Technology in Rural African Classrooms
Oakland, CA, February 12, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Powering the Next Generation of Producers, Consumers and Change Agents
Are mobile devices revolutionary or disruptive in a classroom setting? Should IT and social media be used to develop professional learning networks? Can Twitter and Facebook enhance teaching and learning in the classroom?
“Today Africa’s students are very tech-savvy and engage with one another through technology,” says Erna Grasz, CEO of Asante Africa Foundation. “Ensuring educational opportunity in this environment means that students will engage more actively through technology - learning more and increasing their knowledge around technology at the same time.”
Asante Africa Foundation connects global investors and donors passionate about improving the standard of education and economic opportunity in Africa with communities prepared for action. Now in its 8th year, the organization is gaining recognition as one of the continent’s leading educational and training resources.
The goal of technology in the classroom is to increase literacy, both digital & non-digital, according to Grasz, who says teachers agree that students devour knowledge and participate enthusiastically. “The applications and their verbal or written instructions are in English, so the students are automatically more exposed to listening and reading it. The expanded vocabulary and interaction builds their proficiency in English, the international language of business, as well as technology.”
Budget, and in rural settings, infrastructure, are often listed as the main stumbling blocks to bringing more modern teaching tools and technology to African classrooms. Asante Africa Foundation is critical to advancing opportunity in partner communities, solving the problem of how best to support effective learning and teaching, as well as sourcing, prioritizing funding and allocating equipment. Asante Africa Foundation provides technology together with other critical success factors like continuous teacher professional development and training. Grasz adds, “We provide clear leadership, support and guidance to ensure relevant integration of technology into education.”
A partnership with Khan Academy illustrates the power of Asante Africa Foundation’s approach. 14 young Asante Africa Foundation scholarship students and university students translated nearly 1,000 math and science videos from English to Kiswahili, significantly increasing access to world-class content for learners all over East Africa. The videos are available on YouTube as well as KA Lite (http://learningequality.org), an offline version that serves even the most rural communities. Participating students learned valuable 21st century skills, already resulting in several extraordinary job opportunities.
To learn more about how you can work with Asante Africa Foundation to empower a brighter future for Africa, contact Erna Grasz at (925) 367-5586 or egrasz@asanteafrica.org.
About Asante Africa Foundation
Asante Africa Foundation believes in the power of knowledge as the catalyst that will empower the next generation of change agents. We provide African youth with access to high quality education and the tools to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, creating opportunities to transform Africa and the world. Asante Africa Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with global headquarters in the U.S.A. (337 17th, Suite 217, Oakland, CA 94550). To learn more about Asante Africa Foundation or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit us at www.asanteafrica.org or email info@asanteafrica.org.
Press Contact:
Erna Grasz, CEO/Founder
(925) 367-5586
egrasz@asanteafrica.org
Are mobile devices revolutionary or disruptive in a classroom setting? Should IT and social media be used to develop professional learning networks? Can Twitter and Facebook enhance teaching and learning in the classroom?
“Today Africa’s students are very tech-savvy and engage with one another through technology,” says Erna Grasz, CEO of Asante Africa Foundation. “Ensuring educational opportunity in this environment means that students will engage more actively through technology - learning more and increasing their knowledge around technology at the same time.”
Asante Africa Foundation connects global investors and donors passionate about improving the standard of education and economic opportunity in Africa with communities prepared for action. Now in its 8th year, the organization is gaining recognition as one of the continent’s leading educational and training resources.
The goal of technology in the classroom is to increase literacy, both digital & non-digital, according to Grasz, who says teachers agree that students devour knowledge and participate enthusiastically. “The applications and their verbal or written instructions are in English, so the students are automatically more exposed to listening and reading it. The expanded vocabulary and interaction builds their proficiency in English, the international language of business, as well as technology.”
Budget, and in rural settings, infrastructure, are often listed as the main stumbling blocks to bringing more modern teaching tools and technology to African classrooms. Asante Africa Foundation is critical to advancing opportunity in partner communities, solving the problem of how best to support effective learning and teaching, as well as sourcing, prioritizing funding and allocating equipment. Asante Africa Foundation provides technology together with other critical success factors like continuous teacher professional development and training. Grasz adds, “We provide clear leadership, support and guidance to ensure relevant integration of technology into education.”
A partnership with Khan Academy illustrates the power of Asante Africa Foundation’s approach. 14 young Asante Africa Foundation scholarship students and university students translated nearly 1,000 math and science videos from English to Kiswahili, significantly increasing access to world-class content for learners all over East Africa. The videos are available on YouTube as well as KA Lite (http://learningequality.org), an offline version that serves even the most rural communities. Participating students learned valuable 21st century skills, already resulting in several extraordinary job opportunities.
To learn more about how you can work with Asante Africa Foundation to empower a brighter future for Africa, contact Erna Grasz at (925) 367-5586 or egrasz@asanteafrica.org.
About Asante Africa Foundation
Asante Africa Foundation believes in the power of knowledge as the catalyst that will empower the next generation of change agents. We provide African youth with access to high quality education and the tools to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, creating opportunities to transform Africa and the world. Asante Africa Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with global headquarters in the U.S.A. (337 17th, Suite 217, Oakland, CA 94550). To learn more about Asante Africa Foundation or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit us at www.asanteafrica.org or email info@asanteafrica.org.
Press Contact:
Erna Grasz, CEO/Founder
(925) 367-5586
egrasz@asanteafrica.org
Contact
Asante Africa Foundation
Erna Grasz
925-292-0245
www.asanteafrica.org
Erna Grasz
925-292-0245
www.asanteafrica.org
Contact
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