Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Community Media 4 Kenya: a partnership approach to building collective intelligence

  • Original Article
  • Published:
AI & SOCIETY Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Collective intelligence for the common good is considered here in terms of its contribution to social transformation at the micro level of community. A critical evaluation of the knowledge limitations of research programmes currently focussing on collective intelligence is presented before the case is made to widen collective intelligence research efforts and understanding. The application of a ‘common good’ focus to collective intelligence research and practice provides a contextualising space for community practice in the digital age to be considered through a philosophy of community technologies. Community media is presented as providing tools, spaces and processes for such critical considerations to be made. Community learning and community-based learning theories are discussed and drawn together to illustrate how community–university partnerships can be developed to facilitate and promote collective intelligence for the common good. The paper concludes with an introductory discussion of the Community Media 4 Kenya (CM4K) community–university partnership as an exemplar of collective intelligence for the common good.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. For further discussion of the concept of civic intelligence see, Schuler (2001) and for insights into and an exemplar of the concept in collaborative authorship see Schuler (Ed), 2008).

References

  • Annette J (2002) Service learning in an international context in frontiers: the interdisciplinary journal of study abroad, pp 83–93. http://www.frontiersjournal.com/issues/vol8/vol8-01_annette.pdf. Accessed 26 Jan 2014

  • Al-Hakim L (ed) (2008) Business web strategy: design, alignment, and application: design, alignment, and application. IGI Global, Hershey, New York

  • Batson CD, Ahmad N, Tsang J (2002) Four motives for community involvement. J Soc Issues 58(3):429– 445

  • Bringle RG, Hatcher JA (2009) Innovative practices in service learning and curricular engagement. New Directions for Higher Education 2009(147). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.brighton.ac.uk/doi/10.1002/he.356/pdf. Accessed 07 Jan 13

  • Castells M (2010) The culture of real virtuality: The integration of electronic communication, the end of the mass audience, and the rise of interactive networks. The rise of the network society: with a new preface, vol I, second edition with a new preface. Wiley, Blackwell, Oxford, pp 355–406

  • Clark LS (2013) Cultivating the media activist: how critical media literacy and critical service learning can reform journalism education. Journalism 14(7):885–903. Sage, London

  • Cleary B, Simons L (2006) The influence of service learning on students’ personal and social development. Coll Teach 54(4):307–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day P (2001) Participating in the information society: community development and social inclusion. In: Keeble L, Loader BD (eds) Community informatics: shaping computer mediated social relations. Routledge, London, pp 305–323

    Google Scholar 

  • Day P (2009) An engagement strategy for community network research and design. In: Whitworth B, de Moor A (eds) Handbook of research on socio-technical design & social networking systems, Ch VI. IGI Global, Hershey

    Google Scholar 

  • Day P (2011) Community-based learning: A model for higher education and community partnerships. J Community Inf 7(3). http://ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/805/786. Accessed: 23 Feb 2014

  • Day P, Farenden C (2007) Participatory learning workshops (PLWs): community learning environments situated in community contexts and content. In: Proceedings of Communities and Action: Prato CIRN Conference 2007. Melbourne: Community Informatics Research Network, Monash University

  • Day P, Schuler D (2006) Community practice in the network society: pathways toward civic intelligence. In: Purcell P (ed) Networked neighbourhoods: the connected community in context. Springer, London, pp 19–46

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Day P, Khan NS, Hewetson N (2009) Development informatics & empowerment: voices of community development. In: Paper submitted to digitally empowering communities: learning from development informatics practice. 3rd International Development Informatics Association (IDIA) conference, 28–30 October, 2009. Berg-en-dal Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

  • Day P et al. (2014) Partnership education: action research & learning scenarios (PEARLS)—community-based learning through empowered voices. In: Conference proceeding—6th living knowledge conference, Copenhagen 9–11th April 2014. pp 66–87. http://www.livingknowledge.org/lk6/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/LK6_Full-paper-book_April-2014.pdf. Accessed 05 Apr 16

  • Eyler S (2002) Reflection: linking service and learning-linking students and communities. J Soc Issues 59(3):517–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisheries & Agriculture Department (2004) Report of the first session of the Working Party on Human Capacity. http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5568e/y5568e04.htm. Accessed 06 June 16

  • Flynn R (2007) Risk and the public acceptance of new technologies. In: Flynn R, Bellaby P (eds) Risk and the public acceptance of new technologies. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, pp 1–27

  • Galbraith JK (1994) The Good Society Considered: the economic dimension. Journal of Law and Society. [Annual Lecture—St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. 26/1/94]. Cardiff Law School, Cardiff

  • Gardner H (1993) Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligences. Fontana, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddens A (1993) Sociology, 2nd edn. Polity, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslanger S (2015) What is a (social) structural explanation? Philos Stud. doi:10.1007/s11098-014-0434-5. Accessed 05 Apr 16

  • Hiltz SR, Turoff M (1978) The network nation: human communication via computer. Addison-Wesley, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Illich I (1990) Tools for conviviality. Marion Boyars, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiely R (2005) A transformative learning model for service-learning: a longitudinal case study. Michigan J Community Serv Learn:5–22

  • Luckin R et al (2007) Learner-Generated Contexts: sustainable learning pathways through open content. In: Proceedings of OpenLearn: researching open content in education, pp 90–94. http://learnergeneratedcontexts.pbworks.com/f/Olearnpaper2007.pdf. Accessed 03 Apr 16

  • Lévy P (1997) Intelligence collective. English. Collective intelligence: mankind’s emerging world in cyberspace/Pierre Lévy; translated from French by Robert Bononno. Plenum Trade, New York

  • Malone TW (2006) What is collective intelligence and what will we do about it? [Online]. MIT. Center for Collective Intelligence. http://p2pfoundation.net/What_is_Collective_Intelligence. Accessed 05 Apr 16

  • Malone T, Laubacher R, Dellarocas C (2009) Harnessing crowds: mapping the genome of collective intelligence [Online]. Cambridge, MIT Center for Collective Intelligence. http://cci.mit.edu/publications/CCIwp2009-01.pdf. Accessed 05 Apr 16

  • Martin A, Seblonka K, Tryon E (2009) The challenge of short term service learning. In: Stoecker R, Tryon, Hilgendorf A (eds) The unheard voices: community organisations and service learning. Temple University Press, Philadelphia

  • McPHAIL T (ed) (2009) Development communication: reframing the role of the media. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow J (1991) Transformative dimensions of adult learning. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Miorandi D, Maggi L (2014) “Programming” social collective intelligence. IEEE Technol Soc Mag 2014:55–61

  • Mouffe C (1991) Democratic citizenship and the political community, in collective, MT community at loose ends. University Of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, pp 70–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen C (2002) Community learning: creating a sustainable future through critical awareness. Development Bulletin, vol 58, pp 102–105. Special issue: Environmental Sustainability and Poverty Reduction: Pacific Issues, edited by Pamela Thomas. https://crawford.anu.edu.au/rmap/devnet/devnet/db-58.pdf. Accessed 23 Feb 2014

  • Packham C (2008) Empowering youth and community work practice. Learning Matters, Exeter

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuler D (1996) New community networks: wired for change. Addison-Wesley, Harlow

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuler D (2001) Cultivating society’s {civic intelligence}: patterns for a new “world brain”. J Soc Inf Comm 4(2):157–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuler D (2008) Liberating voices—a pattern language for communication revolution. MIT, Massachusetts

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuler D (2014) Pieces of civic intelligence: towards a capacities framework. E-Learn Digit Media 11(5):518–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sclove R (1995) Democracy and technology. The Guilford, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirky C (2008) Here comes everybody: the power of organizing without organizations. Allen Lane, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith J (1994) Collective intelligence in computer-based collaboration. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith TW (1999) Aristotle on the conditions for and limits of the common good. Am Polit Sci Rev 93(3):625–636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor FW (1911) Principles of scientific management. Harper & Row, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner CM, Voce C, Openshaw KG, Simons M (2002) Designing service-learning to empower students and community: Jackson elementary builds a nature study center. J Soc Issues 58(3):557–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson A, Sande M (2014) From arrogance to intimacy: a handbook for active democracy. Democratise/Preera, London/Gothenburg

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CM4K, School of Media, University of Brighton, Brighton, England, UK

    Peter Day

Authors
  1. Peter Day
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Day.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Day, P. Community Media 4 Kenya: a partnership approach to building collective intelligence. AI & Soc 33, 81–89 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-017-0726-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-017-0726-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation