Nokia gets educational with M4Girls pilot project.
Rating: Its not all about rock n roll and flirting you know!
In a bold move to turn handsets into a more educational tool Nokia have teamed up with the not for profit organisation Mindset Network and the South African Government’s Department of Education in order to trial a pilot project based around the Nokia 6300 handsets. Called M4Girls the handsets come loaded with educational material designed to “help improve the mathematics performance of Grade 10 girl learners.”
Reportedly, the initiative will be piloted in two South African schools, and students lucky enough to take advantage will have access to educational games and other material created to meet the needs of the national curriculum according to Engadget Mobile.
In a Nokia press release they expand on their aims. “This project demonstrates the potential of mobile phones to enable social development and improve education especially in underprivileged areas, ” says Micheline Ntiru, Head of Nokia’s Community Involvement Programs in the Middle East and Africa. “Young people are increasingly using their phones to gain knowledge via the internet, social networking and interaction with their peers, so it makes sense to introduce learning through these devices. By combining Nokia handsets with innovative content, and the enthusiasm of the teachers and pupils this scheme creates an opportunity to really help create new skills and opportunities.”
We say: V cool, we hope the trial is well received and this gets rolled out worldwide. It’s about time mobile devices were used for more than just fun and business.
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Re: “It’s about time mobile devices were used for more than just fun and business.”
I couldn’t agree more, and I really like the social development aspect to this project.
But you’re probably aware that there is a fair amount of work/research being done in the Mobile Learning field. It hasn’t got huge traction yet, but that is changing quickly. A lot of people in education are very serious about using handheld technology for all sorts of formal and informal learning. Contact me if you want to find out more.
Wolf.
Hi Wolf
I agree, yes there is..it’s just like you say, it’s just not receiving enough coverage yet, I hope us folks can help spread the word, and I will contact you and we can have a chat..best Rob
I love to see that Nokia is using its devices for educational purposes. I just wish the pilot programs were more regional, but I guess you must start somewhere.
I agree Darla..lets hassle them!!! lol
I remember being invited by the Head of Mobile Learning at Nokia to Helsinki, way back in 2003. Turned out she was the Head of a department of two or three people! I hope there are more resources for this sort of development these days…
I would hope so too Wolf..I was a external producer who managed localisation for an Irish Interactive company back in the late 90’s. We used to re-voice products and I have to say the production values were high. I hope the mobile sector makes sure the production values applied for the education section are better than some of values seen in game design for mobile gaming.