News

The Big Debate at eLearning Africa

For the first time, at this year’s eLearning Africa in Dakar, delegates from all over Africa and beyond will join leading international experts for a major debate on an issue of central importance for the future of education in Africa.

The subject for this year’s debate is technology, an issue that is likely to stir up a lively discussion among delegates. The debate, which will be held in English and French, will be co-chaired by former British parliamentarian Dr Harold Elletson, a member of the advisory board of eLearning Africa, and the well-known Senegalese television presenter Khalil Gueye.

Khalil Gueye, co-chair

“The idea of the debate is to get people talking and exchanging views about a vital issue for the future,” says Dr Elletson. “This year, in our first eLA debate, we’re going to be talking about what we expect from technology in education in Africa. Some people think that technology is a powerful goal in its own right and that simply introducing technological innovation will have a beneficial effect on education across the African continent. Others think that technology can only be part of a wider solution and a concentration on technological change can lead to a failure to develop other more basic infrastructure. We’ll be hearing from both sides of the argument and I hope that delegates will come and join in the discussion, ask questions and put their points of view.”

During the debate, delegates will discuss two propositions about the role and importance of technology in education in Africa. The first will be:

“Access to technologies will not solve the problems facing African education. The enabling role of technology in education should only be considered as part of a wider all-encompassing solution.”

It will be opposed by speakers arguing instead for the proposition that “Widespread access to technologies has such an empowering and catalytic potential that it is a powerful goal in its own right and should be pursued by all African nations.”

Speakers in the debate will debate will include:
Neil Butcher, Project Consultant, OER Africa, South Africa
Astrid Dufborg, Lead Specialist, Sida, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sweden
Stephen Dukker, CEO, NComputing, USA
Richard Niyonkuru, M&E Advisor for ICT Projects, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
John Maurice Traxler, Director, Learning Lab, University of Wolverhampton, UK

The Debate is open to all delegates at eLearning Africa and they have will have plenty of opportunity to question speakers and make their views known. At the end of proceedings, a vote will be taken. As the debate promises to be one of the most exciting sessions at eLA, delegates are advised to arrive early to be sure of a good seat.

May 22, 2009

Newsportal: News