Development and Development of E-Learning Programs - Case Study Example

Explain how recent developments in e-government aim to improve access to information about everyday problem solving. The explosive penetration of technology into every sphere of life has influenced how the U.K government serves its citizens. With the support from IT vendors, the government, in its effort to cope into the new technological environment, has recognized the importance and urgency to change the way of its operations in the provision of services and information to its citizens. The consequent result is the birth of e-government. This refers to the provision of services and information on-line via digital means such as the internet. Web service delivery has enhanced interactive communication in the delivery of government services. The evolution of e-government and its subsequent consumption has resulted to faster and efficient access to information by citizens about various government operations. It is from this background that this paper seeks to investigate how recent development in e-government aims to improve access to information about everyday problem solving for people with HIV/AIDS. Since HIV/AIDS is a concern to the governments of the world, there is need to increase access to information on HIV/AIDS prevention and support groups. ICT is largely dominating as an essential instrument in availing this information to the concerned people. However, the widespread adoption posses a challenge to the government .The implementation of ICT adoption should be sensitive to the needs of people with HIV/AIDS and all the stakeholders. The national and local governments need to identify the pivotal role of ICT in promoting and facilitating the U.K competitiveness and realizing development challenges such as HIV/AIDS. E-government considers the application of ICT in public Administration in line with the provision of essential services and encouraging the participation of people in policy development. For ICT to play its roles well in the provision of information about everyday problem solving for people with HIV/AIDS there is need to sensitize the concerned parties on the initiative. Focus is on the access, affordability, training and capacity development, significant content and daily practices in e-government and the political will support. The target population as it shall be seen is people with HIV/AIDS. E-government is an avenue that enables the Administration to operate and communicate effectively in its daily operations to the relevant authorities. There is need to maintain a communication channel between the government and the relevant bodies involved in HIV/ AIDS awareness. E-GOVERNMENT AND E-READINESS OF PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS. Kirkman, Osorio and Sachs (2002) define e-readiness as "the degree to which a community is prepared, and has a potential to participate in the networked world" are. The level of People's understanding of ICT is important to consider among other factors that determine e-readiness such as physical infrastructure, level of ICT competence, and the local ICT economy. E-government is concerned about using information and communication Technology (ICT) to foster the efficiency, better the access to information, and foresee effectiveness in of governance in public institutions. As a result its key focus is people and not just technology. E-government is meeting the daily challenges of people with HIV/AIDS by storing information in digital form where its easily accessed and transfer to other forms is made easier. ICT promotes better statistics and relevant documentation of people with HIV/AIDS. However, a question of concern is; does e-government mean anything to the target population. Does it make sense to people who cannot afford a computer or are deficient in basic IT knowledge The government has established e-government Unit (e-GU) to synchronise the delivery of information to its citizen. This is captured in its mission: "Ensuring that IT supports the business transformation of government itself so that we can provide better, more efficient, public service" This is the biggest unit in the cabinet aimed at delivering citizen on-line services and developing IT components across the government. The impact of e-government is seen in the attitudes of its citizens on behavior change due to the information posted on the web. The publication of the implementation plan in 2007 has boosted the remote access to all findings in research in HIV/AIDS. Its within the scope of the government to investigate and determine the e-readiness of people and consequently spearhead the importance of ICT. For this to be effectively utilized the target population must have the necessary skills for technological benefits. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2003), e-government applies ICT within a public administration in order to provide services delivery, public participation in governance, policy development and its implementation. E-GOVERNMENT AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS. Information about HIV/AIDS is key to addressing issues affecting people with AIDS/HIV in the U.K. Statistics on the affected number of people is available on-line. The campaign to raise awareness by the government has been boosted by e-government. The government I.T profession involves in consultations with all the departments in the public sector to upgrade services. This brings together all I.T professionals across the government. The global target of the U.K created by the Department for International Development (DFID) releases its strategies in the government website for the U.K's halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by enhancing universal access to information on HIV/AIDS. West D.M (2000) says that many governmental units have embraced the digital revolution and are putting a wide range of materials from publications and database to actual government services on-line for citizens. E-government has boosted international transactions. The reducing ICT cost and open source software has enabled the success of disseminating information on people for the purposes of taxation. This becomes an important factor in the process of decision making for the welfare of the vulnerable groups. E-government has been a resourceful to planners and strategists. The data warehouse is a reliable source for this information. Data warehousing is essential for the storage, retrieval and updating of information on people with HIV/AIDS. The information maintained in the government warehouse can be accessed at any time. This innovation has seen increased access to information. ICT projects designed to guide efforts on the availing of information to researchers for better planning and predictions. The electronic platform has enabled the storage of information in digital form. This initiative has reduced unnecessary movement in search of information. By just logging into the government's website one is able to access this information. The days of walking in search of government information has been eliminated. A national effort to ensure access to knowledge and information on HIV/AIDS is pivotal in transforming potential for innovation in dealing with the pandemic. Successful use for ICT in provision of this information has been hinged to e-government. Many U.K HIV/AIDS organizations are promoting improved sexual health services .The government works with these organizations to sensitize people allover the nation via on-line to educate people on responsible behaviour, access to drugs and linkage to support groups. '...the actual nuts and bolts of computers and network cables are only one party of access measurement ; people's understanding of the potentials of ICTs and laws are just some of the things to consider' Voslo and Belle P.J (2005 pg 2). Its not enough to provide the hardware and the soft wares, there's a serious need to educate the masses and change their attitude. The physical access to the machines is just a starting point in the access to the information. The importance of healthy ICT utilization within the government is important in feeding information about people with HIV/AIDS. The number of people dying from AIDS has reduced due to the access to information. Good governance requires the adoption of the changes in e-business and e-commerce in addressing the needs of its population. E-government offers the insight and potential to reform the public and restore confidence in the people (Gqola, 2006). A broader grasp of e-government is pragmatic for the government's role in provision of information to its citizens. Intergovernmental deliberations are also sustained by e-government opportunities in funding and support of HIV/AIDS programmes. Today in many cases, the content available to us is richer and meaningful to information on HIV/AIDS courtesy of e-government. CONCLUSION Application and integration of ICT in governance in the provision of information on people with HIV/AIDS is worth embracing by all stakeholders. Recent development mobile devices, technology and networks in the U.K has made possible for citizens to access information and transact services while on the move. This has helped the government to avail services promptly to citizens. Government is faced with challenges of ensuring a widespread adoption of ICT in the presence of geographical, social, economic and political barriers. The e-readiness of the people has also been analyzed as a factor to consider in the provision of the information on people with HIV/AIDS. ICT is an important tool in the success of dissemination of information due to its immediacy and prompt access. However, the adoption of ICT should be in line with the people's ability and needs. If the entire needs of the people are not taken into consideration, a situation of digital divide arises and hence all people do not evenly access information on HIV/AIDS. E-government has enhanced the government to operate and communicate effectively and efficiently. An examination of e-readiness of a people is necessary for better utilization and evaluation of the people's. ICT has helped to fight HIV/AIDS by promoting preventive Education through e learning. Integration of government services in ICT with a focus on the enhancement of information on people with HIV/AIDS is the core business of all governments. REFERENCES Economist Intelligent Unit (2002) Available at www.eiu.com/index.asprf=o Retrieved on 7/12/2008 Gqola, P.D (2006) Bridging the divide between development goals, research and policy in developing countries. Available at www.reseachspace.csir.co.za/dspac/handle/10204/1169. Retrieved on 7/12/2008 Layne, K. and Lee, J. (2000) Benchmarking the g-government Revolution. available at www.sciencedirect.com/science . Retrieved on 7/12/2008. Kirkman, Osorio and Sachs (2002) Measuring the Preparedness of Nations on e-government. Available at www.opensourse.mit.edu/papers/Osorio.pdf . Retrieved on 7/12/2008 United Nations Department of Economics and Social Sciences (2003) Available at www.un.org/esa/desa/ retrieved on 7/12/2008 Voslo. S and Belle, P.J E-government and The E-preparedness of Non-Profit organizations in the Western Cape, South Africa. Available at www.commerce.uct.ac.za/information systems/staff. Retrieved on 7/12/2008 West. D.M Assessing E-government; The Internet, Democracy and service Delivery by State and Federal. Available at www.bndes.gov.br/clients/edaratrivo/bf . Retrioeved on 7/12/2008 Read More