Africa Mobile Education in Action

移动教育非洲行动 Action for Mobile Education in Africa

South Africa June 1, 2013

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Summary The visit to South Africa included meeting with the Durban University of Technology, the former deputy president of South Africa, principals of two schools in the Kwazulu-Natal province and representatives in business and media.

The 6 major accomplishments of this visit are: Introduction of Mobile Learning to 35 student teachers from the Durban University of Technology, Introduction of the work and interest of the Beijing Royal School to ILanga Secondary School and the Durban University of Technology, Commitment of the former deputy president of South Africa, the Honorable Mrs Phumzile Mambo-Ngcuka, to meet with Mr Wang Guangfa during the November 2013 conference, Demonstration of innovative learning and teaching at the Iwetane Primary School, Commitment from the Ilanga Secondary School principal, Mr Hlakanyana, to promote the September 2013 teacher conference, and, The willingness of the South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC) radio station, UKHOZI FM, to favorably consider Mobile Learning as a educational project for broadcasting

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Introduction to Mobile Learning Thirty-five student teachers from the Durban University of Technology have received training in the basics of using mobile devices for learning. These students will form a very important part of implementing mobile learning in the schools where we will work.

Dr Sylvia Zulu, senior lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, is committed to her students’ use of innovative approaches to learning. She provided opportunity for us to show the students the power and possibilities of inexpensive mobile technologies for learning.

These 35 students will complete there teacher qualifications at the end of 2014. They are fully committed to work with the project during the teacher training in September and the conference in November.

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Introduction to the Durban University of Technology The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Design, Dr Kenneth Netshiombo, received details of the proposed action plan for mobile learning.

The schedule for September and, especially November, was shared and after two long meetings it was decided to involve the University’s International relations department, which functions under the guidance of Dr Lavern Samuels.

It was agreed that the focus of the November gathering should be on establishing contact between the Beijing Royal School and the Durban University of Technology.

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Former Deputy President of South Africa The Umlambo Foundation The Honorable Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed the idea of a collaboration and the possibility of a meeting during the visit of Mr Wang Guangfa in November.

48 Schools The foundation works in 48 schools in South Africa alone. They also conduct extensive school development programs in other parts of Africa. In fact, they just returned from Malawi where an extensive evaluation with schools was conducted School Improvement in Africa It is very clear that the Umlambo Foundation is capable of determining where the needs are in the various schools in the region. Their support for school improvement includes a comprehensive performance review instrument where they evaluate leadership and management, community relations, child-friendly school capacity, teacher welfare and student performance.

WEBSITE: www.umlambo.org

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Demonstrating Innovation We showed teachers how creativity can excite students during a lesson at the Iwetane Primary School

We used the Chinese, Swedish, Italian, South African, Lesotho and American currencies to teach 6 question words.

These young c hildren are able to enjo y learning desp ite very difficult livin g circumstances .

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Ilanga Secondary School Another meeting involved the principal of Ilanga Secondary School.

Ilanga Secondary School serves a needy community and caters for Grades 8-12 students in the Kwadabeka district, just out side of Durban city.

Mr Hlakanyana received the project with open arms and looked forward to the September teacher development. He was also very pleased that the Beijing Royal School would be raising funds for the needs at ILanga Secondary School.

He suggested that the teacher development program focus on English language and that he was sure that around 10-12 teachers would available during the South African spring holidays from 23-27 September.

It was agreed that careful thought be given to provide teachers with support in preparation for the teacher development so that the time is used effectively during the week in September. A remote coaching

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and preparation program should be put in place and teachers should apply to participate in the development program.

The school is on a little hill overlooking a valley. “Ilanga� means light or sun in isiZulu, the language spoken mostly in this region.

Broadcasting Mobile Learning One of the most unplanned and welcoming possibilities came when Dr Sylvia Zulu from Durban University of Technology introduced us to the work of her husband, Prince Zulu, at the UKHOZI FM radio station of the South African Broadcasting Corporation in Durban.

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After being invited to the annual African Renaissance dinner-gala, a visit to the radio station resulted in talks on how to promote the work of Mobile Learning in the region.

Prince Zulu is the Executive Producer for programs at the radio station and he is at the moment establishing contact for the project to start producing an educational program.

Clearly, Rev. Zulu is keen to see the work we do promoted and it is very possible that this will serve also as a good platform to tell more of the work of the Beijing Royal School during Mr Wang’s visit.

The radio station reaches around 7million listeners on its 24-hour broadcast schedule.

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Next steps Design and start the remote coaching and training program 15 July in preparation for the September teacher development conference.

Finalize programs for September and November.

Plan the conference and high-profile meetings for November to take place in Durban and Johannesburg.

Liaise with Mr Liu on the manufacturing of the mobile android devices/mini-tablets for mobile learning.

Appoint a South African coordinator to help manage the onsite logistical arrangements in relation to the conferences and teacher training.

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