Mobile Learning for Teacher Professional Development

Abstract

There is increased concern to offer quality education in schools, especially at a time when the quality of education has been compromised owing to over enrolment in schools. This over enrolment has been occasioned by countries striving to achieve Education for All (EFA) and MDGs. Kenya, like many African countries in the Sub Saharan Africa is grappling with how to offer quality education against the backdrop of overpopulated classes. Teachers therefore need professional development to acquaint them with skills and knowledge of how to teach in the aforementioned conditions. However, lack of finances has continued to hamper these efforts, especially for teachers in the remote areas of the country. The government of Kenya has increased the access to mobile telephony to over 60% of the population. // This concept paper explores the various affordances and challenges therein, on using ICT and ODL to give professional development to teachers by use of short message services (SMS), face book to form information sharing forums, and internet generally to carry out open distance learning (ODL) courses. This capacity building of teachers will enable them to learn how to teach effectively large classes, while observing the current theories of learning like social constructivism and gender responsive pedagogy. These initiatives will all be geared towards offering equity and quality education to both boys and girls. // This paper will also explore readiness of teachers to take up ICT in supporting their professional development and if any, how they can use it to support pedagogy in class. // Paper ID: 162