Learning experiences in the real world: exploring the potential of low-cost open source platforms for mobile learning in Nepal

Learning experiences in the real world:exploring the potential of low-cost open source platforms for mobile learning in Nepal Sujan Shrestha University of West London

Research Area

Computers are the What we likebest medium forlearning and to believe?securing the futureof children

• 86% - live in rural areas • 42% - below national poverty line • urban/rural differences in access to markets, services and information (Bennett, 2005) • 36 distinct ethnic, speak over 50 languages • diversity in tradition and their cultureICT 4 D: The road 2 development

Public Schools

Private Schools

Reality Check ekantipur.com

90 Mobile Penetration Increasing? World = 78.58%80 Yes Yes.. But...70605040 Nepal = 30.69%302010 0 1960 1975 1987 2002 1963 1966 1969 1972 1978 1981 1984 1990 1993 1996 1999 2005 2008 2011

Internet Users (per 100 people)353025 World WLD Nepal NPL201510 World = 30.48% 5 Nepal = 6.78% 0 1960 1969 1975 1990 2005 2011 1963 1966 1972 1978 1981 1984 1987 1993 1996 1999 2002 2008 * Estimate. Source: ITU World Telecommunication /ICT Indicators database

Mobile Phones …pervasive use of cell phones in schools has affected students’ performance… “The DoE move to ban cell phone on school premises was necessary to maintain order, especially in the secondary and higher secondary levels” http://tinyurl.com/dy9zeaw (August, 2011)

Aim: “Investigate the potential of a low-cost open-source platform to provide onestop (offline) accessto learning materials at anytime anywhere andevaluate the perceived benefits of open-sourceplatforms to mobile learning.”

WikiReader: NanoNote:Offline Wikipedia in your pocket Pocket Computer

Research Approach• Stage 1: Public, Private & OLPC Schools• Stage 2: Pilot Study D. Recommendations• Stage 3: Main Study C. Activities & practices Qualitative study B. Device and Concept (2 and ½ Months) Evaluation A. Understanding the user, context and educational requirement

Public/Private Schools Traditional Lack of Teaching access to ICT Techniques Lack of English Poor LearningInfrastructure Environment The Challenges… The Political Lack of Instability Resources The Social Inequality

OLPC Schools• Study the experience in using laptops• Highlight benefits and challenges of ICT-integrated classes• How does it address quality and disparity in our social and education system and digital divide?

Main Study

Issues• No significant, visible impact yet!• Difficult to scale and sustain!• Achievement: due to the supporting infrastructure!• The affordability of computing remains a primary barrier.• schools lack: – access to technologies & required infrastructure – access to localised digital resources – schools lack local capacity, technical, logistical, financial capacities to use, scale and sustain TEL projects

Need to examine theprevalence of theseinequalities and theirrelationship Social DivideNeed the beststrategy forreducing thedisparities Schools Divide Digital Divide

Outcome • experience of using a low-cost open-source mobile platform in a real world • understanding which factors affect technology adoption • acknowledge & address distinctions of context • make mobile learning solutions relevant to the local needs

THANK YOU.TWITTER @SUNNYSUJANWWW.SUNNYSUJAN.CO.UK

Learning experiences in the real world: exploring the potential of low-cost open source platforms for mobile learning in Nepal

by सुजन sujan श्रेष्ठ Shrestha on Oct 07, 2012

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Learning experiences in the real world: exploring the potential of low-cost open source platforms for mobile learning in Nepal Presentation Transcript