[kictanet] 6, 000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Fri May 31 00:54:12 EAT 2013

Hi Walu et al.

Interesting reading your perspectives on the laptop for class one pupils. I
am attending the eLearning Africa 2013 conference and talking to a number
of experts who have research on this topic and soliciting their thoughts on
how to roll out the project, I am also following discussions on experiences
from other developing countries on similar initiatives. Some of the things
that I am realizing are the following:

1. Not every child needs to get a personal device. A number of devices
could be provided to every school, possibly a lab type of environment or
resource centre. Simple access/exposure to the technology to the students
will have transformational results.

2. The choice of device(s) is also very important. A laptop or tablet
choice has merits and demerits. More so a tablet maybe useful in the early
stages class 1-3 but higher than this a device with a keyboard is
necessary. Also electricity requirements of the devices could be a
consideration. Readers are also useful but for a different purpose.

3. Minimal supervision of the students is an important catalyst. Therefore
we may not have to focus so much on the teacher training aspect. If we do
we will get stuck. The availability of the devices should not cause a
planned disruption of the status quo (teaching methods of teachers) let it
happen. The children will learn to use the technology and apply it to their
learning when they see the opportunity presents itself. Similarly teachers
will make use of the technology when they opportunity presents itself and
when they become comfortable with the technology. There are many massive
failures when deliberate efforts are made to incorporate the technology
into the curriculum and/or modify the curriculum to incorporate the
technology.

I think it is a great thing that we have these discussions, I agree with
the president, we must implement this promise. It is a big undertaking, but
the results will transform our country.

I encourage you to see this short video
http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html that
may give you food for thought.

Regards.

John Matogo

On Thu, May 30, 2013 at 6:35 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com> wrote:

> *From:* Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote
> >This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months
> ago – were these views consolidated and shared with the >Ministry? Grace?
> Walu? I think it should be done as a start.
>
> Edith I summarized most of this lists arguments on a public blog for any
> technocrat to read @
>
>
> http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/A-sober-take-on-laptops-for-class-one-pupils/-/634/1851296/-/view/asBlogPost/-/lxh3tpz/-/index.html
>
> But perhaps they are too busy to read blogs.  Perhaps the ICT Cabinet Sec.
> might translate some of our divergent view into a formal government brief
> and share with his counterpart at the Ministry of education.  Thereafter we
> except to hear an improved approach on this matter.
>
> Personally I have been abit skeptical over the whole project but willing
> to make the best out of it in terms of ideas.  But if we deliberately?
> start off on a wrong note one begins to wonder if the objective has already
> been hijacked by folks who want  to "expense" some billions rather than
> "invest" the same.
>
> walu.
>
>   ------------------------------
>  *From:* Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca>
> *To:* Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>;
> KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum <mediaeditors at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 30, 2013 5:17 PM
> *Subject:* RE: [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop
> project
>
>  Walu,
>
> In addition to clear “marginalization”, I wonder to what extent there has
> been wide consultation to engage key stakeholders including those in the
> ICT industry who have rolled out computers in schools (e.g. computer for
> schools Kenya - CFSK; cyber schools for curriculum content etc etc) and to
> learn from the very many schoolnet programs in Kenya and Africa. For
> example, IDRC funded schoolnets in Africa (including in Kenya) for over 10
> years, these lessons are well documented. E.g. an external evaluation of
> Computer’s for schools Kenya program of providing computers to schools is
> quite instructive and worth reading at
> http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/43675/1/130237.pdf . A “how
> to do guide” was also developed, documenting the entire cycle from sourcing
> the computers to eWaste management with lessons learned incorporated in the
> guide book – I’m sure copies can be gladly availed by CFSK.
>
> Others have consolidated lessons about what works and what doesn’t across
> Africa (e.g. ROCARE network of researchers studying computer programs in
> schools and the impacts in Africa). We should learn not to reinvent, but
> draw on evidence!
>
> We don’t seem interested in getting the model right, but “ticking the
> political box” saying that “laptops have been delivered by 1st January
> 2014! Looking at the entire cycle from procurement, teacher/student
> training, curriculum content provision, ongoing technical maintenance to
> eWaste disposal et etc is very critical!
>
> This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months ago
> – were these views consolidated and shared with the Ministry? Grace? Walu?
> I think it should be done as a start.
>
> The Cabinet secretary should also be advised to hold a stakeholder’s forum
> to discuss experience and lessons so we have sustainable interventions!
>
> Edith
>
>
>
>
>  *From:* kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=
> idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Walubengo J
> *Sent:* May 30, 2013 11:46 AM
> *To:* Edith Adera
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop project
>
>  Listers,
>
>  This project seems to have just kicked off on the wrong tangent...was
> wondering how they would select WHICH primary schools would get the laptops
> and was shocked to read:
>
>  >>
>
>  He (Kaimenyi, Cabinet Sec. for Education)  said the availability of
> electricity and nearness to the main grid was the basis used in deciding
> the schools selection criteria.
>  In every three schools with electricity connection, the ministry has
> selected one school close to the mains grid and another one that is far
> away from the grid....
>
>  >> adopted from
> http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000084770&story_title=6-000-primary-schools-picked-for-free-laptop-project&pageNo=2
>
>  Never mind that I thought these laptops would "solar-powered".  But now
> it looks like if you are lucky to live near an electricity pole, your luck
> doubles as you get a bonus benefit  of a laptop. If you happen to leave
> very far from one (think Pokot, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir, etc) your tough
> luck just got tougher.  I cant think of a better way of "extending" rather
> than "bridging" the digital divide..
>
>  walu.
>  nb: Mutoro:-sounds like you guys are going to have a very busy year in
> courts :-)
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Regards,

John Matogo
Manager
Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica
Strathmore University
P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA
Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line)
Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533
Twitter: @jmatogo
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Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/

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