Social Capital and the Network Effect: Implications of China's eLearning and Rural Initiatives*
Dr. Alexander G. Flor
Abstract
In spite of the vaunted social promise of ICT, many are still unconvinced that it can bring on large-scale societal impact on poverty and the development process. This presentation relates social capital formation, the network effect and critical mass theory to eLearning and rural ICT initiatives in China. It submits that large scale social impact brought about by ICT can potentially be achieved and, more importantly, observed as in the case of the Central Agricultural Broadcasting and Television School.
CABTS, unknown to many, is the largest distance learning institution catering to rural folk in the entire world. It has 38 Provincial Schools, 330 Prefecture Schools, 2,408 County Schools, 23,000 township teaching stations, 45,107 staff, and an estimated yearly average enrollment of 900,000 farmers, rural youth and housewives. CABTS is now in the process of migrating from traditional educational broadcasting to eLearning. It is now in a position to tap the social potential of electronic and social networking and perhaps serve as a model for social capital information.
Full paper available in PDF format
*Paper presented in the Regional Workshop on Building e-Community Centers for Rural Development conducted by the ADB Institute in Bali, Indonesia, 8-14 December 2004.
