Mobile Learning in Africa: a case of anonymous SMS
1. 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
15. 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 14
16. 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. 15
21. 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 janeiro To add to an existing posting: Puc2010-14 + How many times has it been held in that city? 20
22. To check on latest answer or comment to a post, send: Send message: Puc2010-14 To read from a forum noticeboard for latest news: Send message: Puc2010 To post a message on the noticeboard from authorised mobile numbers: Send message: Puc2010-news Don’t miss Mobilefest at PUC this week 21
23. 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) 22