Mobile Learning During School Disruptions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Rene Kizilcec, Cornell University; Maximilian Chen, Cornell University; Kaja Jasinska, University of Toronto; Michael Madaio, Carnegie Mellon University; Amy Ogan, Carnegie Mellon University

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
CaseStudy1_Kenya_Analysis.R text/x-rsrc 25.1 KB 05/03/2021 08:42:PM
CaseStudy2_Allô_Alphabet_ Interview_Protocol.pdf application/pdf 56.6 KB 05/06/2021 04:39:PM

Project Citation: 

Kizilcec, Rene, Chen, Maximilian, Jasinska, Kaja, Madaio, Michael, and Ogan, Amy. Mobile Learning During School Disruptions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2021-05-06. https://doi.org/10.3886/E139741V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary School closures due to teacher strikes or political unrest in low-resource contexts can adversely affect children's educational outcomes and career opportunities. Phone-based educational technologies could help bridge these gaps in formal schooling, but it is unclear whether or how children and their families will use such systems during periods of disruption. We investigate two mobile learning technologies deployed in Sub-Saharan Africa: a text message-based application with lessons and quizzes adhering to the national curriculum in Kenya (N = 1.3m), and a voice-based platform for supporting early literacy in Côte d’Ivoire (N = 236). We examine usage and beliefs surrounding unexpected school closures in each context via system log data and interviews with families about their motivations and methods for learning during the disruption. We find that mobile learning is used as a supplement for formal and informal schooling during disruptions with equivalent or higher intensity, as parents feel responsible to ensure continuity in schooling.
Funding Sources:  View help for Funding Sources Jacobs Foundation

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms education technology; mobile learning; school disruption; Sub-Saharan Africa
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya


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V1 [2021-05-06]

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