Devices Deliver Learning in Africa.

MOBILE learning; SOCIAL conditions in Africa; RURAL schools; FOREIGN aid to education; EDUCATIONAL games; CELL phones; CURRICULUM; TWENTY-first century

The article discusses use of mobile computing devices for educational purposes in Africa. It notes that many African children cannot attend school regularly because of remote locations, work or household duties due to loss of parents from AIDS. It notes too that the absence of an effective land-line phone system and widespread cellphone use makes a move towards cellphones natural. In Mali, the Road to Reading program, implemented by the U.S. non-profit Education Development Center, posts lesson plans on a blog site for teachers to access from their cellphones. Lack of awareness of the internet or that cellphones can access it hinders spread of the program. Software launched by other organizations includes the problem-solving video games Evoke from the World Bank Institute.