12th International Conference on ICT for Dvelopment, Education & Training
Conference Theme: Learning in Context
In Africa, context is all-important. No-one can afford to ignore it. It is a vital factor in decisions affecting investment, job-creation and development.
Africa is a continent, not a single country – a fact many outsiders forget. It has 54 countries and 5 time zones. Political conditions vary and, although growth rates have been rising across Africa, individual economies differ widely in both their performance and prospects. Whilst urbanisation is taking hold, communities still cling proudly to their rural traditions and most Africans, especially women, are still employed in agriculture. Across the continent, as many as 3,000 different languages are spoken, with 500 in Nigeria alone.
So, in education and training, an understanding of context is essential. As new communication technologies extend the reach of opportunity, it is vital for educators, policy makers, partners and investors to take account of the local context and conditions.
So what are the main contextual and cultural considerations affecting the development of new opportunities through technology supported learning? How can we localise content to maximise opportunity? How should we apply or adapt technology to meet local conditions and needs? Above all, in an Africa that is changing rapidly, how can we maintain and safeguard our connection to tradition and context?
These themes and sub-themes of eLearning Africa 2017 are offered as a guide for speakers to submit their proposal:
1) The African context
a) The importance of context in education, training, pedagogy, research and study in Africa
b) Local context – how context differs across Africa and how it affects education
c) The use of technology as a means of overcoming contextual obstacles
d) Linguistic, cultural and other contextual themes
e) African traditions and universal education – the importance of Africa’s learning heritage
f) Context in engagement, access, gender and diversity
g) The effect of context on funding and investment
h) Policy issues relating to context
i) Economic, energy, environmental and security concerns
j) Demographics, youth and future employment
2) In search of education for all
a) Digital literacy for learners and teachers
b) Defining the meaning of digital literacy in the African context
c) Combatting illiteracy and lack of numeracy
d) Making content compatible with context – how to adapt to languages and cultures
e) The use and re-use of open content and resources
f) MOOCs for all
g) Inclusive education and assistive technology
3) New methods and tools for excellence in learning
a) Using new pedagogies and designs for technology-assisted learning in Africa
b) Blended learning experience and the African context
c) The use of video in African learning, especially to support flipped classrooms or stories
d) Gamification, virtual reality and augmented learning
e) Social platforms and tools
f) Mobile learning and tablets
g) The sharing of content between connected communities in Africa
h) Improving availability and reducing cost – digital distribution of content and textbooks
i) The use of digital storytelling in Africa
j) Technology and local languages
k) Using new technology to preserve traditional knowledge
4) Overcoming technical problems and ensuring equal access for all
a) Infrastructures
b) Connectivity, bandwidth
c) Satellite, live streaming
d) Electricity access and renewable energy
e) The demands and opportunities of a multiplicity of digital channels and devices
f) Cross-border issues
5) The power of technology: future trends and what they mean for Africa
a) Cloud computing, collaborative authoring and reporting tools
b) Internet of things and smart cities in Africa
c) Development of software and apps for Africa
d) Adaptive learning tools
e) Sensors, gesture recognition and haptics for education – the African context
f) Drones to access remote places (books, devices, medicines…)
g) Offline learning and content access
h) Artificial intelligence
i) The development of Fintech, crowdfunding and microfinancing
6) Focus on skills: education and labour market needs
a) Defining Africa’s future labour market needs
b) African skills for African jobs
c) Technical and vocational education and training – best practices
d) Leadership for growth and opportunity – teaching leadership skills
e) Promoting innovators, tech hubs, start-ups and app developers
f) Promoting entrepreneurship skills
g) Moving beyond coding skills: creating the capacity for digital insights
h) STEAM skills for all
i) Skills for African agriculture – how ICTs and learning are changing farming
j) Gender and diversity issues for schools and companies
k) Empowering girls and women: from education access to women in business
l) Economic development sectoral case studies: tourism, agriculture, banking etc
m) Online resources for healthcare professionals
7) New partnerships and initiatives for sustainable development
a) Promoting exchange with the private sector
b) Climate change, blue and green economies and their implications
c) Creating a new learning culture
12th International Conference on ICT for Dvelopment, Education & Training
