Two School of Education professors have spearheaded an effort to equip faculty and students at Kenyatta University (KU) in Kenya with the latest tools in educational technology, iPads and iPods. As part of the ‘Cuse in Kenya project, a partnership between the Schools of Education at Syracuse University and Kenyatta University (KU), Alan Foley, associate professor of Instructional Design, Development & Evaluation, and Joanna Masingila, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor in mathematics education, will be working with teacher education faculty and pre-service teachers at Kenyatta University to help them integrate technology into their teaching practice to improve their pedagogy and help all types of learners in new ways, including those with visual, auditory or other disabilities.
The goal is to obtain 20 devices, new and used, to customize for the teachers and students of KU. The impact of the new technologies will be instrumental in the success of teachers and students, providing unique access for blind students to process material in ways they couldn’t before and allowing teachers to teach more effectively. Masingila says that thanks to solar power and generators in rural areas without electricity, mobile technology is prevalent in Kenya, and having access to devices like iPads and iPods will allow pre-service and current teachers to communicate efficiently and maximize their skills in the classroom.
“We hope that having these new devices will help those in Kenya build their capacity for technology and prepare new teachers to use these tools effectively with students,” Masingila says.
Masingila spent much of the last year working with colleagues at KU on project activities, including conducting research in Kenya. Part of this was helping to identify online resources, such as videos and free web content, for teacher mentors and pre-service teachers to use and experiment with using mobile devices.
SU and KU have had an institutional linkage since 2000 and have worked to mentor students and teachers, collaborate on projects, and hold international conferences. In 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the partnership a $50,000 planning grant for teacher funding, and in 2011, the partnership was one of 11 to be funded for two years through USAID.
New and used iPads or iPods will be collected through May 8th. Visit the ‘Cuse in Kenya website for drop-off information and learn how small monetary donations can contribute to this educational effort by purchasing apps on the new and refurbished equipment.