Introduction of Open-Source e-Learning Environment and Resources: A Novel Approach for Secondary Schools in Tanzania

Authors: S. K. Lujara, M. M. Kissaka, L. Trojer, N. H. Mvungi

Abstract:

The concept of e-Learning is now emerging in Sub Saharan African countries like Tanzania. Due to economic constraints and other social and cultural factors faced by these countries, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is increasing at a very low pace. The digital divide threat has propelled the Government of Tanzania to put in place the national ICT Policy in 2003 which defines the direction of all ICT activities nationally. Among the main focused areas is the use of ICT in education, since for the development of any country, there is a need of creating knowledge based society. This paper discusses the initiatives made so far to introduce the use of ICT tools to some secondary schools using open source software in e-content development to facilitate a self-learning environment

Keywords: e-content, e-Learning, ICT, Open Source Software.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1062692

References:

[1] The Tanzania Development Vision 2025, available at http://www.tanzania.go.tz/vision.htm, retrieved on 12 November, 2006.
[2] The United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Communications and Transport, National Information and Communications Technologies Policy, 2003.
[3] Sekwao, N.V. (2004), ''National Report on the Development of Education 2001 - 2004'', The International Conference on Education, 8-11 Sept, 2004, Geneva, Switzerland.
[4] World Bank (2004), Programme Document for a Proposed Financing to the United Republic of Tanzania for a Secondary Education Development Program'', Washington DC, World Bank, Report No 27613.
[5] Mazigo, E.M. (2003), ''Factors Influencing Poor Performance in Basic Mathematics and remedies'': A discussion paper at a meeting between Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Officials of the Ministry of Education and Culture, 20 June 2003.
[6] ICT4Africa - Country Report Tanzania (2006), available at http://www.wikiedicator.org/ICT4Africa/Country-Report-Tanzania.pdf, retrieved on 3 March, 2007.
[7] Govindaswamy, T. (2002), ''Successful Implementation of e-learning Pedagogical Considerations'', Internet and Higher Education, Vol 4, pp. 287-299
[8] Lating, P.O. (2006) ''Hybrid E-Learning for Rural Secondary Schools in Uganda'', Licentiate Dissertation Series No. 2006:10, ISBN 91-7295-095-1.
[9] Willey, D. (2000), ''Connecting Learning Objects to Insuractional Design Theory: A Definition, a Metaphor, and a Taxonomy, The Instructional Use of Learning Objects'' available at http://reusability.org/read/chapters/wiley.doc, retrieved on.7th April, 2006.
[10] Muzio, J.A., Heins, T., Mundell, R. (2002), ''Experiences with Reusable e-Learning Objects from Theory to Practice''. Internet and Higher Education Journal Vol. 5, pp 21-34.