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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: [email protected]
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