Abstract:

In recent years the use of technology platforms has evolved to be a vital factor in the development of most activities for entities or individuals. Nevertheless, the lack of internet access in developing communities or urban-marginal areas has not allowed the improvement of economic activities, especially tourist services, which are an important part of economic development in Ecuador. Despite the interest and initiatives to collaborate with the communities, the challenge is to articulate strategic actors and to strengthen the empirical knowledge of rural community members towards their empowerment. Therefore, the participation of undergraduate students through community service has been an important resource to aim this goal. The target location for this project was Olon beach. Notwithstanding Olon is a well-known tourist destination, there is few information about tourist services online, and very low Information and Communication Technologies (ICT penetration in the daily activities of the community members).

To start, the undergraduate students of Telematics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, and Economics undergraduate programs, prepared a measurement instrument to collect information about internet access and penetration in the members of the Tourist Association in Olon, as well as their level of digital literacy. The results were analyzed to determine their needs, and the better way to introduce technology in their activities. As a result of all above, the students planned one-to-one sessions in Olon introducing the main tools the associates could use to enhance their activities. Likewise, transferring knowledge was not enough to achieve the main goal of the project, therefore students made a feasibility study and a data network design to provide free internet access along the tourist area. Moreover, strengthened and empowered people to require their necessities to local government.

Thus, the aim of this work is to present the relevance of ICT undergraduate student’s participation in a multidisciplinary project towards the increase of digital literacy in developing communities, allowing students to validate and put in practice the knowledge acquired in subjects such like Data Networks, Wireless Networks, Development and Economic Growth, and Formulation and Evaluation of Social Projects in a real scenario. Also this project contributes to addressing the goal of increasing the ICT development index from 4.6 to 5.6 as established National Development Plan (PND) “Toda una Vida".

Keywords:

Digital literacy, internet access, sustainable development, ICT.