Critical Perspectives of Educational Technology in Africa

This book is a critical-cultural evaluation of educational technology adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa, including projects such as the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child). It presents efficient ways of improving education delivery among low-income communities through designing and implementing congruent educational technologies that incorporate social and cultural proclivities. Ezumah defines technology with regards to pedagogy, and seeks to debunk the assumption that educational technology consists only of digital and interactive options. Additionally, she argues for a narrative paradigm shift aimed at validating analog technologies as equally capable of providing necessary and desired educational objectives and outcomes for communities who cannot afford the digital alternatives. By comparing African educational systems in precolonial, colonial, and post-colonial times and incorporating the history of technology transfers from the Global North to South, the book highlights cultural imperialism, development theory, neocolonialism, and hegemonic tendencies.

Provides a non-western perspective on educational technology transfer programs in the sub-Saharan region Cites specific examples of educational technologies that are locally invented as well as many others that originated from western-based governmental agencies, non-governmental and multi-lateral institutions Offers an alternative theoretical and action-oriented framework for utilizing ICT (information and communications technology) in African educational institutions

Autorentext

Bellarmine A. Ezumah is Associate Professor and Director of the Journalism and Mass Communications Graduate Program at Murray State University, USA. She is recipient of several awards, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship.

Inhalt

1. Introduction and Background.- 2. An Overview of the African Education Systems.- 3. Critical and Cultural Perspectives of Educational Technology Transfers and Theoretical Frameworks.- 4. Challenges of Educational Technology Adoption in Africa.- 5. Teacher Training and Pedagogy in Africa.- 6. Case Studies of Educational Technologies Deployment and Initiatives.- 7. Ezumah Model or Effective Planning and Implementation of (digital) Educational Technology.- 8. Conclusion.