GeSCI Blog
'GeSCI pulls no punches in report'
...according to Mike Trucano in his March 26th blog on Public Private Partnerships in ICT4E. The EduTech blog specifically refers to GeSCI's Rajasthan Education Initiative Review which describes among other things, the lessons learnt from GeSCI's experience facilitating such an ambitious PPP. Engaging the private sector is being increasingly considered by governments seeking to invest in ICTs at scale, but as the REI Review points out, a lack of leadership capacity can have a detrimental effect on unwieldy initiatives of this nature. continue reading >
New GeSCI ICT TPD Webquest
The webquest has been around for over 10 years and is hardly considered a cutting-edge e-learning application. But are its learning affordances overlooked because of its relative simplicity? Gagne's taxonomy of learning which is the basis for the webquest, supports the theory that there are different dimensions of learning and that different dimensions require diverse methods of instruction, including verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, attitudes and motor skills. These are methods of instruction many of us might assume teach basic skills early on in school (an assumption often proved false in even the most developed countries). continue reading >
PanAf newsletter indispensable to ICT4E researchers and practitioners
In PanAf’s latest insightful newsletter on ICTs in education Thierry Karsenti reveals how the physical integration of ICTs in Education in Africa has few role models on the continent, with ICTs largely remaining an occasional support for teachers. At ELA 2010 Mr Karsenti will outline a model for successful integration of ICT in African schools in order that schools across the Continent may benefit from the experience of others who have successfully overcome the same difficulties and challenges. In ‘The Content Divide’: A Call for Relevance, Mandi Maodzwa-Taruvinga warns that African educators are becoming mere vessels for western content, perpetuating ‘structures of domination of western modes of knowing and being’...... continue reading >
Comprehensive ICT Bill under review by Rwanda
The bill which will provide the legislative framework for ICT in Rwanda, aims to to establish the country as a major global centre and hub for communications and multimedia information and content services. It also endeavors to promote a civil information-based society and to grow and nurture local information resources and cultural representation that facilitates the national identity of Rwanda. In addition, the new legislation will go some way to regulating the sectors for the long-term benefits of the consumers and investors and promote a high level of consumer awareness and confidence in service delivery from industry. continue reading >
GeSCI to release new e-Content TCO calculator
GesCI will release its e-Content Total Cost of Development Calculator later this week. The model underlying the e-content TCO tool is the ADDIE model which considers Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation of new e-content. The costing parameters that have been taken into consideration include piloting and evaluation of the product during development stage. While e-content is becoming available at a prolific rate, educators are becoming more aware of the fact that e-content must be tailored to address the specific learning objectives as laid out in their curriculums. continue reading >