RESULTS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTEREDISSUES Capitalizing Information Technology for Greater Access and

30 3. DESCRIPTION The location of the pilot study was ShanFeng village’s Digital Opportunity Centre DOC in GuKeng Township, YunLin County, Chinese Taipei. It is a small rural village with a population of 200. There is only one elementary school for local children. People make their living by planting agricultural products such as oranges, bamboo shoots, coffee, etc. The DOC is equipped with 12 computers which have Internet access. Training courses are provided for villagers. The villagers are highly equipped with ICT infrastructure, with almost one personal computer per family; however, the use of computers are underutilized. Group courses have been provided to increase their learning incentive. The pilot study was conducted from 14 to 16 December 2008. Three classes were held with a of 29 participants, both male and female. The lecturers were local ICT trainers. A background survey of the participants was conducted. The results are as follows: Chart 3.1: Gender of Participants Chart 3.2: Age distribution of participants Chart 3.3: Educational background of participants Chart 3.4: ICT usage experience of participants 31 Chart 3.5: Working status of participants Chart 3.6: ICT course attending experience of participants Chart 3.7: ICT environment status of participants 32 4. RESULTS In general, most participants were quite satisfied and enjoyed the course. A course evaluation was conducted among the participants and the results are as follows: Chart 4.1: Comprehension of the course A large majority, 90, of the respondents understood at least 60of the course. Chart 4.2: Appropriateness of course content While only 3 thought the course content was fairly appropriate, all the rest thought it was either good or very good. Chart 4.3: Performance of lecturer The lecturer who taught the course was rated as having given a good or very good performance by 93 of the participants. Chart 4.4: Interest of attending related follow- up courses An overwhelming majority, 97, of the respondents were keen on attending further courses. Chart 4.5: General satisfaction of course The level of satisfaction was also high, with 97 of the respondents saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course.