Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Mobile Phone Learning on the Move in Africa

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community
Another post touting the potential for e-learning in Africa using mobile phones. But I can't convince myself to jump on the bandwagon - mobile phones are still expensive to use, their proprietary nature precludes any experimentation, and most phones in use in Africa are not smartphones, meaning at best they support audio learning resources only. Here's what we are supposed to think e-learning means in Africa: "audio files could be useful, as they allow students to repeat course content at any location or even while on the move." Right. But this means, mostly, traditional learning. "Pucher emphasised that simply listening to an audio file in most cases would not enable a listener to memorise the content – audio files should be used as a complement to traditional learning material." Instead of making the phone companies happy, international agencies should be thinking about how to get proper e-learning tools and support into the hands of Africans. Via Tony Bates.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Apr 23, 2024 05:47 a.m.

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