WIKIMEDIA Foundation and Smart Communications Inc. have partnered to push the new program “Wikipedia Zero,” a free unlimited access to Wikipedia, in a cause to shape modern education, addressing the digital divide and easing up access to free information, particularly in the context of the Philippine wireless market.
Mobile technology today is vast and evolving rapidly. It can be a useful tool for learning by tapping devices and searches for whatever they are curious with to gain knowledge.
The offer was launched in September to give its 68.9 million customers unlimited access to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia sites on their mobile devices, which will initially run until February 3, 2015.
Zero is the latest global Wikimedia initiative to provide access to knowledge to people around the world, who cannot afford mobile-data charges. It was jointly presented by Smart and Wikimedia to the Philippine media on October 23.
“Filipinos are keen to learn about the world. By making Wikipedia easily accessible through mobile devices, we are putting a huge virtual library of information in the hands of people wherever they go. This is great for students, professional and whoever needs to get information quickly,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs.
In this modern world, mobile phones are becoming an effective tool for learning which every person could have. Unlike books, it is more convenient and accessible.
“Wikipedia Zero and our other programs with Wikimedia fit perfectly into Smart’s overall drive to promote digital inclusion, particularly through the use of mobile technology for learning,” he added. This free Wikipedia access offered by Smart, mobile-phone operator and Wikimedia Foundation, which operates ‘wikis’, are free of data charges and doesn’t require a balance to get through.
Smart has been working with Wikimedia Philippines for the “Tap and Learn: Tablets for Education” project. Under this program, Filipino Wikipedia editors help train educators from public elementary and secondary schools across the country on how to use Wikipedia to enhance the learning experience of their students, as well as for their own professional development.
“Smart’s emphasis on education is aligned with the Wikimedia Foundation’s global mission,” said Carolynne Schloeder, head of global mobile partnerships at Wikimedia.
“We’re thrilled to support both Smart and our local partners at Wikimedia Philippines in their efforts to realize this mission, including their groundbreaking partnerships to incorporate Wikipedia into public education.”
“We have always looked for and promoted ways to use technology and mobile communications to drive learning and consequently, development,” Isberto said. Smart and Wikimedia Philippines also partnered for WikiExpedition, a series of cultural mapping activities with the objective of promoting heritage sites, museums and other places of interest in the country. The first WikiExpedition activity was held in September in historic Santa Ana, Manila. Twenty-three Wikimedia Philippines representatives and volunteers took photos and mapped more than 40 heritage sites in the area.
Photos and articles were uploaded to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, while GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates were plotted onto the Philippine Heritage Map. “Through programs like WikiExpedition, we are making tourism an effective means of helping Filipinos and foreign visitors learn about the culture and history of the Philippines,” Isberto said.
Smart is also supporting a government-led initiative that aims to create opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship for the millions of out-of-school youth in the country.
Special to the BusinessMirror