INNOVATE. EDUCATE. IMPACT.
The Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD) is at the forefront of using technology to collect data. Leveraging University of Notre Dame expertise through its Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) Specialists, and the Center for Research Computing, NDIGD offers unique approaches to monitoring and evaluation that fuse together technologies such as Global Positions Systems (GPS), Remote Sensing (RS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with fundamental expertise in monitoring and evaluation. Where applicable, NDIGD projects use smartphones or tablets to collect data and GPS coordinates to track respondents. Making use of our many state of the art technologies, NDIGD experts are able to more efficiently and effectively measure the progress of projects and measure changes in outcomes. In addition, state of the art technology in monitoring allows us to improve project implementation, ensure accountability and transparency, and make smarter policy recommendations.
Cell phones and tablets for the facilitation of household and community-level surveys NDIGD staff have used cell phones and tablets to implement data collection at the household and community level in Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Indonesia, Ghana, Benin, Uganda and several other countries. Data are collected on
Solar panels recently installed on the grounds of a South African agricultural cooperative
applications that are available for use off-line in areas without adequate connectivity, and uploaded regularly for rapid quality control and analysis. Preliminary results are typically available within a few weeks of completion of the survey.
Tablets for implementation of literacy assessments NDIGD Education Specialists have adapted the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) to tablets for data collection in Benin, Honduras and Haiti. The assessment is implemented one-on-one with each student via Tangerine, an application which is also available off-line. Again, data is uploaded for rapid quality control and analysis, with preliminary results available within a few weeks of completion.
Crowdsourcing mechanisms Experts at Notre Dame have designed and utilized crowdsourcing mechanisms for projects spanning from disaster relief to rule of law. In Haiti, Professor Tracy Kijewski-Correa developed research software to crowd source the classification of Haitian damage photos, to support the solicitation of low-cost housing designs for developing countries, and volunteer contributions on analysis of the effects of winds on structures. The crowdsourcing mechanism is also developing algorithms that ensure highly trustworthy results.
Real-time tracking of energy use and internet connectivity NDIGD staff have partnered with experts to design and utilize metering and tracking mechanisms to monitor functionality and usage of Notre Dame-installed solar technology and internet connectivity in rural Uganda and South Africa. These technologies, combined with entrepreneurship training and mentoring, are used to foster an economic ecosystem approach to local development. Funded by the Accenture Foundation, the project allows funders and program staff to understand usage of new technology in real-time.
The University of Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development promotes human development and dignity among people worldwide through applied innovations, impact evaluation, education, and training that helps build just and equitable societies. It is an integral part of Notre Dame’s new Keough School of Global Affairs.
University of Notre Dame 940 Grace Hall South Bend, Indiana 46556 USA ndigd.nd.edu