Continuing+Development+of+African+E-Learning

 At e-learning Africa’s 6th International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training the event was opened with a positive focus for the future of e-learning. “Africa’s role is now shifting from spectator to active participant in the development of technologies." Bilal, M. (2011). Many countries have successful e-learning practices underway such as Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria and other countries can benefit from their knowledge and experience. At the 5th eLearning Africa Conference in Zambia discussions were directed towards the African countries joining together so they can have a widespread e-learning policy for all countries. “Our vision is translated into policies but development cannot be widespread until Africa unites,” Gaye, M. (2010).

There are approximately 56 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa who are not yet in a school system of any kind and e-learning could be a possible method of reaching them in an effective way. Elearning Africa News Portal. (2010).

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The largest initiative being developed by many countries is the use of mobile phones to enhance learning and also give more access to students. Dr. Tom Brown from the University of Pretoria, Africa, has identified how this could be a successful way of delivering e-learning to the large percent of students who live in rural areas and have inadequate educational facilities. His outlines how SMS can deliver information to students, general administrative support, group SMS to select courses and individual SMS to specific students with individual needs. Brown, T. (2010).The University of Pretoria piloted a programme which saw mobile phones used for a range of educational needs such as SMS quizzes in which students send their answers back about course related topics via mobile phone and a question-answer system provided for students by which they can ask a question about a specific topic and received answers based on topic selection. Brown, T. (2010).

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