CoSearch: Leveraging Multiple Devices to Enhance Collaboration in Resource-Constrained Environments

It is common for large groups of people to simultaneously share a single computer in resource-constrained communities in the developing world. However, sharing computing resources can be frustrating and can limit users’ experience with and exposure to technology. In this paper, we present the motivation behind the CoSearch system, a tool to facilitate co-located group Web search in resource constrained environments. CoSearch leverages additional devices that are cheap and pervasive even in developing countries in order to enhance the experience of all group members collaborating around a single computer. We also discuss possible avenues for further research on CoSearch-like applications within the context of the developing world.