Mobile Learning in Africa: a case of anonymous

SMS

Dick Ng’ambi

University of Cape Town

Keynote presented at Mobilefest, Rio de Janeiro

26th May, 2010 1

Africa & South Africa

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Cape Town, South Africa

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University of Cape Town

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Statistics Africa has the highest quota of mobile

phone subscribers per 1,000 inhabitants in the world

Estimated that in next 5 years, Africa’s buying of mobile phones will be 550%

• 16% have a home telephone (land line) (down 2% since 2008)

• 70 % personally own a cell phone

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Source: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/ict/index.html

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Source: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/ict/index.html

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Source: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/ict/index.html

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Cell phones bridging the digital divide

oProvide a bridge for students with poor conditions of accessFor example a small specific cluster of

students From low socio-economic groups Difficult conditions of access on campus Off campus access is difficult or very

difficult Poor practical access (share off campus

computer with > 4 people)Used cell phones often and for academic

purposesCzerniewicz, L & Brown, C (2007) survey of South African university students

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Project goals To empower ‘silenced’ , ‘dominated’ &

‘marginalised’ voices to become co-producers of knowledge

To leverage institutional resources (i.e. computer laboratories) through use of devices already in student hands with which students carry all the time

To widen students’ access to peers based on the content of contribution and not on who they are

To create a learning evaluation tool that ensures quick identification of students’ learning challenges

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An anonymous knowledge sharing tool called Dynamic Frequently Asked Questions (DFAQ) was designed and developed (by presenter) at the Centre for Educational Technology (CET) at the University of Cape Town (UCT)

Some DFAQ features (see later) are being integrated into SAKAI Learning Management System at UCT.

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Anonymity

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Text as expression of

thought

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Technology Mediated

Expression

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Transformation of mind

How DFAQ works Messages are sent to a short code [+27 XXXX]

Each DFAQ forum is assigned a code (such as Puc2010). Prefix a message with a forum code. Puc2010 Where is mobilefest 2010 being held? A successful posting is assigned a unique number, for

example 14

User can either answer or comment on a posting or add their ‘voice’ to it.To answer SMS:

Puc2010-14 Rio de janeiroTo add to an existing posting:

Puc2010-14 + How many times has it been held in that city?

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To check on latest answer or comment to a post, send: Send message:

Puc2010-14To read from a forum noticeboard for latest news:Send message: Puc2010To post a message on the noticeboard from

authorised mobile numbers:Send message: Puc2010-news Don’t miss Mobilefest at

PUC this week 21

Other features of DFAQ

Any previously posted message can be added to and extended by anyone

Users have access to both the web interface (when on campus) and a mobile interface (when away from campus)

All messages in DFAQ can be forwarded to a mobile phone

DFAQ has been used to address different educational challenges (see below)

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Uses enabled by DFAQ

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Scaffolding critical reading

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SMS for exam prep

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Virtual noticeboard

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Open consultation

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Student counseling

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Collaborative memos

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Decision making

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Collective questioning

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Aggregation of ideas – mediated my anonymous SMS

Some free SMS

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“The man who makes no mistakes does not usually

make anything”

Edward John Phelps (1822-1900) Speech at Mansion House on 24 Jan 1899.

Thank you

Contact: Dick Ng’ambiCentre for Educational TechnologyUniversity of Cape TownSouth AfricaEmail: dick.ngambi@uct.ac.za

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