Here and Now or Coming in the Future? eLearning in Continuing Education in Africa

Here and Now or Coming in the Future ? eLearning in Continuing Education in Africa James Kariuki Njenga

Layout

Introduction

Here and now

Coming in the future

Benefits of eLearning for CE

Challenges of eLearning in Africa

Discussion

Introduction

The ICT revolution

Changing terminologies

Brick and mortar, click and learn, brick and click

Will we still be calling it eLearning in 2050

Do we have correspondence education? Digital cameras?

Here and now

Coming in the future

CHALLENGES

Power remains one of the most expensive cost manufacturing firms bear in Africa accounting to over 50% of the productions costs in some countries.

Africa has the least electrification rate in the world, at 24% compared to the world average of 73% with many rural areas still uncovered by the main grids since 10% of the population covered is in urban and industrial centers

But even then, the majority in urban centers in Africa are poor.

Overall, infrastructure is underdeveloped in most rural areas in Africa.

The cost of communication, and communication technologies is prohibitive in Africa.

“ an average university in Africa has no more bandwidth than the amount found in a residential connection in Europe or the United States” that is always strained; pays on average 50 times more than a typical US university per Kbps/month ; and the quality is low without firm commitments of policy from the internet providers of guaranteed uptimes - (Hawkins, 2007) Source: Internet World Stats, 2008

Africa has conservative and restrictive policies that serve as hindrances to the use of eLearning or technologies that promote eLearning

HEIs in Africa to address policy issues

creating proactive and reactive policies

manage uncritical acceptance

Manage the techno-economic and socio-systems paradigms

What constitutes access to technology for teaching and learning?

Time?

Distance?

Population?

Most of our university’s top management are living in the past. Until they accept the use of technology for teaching and learning, we are going nowhere The new teaching and learning paradigms calls for a complete “shift” of the way we teach and learn

Lack of skilled manpower in Africa in the use of eLearning means: Hindrance to its use Lack or limited research in eLearning in (for) Africa

The implications of these are:

The majority who are in need and cannot afford are left out

Limited enrolments

HE is limited to low cost, low quality education programs

HEIs getting involved in uncoordinated infrastructural development that end up being too costly

Challenges (n)

Cultural identity

Economic vulnerability

Westernization

modernity

Authenticity

contextualization

BENEFITS

Producing the workforce of today and tomorrow Creation of networks of professionals extending boundaries

Flexibility

Content and delivery

Pace

Place

Time

Easy management of learning and the learning process

Creation of repositories of intellectual and human capital

CC

OER

Copyleft

Educommons etcs

Improved retention, motivation and completion rates****

Increased interactivity, support and communication. Address the demand of Higher education

Strategies for the future

Formation of networks

Fostering relationships between HEIs, students and their environments

Dealing with human resources

Proper coordination and formation of flexible funding models

Questions/Thank You

James Kariuki Njenga

Lecturer & eLearning Consultant

Department of Information Systems

University of the Western Cape,

Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa

Tel: +27 21 959 3243

Cell: +27 72 037 3284

email: jkariuki@uwc.ac.za, jkariuki@gmail.com

blog: http://elearningfundi.blogspot.com

http://www.elearningfundi.net

Sources of images/photos

Coffee makers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotzman

Coffee Dispenser: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanjoy

Maasai girls: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbaku

Wooden Pillows: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emdot

Mobile Phone with Money: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/

Children & Bicycle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanh

Green Rift Valley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ditzygirl/

Kenya Money: http://www.flickr.com/photos/genvessel/576376009/

Kenyans Queue: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44222307@N00/2142803363/

Ugali and Cabbage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitterjug/2248918702/

electricity poles: http://www.flickr.com/photos/reinis/259842877/

Coffee cup: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/3022024974/

Computer desk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/22651487/sizes/l/

One Laptop a Child: http://www.flickr.com/photos/olpc/2596796905/

Antennas: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-photos/411570259/

Out of Order: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelbychicago/2105806003/

Old Administration: http://www.flickr.com/photos/takomabibelot/2354914078/

This side Up: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/410034254/

African Dance: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clav/2798044428/

Networks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefangmonster/352439602/

Night computer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smittenkittenoriginals/2984703872/

Network development: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenraymondparker/290276458/

The Runners: http://www.flickr.com/photos/waechor/263986663/

Demand and supply: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeblogs/271068829/

Here and Now or Coming in the Future? eLearning in Continuing Education in Africa

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