Tanzania Hosts eLearning Africa 2011 Conference

eLearning Africa, the Continent’s premier annual conference on ICT-enhanced learning and which this year is hosted by Tanzania, will once again be showcasing a wealth of proposals that promise to stimulate thought and discussion.

Individual topics range from eBook clubs in Uganda and multimedia storytelling in Tanzania to eBusiness among women in Nigeria and school governance in Francophone Africa.

In line with the main theme – Youth, Skills & Employability – many proposals focus on the affordability, sustainability and pedagogical integration of ICTs in ways which can improve the learning, living and employment opportunities of young Africans.

Mobile learning in health, education and agriculture and Open Educational Resources (OER) feature very highly on our agenda. Given the popularity of OERs as an issue, the eLearning Africa Debate will provide a platform for argument about the controversies at the heart of the OER enterprise.

With its new and dedicated research stream, eLearning Africa aspires to nurture African research and knowledge in the field of ICTs in education.

Main Facts:

• eLA is the largest gathering of eLearning and ICT supported education and training professionals in Africa, enabling participants to develop multinational and cross-industry contacts and partnerships, as well as to enhance their knowledge, expertise and abilities.
• At eLearning Africa 2010, 1778 education and training practitioners, experts, researchers, newcomers and providers from 78 countries gathered during the three conference days at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. 86% of the participants came from African countries. The conference programme featured the work of 323 speakers and chairpersons from 51 countries, addressing all forms of technology-enhanced learning and including a rich mix of themes, topics and a variety of session formats.
• Delegates are high-level policy and decision makers and practitioners from education, business and government – the three key areas driving eLearning adoption and innovation.
• The conference is held in English and French. It includes plenary sessions with world-class experts, smaller presentation and special focus sessions, practical demonstrations and debates on specific topics, as well as various informal networking opportunities where practitioners share their experiences, ideas, new information and perspectives.
• An exhibition and demonstration area accompanies the programme, where leading international eLearning manufacturers, suppliers and service providers present their latest products and services. Participants evaluated the exhibition as a critical meeting point for professional interaction within the conference.
• A full-day programme of workshops conducted by leading eLearning practitioners precedes the event. These small, intensive sessions offer attendees a unique opportunity to fine-tune their skills and acquire new ones.
• A number of special events take place alongside the conference, such as product launches, special interest group get-togethers, sponsored workshops, best practice showcases and meetings.