Refreshing

After seeing the title “Mobile Learning Revolution Helps Empower Africa,” I thought it would be great to approach this topic of mobile learning from a different angle of thought. Guy Pfeffermann wrote an excellent piece to broaden my perspective. I don’t get excited when I hear about the next best new technology ready to hit the market. When I read about the Apple Watch, I thought it to be just another time wasting device (funny) that emits more unnecessary busyness. However, this is coming from someone who always had access to information and knowledge long before the technology revolution.

Growing up with a free education and libraries in every community, and for the most part, jobs available for the determined – the advancements in the computer age were never a matter of life and death. Well, at least not for this guy. Yet that is not the case around the world. Access to education is limited, and in some parts of the world, even impossible… accept through mobile devices and mobile learning. Africa is benefiting greatly from the technology many take for granted. It’s not a matter of following a Hollywood glamor grudge unfold on Twitter, it’s a matter of learning a skill or trade that will better themselves, family, and community – and it’s the only option available.

Nigeria, Africa’s most popular country, is beginning to take advantage of the available technologies for mobile learning. Cellphone subscriptions in Africa have skyrocketed in the last decade. Combine it with the ability to flow information through that channel, and there lies a great solution to reaching the once unreachable with quality education. Pfeffermann explained how businessmen, educators, and even their movie industry are pooling their knowledge and resources to create viable platforms for mobile learning. Investors secured the necessary software platform and adhere to a business model that allows it to be scalable so the poor will have access at discounted costs. Educators create the content and curriculum and their movie industry is creating short training videos for publication.

This is awesome! After being inundated and even spoiled with technology here in the US, it has been refreshing to hear how it's being put to good use and have a major impact on the quality of life for so many.  

 Mobile Learning in Africa: VIDEO