Literacy is a basic human right, and education is for all. Whether it is developed or developing countries in other continents, such as African nations, all governments are focusing on education as it opens the door to growth for their citizens.
Compared to the past decade, African countries, such as Southern Africa (80%), North Africa (71%), and East Africa (over 71%), are rapidly progressing with their literacy rates. The key roadblocks to the African education system are poverty, lack of jobs, and blind beliefs.
But things are changing, and digital literacy is playing a key role. Now, most African countries are leveraging eLearning to improve their education system.
eLearning helps students access the information and knowledge required for a better future. There are multiple benefits of using eLearning in African countries, and if you want to know about them, you have landed at the right place.
Here, we have created this article to share valuable information about the benefits and importance of digital learning in Africa.
Let’s continue with this blog!
Still, in some parts of Africa, access to the internet is minimal, so the idea of incorporating eLearning in education practices sounds weird, but awareness is rapidly increasing.
Before we read this blog further, here are some key stats you must know about literacy in Africa.
The statistics mentioned above portray a picture of literacy in Africa that gives a generalized idea. Due to the involvement of technology worldwide, Africa is still occupied.
The technology is helping to reshape Africa’s future, where e-learning is one of the best use cases.
The Middle East and African LMS (learning management system) market is expected to cross $6430 million by 2030 at a CAGR (2021–2030) of 18.06%. It indicates the ample scope of eLearning growth to bridge the gap between education and opportunities.
The percentage of internet users in Africa is growing in good numbers, laying the perfect foundation for online learning. eLearning is open to all as it has no boundaries, and with an internet-enabled device, anyone can access it anytime.
Most of the progressive African nations are working towards better communication, technology, and internet efficiency that will facilitate African students for better education through online education.
So, here is a list of all the benefits of online learning for African countries.
The biggest advantage of eLearning in Africa and other countries is that it is available to all, as there is no foundation of any social and financial status.
There are no geographical barriers; a student from remote parts of Africa can access the eLearning content provided by their instructor from any part of the world. It is a boon for students or working professionals facing challenges in traditional classrooms.
Imparting education with eLearning is cost-effective, especially for Africa, where the economy could be stronger than other parts of the world.
In terms of cost, it is beneficial for students and educational institutes, as traditional education requires more costs, such as classroom space, furniture, books, and other costs.
The entire eLearning process is based online, making it affordable and environment-friendly.
One of the biggest advantages of eLearning is flexibility. The students can learn and gain knowledge at their own pace. Whether a person is a student or a working professional, eLearning software supports them in multiple ways.
They can attend live classes online and access multimedia or text-based content anytime or whenever they need it. It can be done multiple times until they master the concept. There is no place or time limit associated with it.
The job opportunities in the African nation are low, although things are going fine but slowly. Here, eLearning has the potential to change the whole scenario.
From basic education to professional courses, or from gaining one skill to mastering others, learning management systems helps a lot.
Everyone has different learning habits and styles, but there is no issue with eLearning platforms.
Usually, there are four key styles of learning:
Using an eLearning app, the users can learn accordingly.
As per the current scenario, where the world is rapidly evolving, lifelong learning is required to survive in a competitive environment.
eLearning in African countries emphasizes lifelong learning and nurturing of young brains for their bright future. The students can learn and acquire knowledge with ultimate flexibility.
eLearning platforms also collect students’ data, which can be a goldmine for teachers or institutes in Africa. They can use this data to analyze the loopholes and make the perfect strategy to cover the teaching-learning gap.
Educators can consistently deliver education to large student groups by making extra arrangements. On the other hand, there is no limitation on the number of students.
Multiple students can attend online classes using the eLearning platform for multiple courses or courses of their choice.
Although eLearning has multiple advantages for improving the digital literacy rate in Africa, it is not as challenging as we thought. There are certain challenges associated with using eLearning in African countries. These are:
One of the biggest challenges to the development of e-learning platforms in Africa is limited internet access and connectivity. Countries like Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Guinea, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and South Sudan have the worst internet availability.
However, other countries like Kenya, South Africa, and others have better connectivity, making them perfect for eLearning app development for online education.
The African continent is divided into multiple local cultures and languages, which makes it a roadblock to eLearning. Most countries depend on textbooks published in the US, UK, or French. So, for practicing eLearning in the education system, content must be based on local languages and dialects.
Slow internet speed is a potential challenge for African countries regarding their eLearning needs. An eLearning platform requires good internet speed to run and ensure seamless user access.
Still, in some parts of Africa, users are still using 3G connections, whereas some countries have switched to the 5G network already. So, if you plan to develop an eLearning platform in Africa, remember.
The teachers in Africa are trained with limitations and limited resources, so it can be tough for them to adopt new teaching methods, such as online teaching.
There is a requirement for good training before including online teaching and learning practices in the African education system. However, the new generation of teachers is aware of it and is leveraging eLearning apps and resources to train their students.
The economic condition is also a barrier in some places in Africa. Schools, colleges, and universities need an appropriate infrastructure to conduct online education, and students are also facing resource issues due to their financial condition. That needs to be addressed immediately.
A ray of hope always exists. Some African countries have progressed well in eLearning, such as South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya.
These are the best examples of African countries adopting eLearning in their education system. However, African students are upskilling and learning via global platforms such as Andela, Udemy, Khan Academy, and others.
But if we talk about the top five eLearning platforms in Africa, here are these:
It is one of the leading eLearning platforms that helps high-school students prepare for baccalaureate exams and helps them get admission into universities in Togo and the Francophone Coast of Africa.
Atingi Learning is one of the top eLearning platforms in Africa that focuses on providing localized learning opportunities to bridge the gap between employment and skills.
It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
It is an e-learning platform known as a corporate eLearning platform made by Africa’s top professionals and entrepreneurs. It offers multiple micro-courses, including annual and semiannual plans, which African professionals can use to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
It is an African eLearning platform designed for students interested in coding and upskilling their programming knowledge. It also conducts boot camps to prepare the new generation for transforming their lives as learned professionals.
The Ubongo belongs to the Tanzanian Social Enterprise, which offers the best eLearning environment to African students. It aims to inspire kids and youths for lifelong learning via digital mediums.
The African education systems have changed over the past years, leveraging eLearning platforms like OkpaBac, Atingi Learning, Samaskull, Moringa School, and others to improve literacy rates.
Although there are certain barriers, some advantages also exist, such as cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and access to unlimited knowledge, and others promise a redefined educational landscape.
Here, an African nation or an educational institute can leverage eLearning development for the betterment of African youths and kids. The future of digital learning is bright in Africa; only there is a need for appropriate efforts in the right direction.
This article ends here, and we have tried to reveal all the benefits to all readers. Still, as a custom eLearning software development company– Arka Softwares is here to assist you with all your queries, and it will be our pleasure to guide you from end to end to have the right solution at the right time.
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