There is nothing better than having students do research on subjects of personal interest with relevance to the online course I’m “teaching” (facilitating). Here is a great example of a student-selected resource for the topic of cell phones in mobile learning applicable to learners with limited connectivity and financial support. Over the years, there as been considerable interesting in provide literacy education to under-served populations, especially to young learners who have a lifetime to make a difference.
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) received a lot of interest (and funding) in its time. However, wide-spread adoption was just too difficult. Cell phone service and cheap devices came along and provided a viable alternative. Although there has been much progress in this area, still more needs to be done.
The eruption of Language Learning Models (LLMs), especially ChatGPT have taken then the world by storm. Although there has been considerable controversy about ethics, control and accuracy about the data sources and responses, there is lots to explore and engage in basic literacy learning support to these previously under-served millions of kids.
Cell-Ed is a great example of the possible. Watch this space – more coming soon…
Cell-Ed: innovative education through cell phones, United States of America
Date published: 4 April 2018
“… Roughly 40 per cent of adult immigrants in the USA lack basic English literacy skills, and 48 per cent lack basic numeracy in English (Batalova and Fix, 2015). Beyond immigrant populations, the problem of low literacy and numeracy skills is also prevalent among American citizens. Statistics from the OECD’s Survey of Adult Skills show that, out of 23 countries, the USA ranks 16th in literacy proficiency, 21st in numeracy proficiency, and 14th in problem solving in technology-rich environments (OECD, 2016). Indeed, a huge number of adults in the USA lack functional literacy and other basic skills necessary for day-to-day activities, such as filling out job applications or deciphering public transport timetables. Low literacy and numeracy not only deprive an individual of his or her opportunities for a better life, but also hinder the social and economic development of society as a whole.”
Good news. CELL-ED, the company behind this initiative is still alive and well, and living in Palo Alto, CA.
From the Cell-Ed website … Cell-Ed tackles one of the world’s most intractable problems: teaching people the essential skills they need to thrive. Skills such as reading a child’s homework, searching the internet, communicating with confidence, managing time, and navigating health care. One in three people do not have these skills preventing pathways to better life, work, and health for all. Our science-based, radically accessible learning is proven to teach essential skills more effectively and in a fraction of time by delivering engaging micro-lessons, coaching, and certificates over messaging and audio across any mobile device.
Offered by partner organizations worldwide, Cell-Ed Solutions provide mobile-first pathways for people to acquire essential skills quickly and easily – especially in resource constrained environments. Learners simply listen to lessons across any device – even a basic phone with no internet connection or costly data plan needed. They text to demonstrate understanding of the lesson and can talk and text with Cell-Ed multilingual coaches, synchronously and asynchronously, to meet goals, earn certificates, and to access the information they need to succeed.
Launched in 2014, Cell-Ed is a global social enterprise. Through 1000+ partners in education, workforce, and health, Cell-Ed has reached over a million people in 54 countries and certified nearly 200,000 learners. We aim to reach millions more. www.cell-ed.com
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