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

Fri May 31 13:06:47 EAT 2013

True. They need to allow stakeholders to interogate the design of it before
it goes too far...at the very least in the spirit of public participation
enshrined in the constitution.

Muchiri

*************************
sent from my mobile device.

On May 31, 2013 12:56 PM, "Edith Adera" <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:
>
> Muchiri,
>
>
>
> You MUST get “pilots” right to achieve scale and sustainability. Pilots
don’t mean that you do things “jua kali”
>
>
>
> Edith
>
>
>
> From: Muchiri Nyaggah [mailto:muchiri at semacraft.com]
> Sent: May 31, 2013 12:45 PM
>
> To: Edith Adera
> Cc: KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 6, 000 primary schools picked for free laptop
project
>
>
>
> I was under the impresion that this phase is a pilot in preparation for a
more widescale roll-out later in the year or early next.
>
> That notwithstanding it would be great to hear what they are seeking to
achieve with this and how it will inform the project's future.
>
> Muchiri
>
> *************************
> sent from my mobile device.
>
> On May 31, 2013 11:31 AM, "Edith Adera" <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:
>
> Dear John,
>
>
>
> Interesting perspectives.
>
>
>
> I differ with your assertion that “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
funded a “technology integration program into the curriculum” in Uganda for
5 years (primary and secondary school levels) – that’s actually the CORE of
what creates the transformation!
>
>
>
> The trick is to work with the curriculum development agency (in our case
KIE – not sure what they have done to-date?); work with subject matter
specialists - teachers; instructional designers and digital developers and
follow the legal/statutory curriculum approval processes to approve the
“digital content” based on the national curriculum – this allows scaling up
easily. It is NOT about typing the text books into digital format, but
enriching them and making them multimedia to enhance student comprehension.
>
>
>
> Computers/laptops for the sake of laptops is not that transformative. You
must have the right digital educational content to enhance teaching,
learning and performance. Our scientific evidence showed improved
performance of 30-50%!! In addition to many other benefits.
>
>
>
> Lastly, the entire model must be right, end-to-end (including safe eWaste
disposal).
>
>
>
> Edith
>
>
>
>
>
> From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=
idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of John Matogo
> Sent: May 31, 2013 12:54 AM
> To: Edith Adera
> Cc: KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] 6, 000 primary schools picked for free laptop
project
>
>
>
> 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
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>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
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