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Title:
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M-UBUNTU A CASE STUDY OF MOBILE PHONES & LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN TWO SOUTH AFRICAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS |
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Author(s):
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Lucy Haagen |
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ISBN:
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978-972-8939-45-8 |
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Editors:
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Inmaculada Arnedillo Sánchez and Pedro Isaías |
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Year:
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2011 |
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Edition:
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Single |
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Keywords:
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M-learning, mobile phones, literacy, S. Africa, M-Ubuntu |
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Type:
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Short Paper |
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First Page:
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241 |
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Last Page:
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245 |
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Language:
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English |
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Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload 
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Paper Abstract:
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This paper presents the findings of M-Ubuntu, a 9-month m-learning project using recycled smartphones as literacy teaching tools in two South African primary schools. The project sought to test the following two hypotheses: 1. In under-resourced schools, mobile smartphones are an accessible, affordable and sustainable alternative to computers. 2. Mobile smartphones have unique benefits for the teaching of literacy. M-Ubuntu equipped two high poverty schools with m-literacy labs that included class sets of donated offline smart phones, and a web-enabled teacher laptop and projector. Consultants from Duke University (US), Tribal, Ltd (UK) and Global Academy Worldwide (Sweden) provided onsite and remote (via Skype) teacher training. Participating teachers were supported in designing and delivering literacy-related lessons that made use of the mobile phones multiple functions including camera, audio/video recording, document reading and file storage. Because of the short duration of the pilot, it was not feasible to measure the impact of the technology on student achievement. Instead project evaluation focused on the attitudes and observed and reported teaching behaviors of teachers. Surveys revealed teachers overall enthusiasm for m-learning, and belief that is was of greatest value in the teaching of reading, writing and speaking and improvement of student behavior. Previously unpracticed pedagogical behaviors were also observed among participating teachers, including experimentation with constructivist, project-based lessons, effective use of groups, greater time devoted to reading and writing, and peer collaboration. |
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