The document discusses introducing computer literacy to a village in Tanzania through an eLearning project. It describes setting up a computer room and training teachers on using an open-source learning management system and course creation software. While teachers benefited from the eLearning initiatives, they required the most support to get started due to low initial computer literacy. The project found that students were more interested in computer classes and spent more time in the computer room than anticipated. Recommendations included simplifying interfaces, considering the oral tradition through Swahili training, and focusing training on more experienced teachers.

1. The eLearning paradox or… Ideas to increase the computer literacy in a Tanzanian village Linda Malmqvist [email_address]

2. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

3. Computer literacy levels in Tanzania are currently very low.

4. HOW?

5. Introducing teachers to ICT.

6. AND? ?

7. Better focus on the students directly!

8. TODAY’S AGENDA ICT in East Africa Lugoba The project Preparations Field work Result Recommendations

9. ICT IN EAST AFRICA Low general availability of internet and computers. Internet penetration in Tanzania: about 1 %. Slow satellite connections with high latency.

10. ICT IN EAST AFRICA Submarine systems recently launched. Local and national governments responsible for developing regional connections. Internet cafes exist, especially around tourist spots. .

11. LUGOBA

12. ICT4RD ICT4RD – ICT For Rural Development. Schools, health centres and local governments. Sida, DIT, COSTECH, KTH. High speed optic fibre at the Wami pilot. Bunda pilot close to Lake Victoria.

13. LUGOBA About 150 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam. A typical village with a typical secondary school. Teachers between ages 23 and 65. Teachers often underpaid, sometimes undertrained.

14. LUGOBA High capacity optic fiber – satellite internet. Computer classes as part of the curriculum. Teachers trained in general computer skills.

15. LUGOBA

16. ELIMU Student project at KTH 2007 – 2008. Open source learning management system with email services, offline Wikipedia and Moodle. Moodle provides student and course management, discussion forums and wikis. Teachers were trained in using the LMS.

17. THE IDEA: AN INTERACTIVE COURSE CREATION MODULE eLimu enhancement. Integrated in normal classes such as English. Quizzes, ”fill in the blanks”, assignments. Flash vs. ready made vs. new software?

18. PREPARATIONS Requirements for unknown users. Finding the right software. Learning how to use the software. Preparing study materials and sessions.

19. eXe Simple! Open source tool for many standard exercises. Compatible with Moodle and other LMS. Courses can be exported to different useful formats.

20. COURSE CREATION MODULE : eXe

21. FURTHER PREPARATIONS Creating sample courses in different subjects. Investigating additional software and plugins. Planning sessions. Not too much planning!

22. FIELD WORK Observation and informal interviews. Installation, configurations on different OS. Training sessions and workshops. "Open computer room“. Manuals - creation, discarding, starting over.

23. FIELD WORK

24. FIELD WORK

25. FIELD WORK

26. FIELD WORK

27. FIELD WORK

28. RESULT Computer room equipped with software. Manuals distributed (paper and digitally). Most teachers at least introduced to computers. Some teachers received more advanced training. Some students also received training.

29. The eLearning paradox: The teachers would benefit a lot from eLearning initiatives, but they are at the same time the ones that are going to need the most support in getting started.

30. STUDENT FOCUS Why? Students were in general more interested in taking part of computer classes. Students were also spending more time in the computer room after school day had ended.

31. STUDENT FOCUS What? Programming, networking, web design. Nearly endless possibilities. Classes for female students. Information and preparations for careers in ICT. Sister school projects.

32. USER EXPERIENCE Simplify user interfaces. Simplified process for uploading content. Consider tradition - make use of the strong oral tradition. Swahili interface and training.

33. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS Teacher study groups based on prior knowledge. Focus on the teachers with the most experience. External stakeholders such as book companies or software developers. "Driving license" to maintain equipment quality and avoid viruses.

34. IF I COULD DO IT OVER… Meeting the teachers for better requirements. Software that is easier to use. Better manuals (simple!). Plan B. Plan C. Plan D… Plan n , Plan n+1 …

35. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Linda Malmqvist [email_address]