By Mary Zawadi
The
journey from chalks to clicks in the Kenyan education system is way more than
the change in tools for learning but rather depicts a shift in the way we look and
do our things, our attitudes, value system as well what we strive to achieve on
a day to day.
Kenya is positioned in a global space where different countries have developed unique systems of education with some of them becoming successful while others still undergoing a continuous development. This has for sure placed Kenya in a competitive environment which constantly pushes it to continue working on the curriculum to make sure all needs for the learners are well taken care of.
As
we look at the future of education in Kenya, am reminded of a famous quote by Winston Churchill states
that “The further backward you can look, the further forward you are likely
to see.” It is important to look
at where we started and evaluate how the future looks so that we get insights by
identifying opportunities to enhance the quality of education while embracing
digital innovations in a rapidly evolving world. The insights will be very
crucial for different stakeholders such as parents, students, educators as well
as policy makers.
Even as digitalization generates
opportunities to increase accessibility to education in Kenya, the digital divide
has continued to grow larger for groups that have benefited least from the
infrastructural development of information and communication technologies
(Srinivasan 2006)
To
curb this digital divide, (Barasa, 2021) highlights that Government of Kenya
instituted ICT reforms that have seen the introduction of high-speed internet, computers,
tablets and other digital tools in schools through projects funded by the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and through multiple partnerships
with agencies and organizations such as the Network Initiative for Computers in
Education, Microsoft and Oracle.
(Barasa,
2021) further adds that technology in Kenya has been used to offer solutions to
teacher shortages especially in the underserved rural areas and urban informal settlements.
By prioritizing ICT, Kenya has aimed to integrate technology through policy
development, infrastructure investment, technical support, digital content integration
to improve access of education and equity.
Predictions
for the next decade of Learning
Appropriate investments in education and training are a catalyst to socioeconomic development in many countries. These investments generate outcomes such as knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes. An appropriate education system for any country should be founded on a philosophy, vision, mission that targets goals through clearly stated objectives (Riechi, 2021)
Kenya
may not be extremely technologically advanced when it comes to education but
the continuous year in improvements will take us far. The shift from chalks to
clicks is evident and looking at the next decade, the system is likely going to
be characterized by an increased technological advancement on both physical and
virtual learning.
AI integration on Learning
AI
integration in learning has been a great asset on learning as it offers
personalized attention to learners. A lot of learning is already taking place
virtually and the AI assistants can provide instant feedback and even go further
to assist in developing lesson plans for students and tutors.
A
perfect example is the SOMANASI app that is designed to bring the future of
student learning by blending interactive learning content such as textbooks,
audiobooks, assessments and courses in a simple AI supported mobile app.
The
app has gamification elements to foster incentive driven learning and
encourages students to take active roles in their education to create a vibrant
online community.
Integrated Learning
Approaches
(Singh
et al., 2021) highlights that the COVID 19 pandemic had deep impact on many institutions
& changed the landscape of education systems. He further adds that its important
to examine different approaches including online, hybrid & blended learning
methods.
Blended/
hybrid learning as defined by (Dziuban et al., 2004) is an instructional method
that includes the efficiency and socialization opportunities of the traditional
face-to-face classroom with the digitally enhanced learning possibilities of
the online mode of delivery.
According
to the (World Bank Report 2022) the Kenya’s education sector recorded great
improvement despite the disruption of COVID 19 due to education reforms that
sought to improve the quality of education through the embracing of technology s
part of learning.
Many
institutions have implemented a blended learning approach and focused on
synchronous and asynchronous learning so as to allow accessible and flexible
education for all learners.
Virtual Reality for
Enhanced Learning
Nowadays it is becoming possible even for an average user to move into the world of computer graphics. This fascination with a new reality often starts with computer games and lasts forever. It allows people to see the surrounding world in other dimensions and to experience things that are not accessible in real life or even not yet created (Mandal, 2013)
Virtual
reality is not only being used on gamified approaches but has been infused in
the education systems. Schools like Nexa International School Kiambu has
incorporated virtual reality into their curriculum. Unlike conventional field
trips that require students to travel long distances, here the learners can
make observations on various topics by donning VR headsets at the comfort of their
desk and has sparked curiosity among students in the long run.
Innovation in Education
(Wagner, 2012) defines innovation in education as the cultivation of creativity, critical thinking and problem solving in learners. Gradually Kenya is becoming a hub for educational technology innovation with many institutions such as Mastercard Foundation Edtech Fellowship supporting technological solutions in Kenya in partnership with iHub. Initiatives like this will impact learning across the continent and in the long run bring out the creative minds of learners at work and develop technological solutions in different institutions such as entrepreneurship, medicine, education e.t.c
In
conclusion, it was earlier alluded that the amazing journey from chalks to
clicks is more than just embracing technology, but it depicts a shift in the
way we look and do our things, our attitudes, value system as well what we strive
to achieve on a day to day.
The
future has a lot to offer, Kenya will need to continuously embrace technology and
innovations in education and closely collaborate with the different stakeholders
such as learners, policy makers, teachers, parents/guardians so as to ensure
that the next generation is ready to flourish in an ever more digital and
interconnected global environment.
References
Barasa,
P. L. (2021). Digitalization in teaching and education in Kenya:
Digitalization, the future of work and the teaching profession project.
International Labour Organization.
Srinivasan,
R. (2006). Where information society and community voice intersect. The
Information Society, 22(5), 355–365.
Riechi,
A. R. (2021). The Education System of Kenya: Philosophy, Vision, and Mission.
The Education Systems of Africa, 211-224.
Singh,
J., Steele, K., & Singh, L. (2021). Combining the best of online and
face-to-face learning: Hybrid and blended learning approach for COVID-19, post
vaccine, & post-pandemic world. Journal of Educational Technology Systems,
50(2), 140-171.
Dziuban
C. D., Hartman J. L., Moskal P. D. (2004). Blended learning. EDUCAUSE
Research Bulletin, 7, 1–12.
Mandal,
S. (2013). Brief introduction of virtual reality & its challenges.
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4(4), 304-309.
Wagner,
T., & Compton, R. A. (2012). Creating innovators: The making of young
people who will change the world. Simon and Schuster.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kenya/publication/lessons-from-kenya-s-education-reforms
https://africa.cgtn.com/kenyan-school-embraces-virtual-reality-for-enhanced-learning/
Am already excited reading about the future of education in Kenya having looked at where we've come from. We may not be there yet but I believe one step at a time will make the journey worth it. Great reading!
ReplyDeleteAs part of the stakeholders (am a parent) there are a lot of insights to draw from this. What stood of for me is the fact that the shift from chalks to clicks is not just about the tools but the shift shows the way we look and do our things, our attitudes as well as our value systems. Nimependa.
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