership between a
copywriter and a web designer is crucial to the success and effectiveness of web any project. When
a copywriter and a designer do not work as partners in a web project, it's the client that suffers. They
end up with; (1) design that does not support the copy; (2) copy that does not support the design; (3)
mixed messages; or (4) loss of the message altogether. This will prove very disastrous for your advocacy!
Jessica Mehring (2014) proposed for the 3 C's of how to develop an effective partnership between a
copywriter and designer:

Empowerment Technologies
 Subject: Empowerment Technologies
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

1. Concept. The designer and the copywriter must get on the same page about what
the client's end goal is. Having a mutual understanding of the main objective of the client
will enable their works to instantly be cohesive.

2. Collaboration. Every individual has their own preferred way of working – but to do a good
job for the client, designers and copywriters must collaborate. That means willingly
cooperating to produce an end product that meets the client's goals. For this to work, it is
ideal that both parties agree on who to finish their work first, as the other can base his/her
work from the finished one.

3. Communication. Designers and copywriters have a tendency to isolate themselves once the
work on a project has begun. They should do the opposite and communicate as often as
possible, to have a clear and concise ideas about the project.

Applying concepts of proper copywriting can do wonders to your ICT project. Use the tips discussed
so as your advocacy will be clearly heard leading to a social change.

ICT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Upon the approval of proposal, you are now ready to go about developing your ICT project.
Put in mind that you will be working with constraints in terms of schedule and budget. It will be very
logical to push forward with a detailed plan. To be able to do so, you will be introduced to the idea of
project management.
According to Project Management Institute (PMI) website, Project Management is the
application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project
requirements. It has always been practiced informally, but began to emerge as a distinct profession in
the mid-20th century. PMI's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)
identifies its recurring elements.

Project management processes fall into five groups:

1. Initiating - the project goal, need, or problem is identified. Here, a project manager is assigned
to the project and the project charter is created.

2. Planning - the project manager and the project team work together to plan all of the needed
steps to reach a successful project conclusion. The project planning processes are iterative in
nature and it's expected that planning will happen often throughout the project.

3. Executing - once the project plan has been created, the project team goes about executing
the project plan to create the deliverables of the project. The project can shift to project
planning as needed throughout project execution.

4. Monitoring and Controlling - as the project is being executed by the project team, the project
manager monitors and controls the work for time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and other factors
of the project. Monitoring and controlling is also an ongoing process to ensure that the project
addresses its targets for each project objective

5. Closing - at the end of each phase and at the end of the entire project, project closure happens
to ensure that all of the work has been completed, is approved, and ultimately transferred
ownership from the project team to operations.

The concept of IT project management will be used in implementing an ICT project. IT Project
Management is defined as the process of planning, organizing, and delineating responsibility for the
completion of an organizations' specific information technology goals. In its highest level, it includes
overseeing projects for software development, hardware installations, network upgrades, cloud

Empowerment Technologies
 Subject: Empowerment Technologies
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

computing and virtualization rollouts, business analytics and data management projects and
implementing IT services.

THE SIMPLIFIED ICT PROJECT PROCESS APPROACH

Since you are preparing for a simple ICT project, a modified approach to IT Project
Management called the Simplified ICT Project Process will be used. It spans all vital IT Project
Management steps while assuring that the project is finished in ample time. Below depicts the process
flow.

Release and
Planning Development Maintenance
Promotion

You will now be given an idea on how to execute each step depicted on the diagram. But do
remember the project content that will be mentioned are just examples and can be modified if your
group wishes to do so.

PLANNING

The Planning phase involves numerous things. It starts with project conceptualization.
Brainstorming sessions will have to commence so as to get the group's collective idea on project
context. Intensive research will also help the group gather ideas. The concept paper developed by
the group will greatly help the group in this phase. Designation of tasks will also be a highlight of this
phase as key members will be tapped to accomplish vital parts of the project. The project timetable
will also be a major output here, helping the group identify milestones to be achieved.

The project's technical considerations will be tackled at this phase which concerns the
technology platform to be used, finding the appropriate web or blog hosting service to use, website
design and site map, and all other applications to be used. Finally, budgetary constraints must also be
tackled as it is very crucial in moving forward.

DEVELOPMENT

This phase will involve actual development of online platforms and application the ICT project
will be utilizing. Decisions about pictures to use and sites to link will be incorporated in the actual website
design. Campaign paraphernalia will be produced like posters or infographics. Social media
sites/pages supporting the campaign will be put up as contents are generated.

RELEASE AND PROMOTION

Promotion will be the voice of your advocacy. Your project will be useless if nobody knows it
even exists. Be sure to plan ahead on how to make some noise and let your advocacy be heard.
Promotions may include flyer distribution, use of posters, ads on school or local publications, and more.
When the actual launching of on-line application happens, be sure to employ social media and ask
your friends to share your posts concerning the ICT project.

MAINTENANCE
The content of your platforms and applications used must be periodically updated. People
who will be supporting your advocacy would love to hear updates and would want to know what your
current plans are. Be sure to designate a group member who will collate comments and suggestions
from your website and even answer queries posted. Pictures -and write-ups about current undertakings
must also be posted as it could inspire more followers of your advocacy.

Empowerment Technologies
 Subject: Empowerment Technologies
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 7- Developing an ICT Project for Social Change Subject Teacher:

Resources:

SAGUN, Macr Lester John A. and BANDALA, Argel A., Empowerment Technologies Second Edition
2019. Diwa Learning Systems, Inc.

TOLENTINO, Aurora Rosalie P., EVANGELISTA, Angelica B., MACARAIG, Bernadet C. Et. Al.,
Empowerment Technologies. Mutya Publising House, Inc.

Empowerment Technologies Second Edition 2019, Rex Book Store Inc.

Empowerment Technologies