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Why Mobile?
Mobile Speech Recognizer
Persuasive Health Information
Mobile Language Learning

Berkeley Institute of Design

Why Mobile?

Over the past few years, cell phone infrastructure in developing countries has been increasing exponentially, with towers being constructed in many rural areas. As a result, many people own, have access to or are at least familiar with cell phones.  In fact, we saw that in a particular rural village we visited with a new mobile device, 33/64 people drew comparisons between the new device and cellphones, asking questions about cost, features, infrastructure and marketing.  With popularity and infrastructure mutually encouraging expansion of each other, cell phones are manifesting themselves as ideal computational platforms for applications in the areas of health, education, communication etc. 

Cell Phones for Persuasive Health Information

Though there is an abundance of health information in the form of textbooks, online references etc. it is highly underutilized in developing regions. There is a need to effectively provide access to health information to rural community health workers in order to prevent avoidable tragedies. Drawing from ideas of mobile persuasion, which takes advantage of presenting and accessing information at the opportune time, we believe mobile technology can further contribute to the effectiveness of health materials.

Cell phones for Educational Games

Cell phone mobility provides an advantage in that learners can practice language skills at their convenience in environments outside of school (e.g. while working in the fields), in accordance with the immersive approach to foreign language learning. Also, cell phone connectivity (even if it is intermittent), can allow users to receive new applications and upgrades. These ideas are further elaborated on the MILLEE project page.

Divya Ramachandran
divya At eecs.berkeley.edu

Matthew Kam
mattkam At eecs.berkeley.edu

John Canny
jfc At eecs.berkeley.edu