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[Column] Jens Ischebeck: M-learning in Tanzania- Huge Potential for Change

With wealth increasing in Sub-Sahara Africa, now is most definitely the time to explore the potential for edtech to revolutionise e-learning in this region of the continent. This article explains some of the implications of recent studies and statistics relating to edtech in Tanzania, and formulates some strategies for implementing m-learning technologies in this country.

Education infrastructure in Tanzania

Tanzania has a well established education infrastructure, in terms of both its secondary and its tertiary institutions. What is more, student bodies are increasing in numbers. The University of Dar es Salaam, for example, which is one of the 30 public universities in the country, had a student body of just 2, 000 back in 1991. Today, that number has increased more than tenfold to around 15, 000 students. The story is similar across the Tanzanian education system. What is also notable about this university, however, is its committment to e-learning.

In fact, Dar es Salaam university has just opened an 'Open and Distance Learing Centre' around 80 km from the main campus. The purpose of this centre is to provide opportunities for remote e-learning, for instance via online courses and technologies such as MOOC. It is safe to say that this adaptability, this willingness to take part in the m-learning revolution, has contributed substantially to the continued success of this university. Crucially the Open and Distance Learning Centre is used not only for remote learning for people who cannot reach the main campus, but also for self-learning for people who are enrolled in the main campus. This demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of edtech solutions.
There is a rising amount of local and regional companies which provide products and materials for online courses and exam preparations, the classical fields of m-learning. This African providers guide illustrates a list of edtech startups in several countries.

Connectivity rates in Tanzania: potential for success

Mobile phone and satellite coverage is already increasing in Tanzania, as it is through much of Sub-Sahara Africa. The laying down of the Seacom fibre optic cable along the east coast of Africa, moreover, will also help to improve internet access throughout the country. Though only around 6% of the world's smartphone users (a study from the World Bank shows) are situated in Africa, that number is increasing all the time. That means that the foundations for m-learning and other forms of online learning ought to be laid right now, so that the online educational infrastructure will be ready to use as more and more young Tanzanians feel the need to do so. Over the next few years, more and more regions of Tanzania will get connected to the Seacom fire optic cable and this will open up more and more opportunities for taking part in MOOC and other edtech.

E-learning: driving economic development

As Africans living in very rural areas continue to struggle to afford smartphones, many commentators suggest that e-learning initiatives ought not to be implemented until the economy has developed sufficiently in these remote areas to enable populations to buy the technology that they need in order to take part in online courses. However, I suggest that there is another way to think about this matter - i.e. by reversing the factors of economic development and m-learning technology. Particularly with respect to Tanzania, it is the case that implementing new technologies for remote learning right now will actually help to stimulate positive economic development. So, rather than waiting for economic development to happen before we can start the m-learning revolution in Tanzania, we should implement mobile learning right now so that (on the contrary), the economy will start to pick up.

Summary of the potential for mobile learning in Tanzania

This overview of mobile learning in Tanzania has produced two key conclusions. Firstly, existing education infrastructure in the country, particularly at the tertiary level, is already starting to integrate e-learning with its more traditional pedagogical strategies. Secondly, online courses and other remote learning opportunities can actually drive positive economic development in this country rather than simply rely on it. This suggests that Tanzania is a country whose population is ready for mobile learning, increasingly savvy with MOOC and other educational technology, and ready to use new pedagogical technologies to make a positive difference in the economy of both Tanzania and of the region of Sub-Sahara Africa as a whole.

For more information about this important and exciting educational market, visit my apps-for-learning.com. Alternatively, if you wish, contact me directly today. Whether you are a student or teaching professional, we specialize in mobile education within Africa and will be pleased to help you with your enquiry.

By the way: If you are interested in online money transfers, the leading providers and how it works, just check my remittance site.

Jens Ischebeck is an mLearning, eLearning and Online Courses specialist.

 

 


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