We focus on development efforts that use information and communication technologies for educational purposes in developing nations. The oppositional nature of the approaches to development makes constructive dialogue among theoretical perspectives difficult. Using Jackson's (1996) metatheoretical classification scheme, we sort development research based on 4 possible logical relationships between technology as an artifact and the social context. Derivation of the scheme is principled rather than historical and independent of any particular theory. Focusing on assumptions about technology and context brings new understanding of each perspective and can foster a dialogue across the perspectives. Further, we offer that self-organizing systems theory possesses the potential of representing an integrationist perspective in development research.
We focus on development efforts that use information and communication technologies for educational purposes in developing nations. The oppositional nature of the approaches to development makes constructive dialogue among theoretical perspectives difficult. Using Jackson's (1996) metatheoretical classification scheme, we sort development research based on 4 possible logical relationships between technology as an artifact and the social context. Derivation of the scheme is principled rather than historical and independent of any particular theory. Focusing on assumptions about technology and context brings new understanding of each perspective and can foster a dialogue across the perspectives. Further, we offer that self-organizing systems theory possesses the potential of representing an integrationist perspective in development research.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.