This post is a summary of two reports. The first with the title "Schools only use computers in IT ( information tech ) classes. Published at Idgnow.uol.com.br on June,20,2012. And translated by me The second with the title above, was published at LAtimes.com on September,6th,2012.
The use of internet for studies has increased in Brazil, but mainly out of school environment. Though, most schools have at least one computer, the number of devices per pupil limits their use in the classroom. According to research of the NIC.BR ( Núcleo de Informação e Coordenação do ponto BR ) released this week, only 4% of schools have computers in classrooms. The research analysed 650 public and private schools. 65% of the teachers use the computers to teach the pupils how to use it for internet and only 21% use the computers to activities related to classroom.
Another major barrier is the low connection speed: 52% of the teachers declare that it disrupts the proper use of IT in the pedagogical process. 25% of schools have speed below 1Mb ( with many computers connected, the speed is even lower ). Others 32% have speed until 2Mb. The place of access is also another important question that can limit the integration of IT in the pedagogical process. In 2010, 81% of school had computers installed in the computers labs. In 2011, this index rose to 86%. Only 21% of private schools have computers in the classrooms, while in public schools this index is even lower, fall to 4%.
Worldwide, Sweden gets the most out of using the internet, according to a new study from a foundation that seeks to expand access to the web. The rankings are an attempt by the Worldwide Web foundation, a nonprofit group, to sum up how different countries use the internet, factoring in access, infrastructure and what information is available to users. Its "Web Index" attempts to measure no just whether people can use the internet, but what they get from it. " We want to take this issue about whether or not people are a part of the information society and help increase awareness that it is as important as access to water and vaccinations, it is not a secondary issue", said internet pioneer Tim Berners Lee, in the newly released report.
Sweden has followed in the ranking by the U.S., Britain, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and Norway. However, Qatar, which has even higher incomes than those countries, fell lower on the list, because the web has had limited political effect there, a factor that the foundation measured by political parties using the internet to mobilize voters and governments using the web to seek more citizen participation and feedback. The study did not probe deeply into issue of government censorship, but Berners Lee said he hopes future versions of the web index will do so, calling suppression of free speech, "possibly the single biggest challenge to the future of the web".
The question of how the internet will shape future societies remains an open one, even amid enthusiasm over its spread and capabilities. Although the use of social media tools to mobilize "arabs springs" protests last year inspired hope that the web would open up societies and seed democracy, skeptics warn that it has also been an apt tool for repression.
The web index is the world`s first multi-dimensional measure of the web`s use, utility and impact on people and nations. It cover 61 countries, incorporating indicators that assess the political, economic and social impact of the web, as well as indicators of web connectivity and infrastructure.
Brazil is 24º position, with the biggest grade on social impact, 64.4 and its lowest grade on political impact, 48.2. In Latin America, Brazil is behind Chile, 19º and Mexico, 22º. For more information about this index, access, thewebindex.org
