Week 7 .E Learning - Africa

E learning appears to be an efficient alternative of education via an enhancement of technology to help support schools that need to be closed for a period of time due to health risks in Africa. A Cholera outbreak in Zambia resulted in a closure in schools within the towns of Lusaka and Mazabuka until the situation was under control. Whilst these schools were closed students had no other source of obtaining the education needed to pass exams, many claiming it to be unfair as they took the same exams as other schools across the nation which didn't need to be closed. The outbreak of Cholera has clearly effected the progress and education of many students in these towns whilst the government has been criticized for not providing primary solutions at the time.

There is currently support in place although many have questioned its limitations and have pleaded for further development. Taonga market is a radio programme in Zambia which is only two hours and only appeals to the lower school years. A key element in the further advancement of E learning is lies within access to I.C.T and the internet . Internet Cafes seem to be the most frequent method of internet access, Proffessor Sinkala has suggested a system of which students can accsess lessons online to keep updated during any school closures. These ideas appear to be mentioned constantly although funding for an enhancement in technology to offer various methods of education isnt perceived as important compared to the health risks currently spreading across Zambia. The idea that Radio is evidently the most beneficial and accessable medium in this enviornment emphasises the significant difference in comparison to the Western world. Understandably the focus seems to be more on preventing the spread of various diseases which seem to be striking Africa constantly.

In enviornments where technology like computing and the internet seems to be standard and often taken for granted, this blog topic has further enforced the idea that we should be making more use of our technology to raise awareness of the lack of technology in places like Zambia where during difficult times the education of students are highly effected. Furthermore if higher amounts of people where aware of these situations thousands of computers and gadgets we throw away and replace every year could be of vital use in other locations like Zambia.