Digital Skills

Diji: Empowering African Youth Through Language-Specific Digital Learning

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Diji is an innovative digital learning platform providing short, skills-based courses in African languages. The platform’s primary objective is to empower post-school, unemployed, or under-employed African youth by offering learning opportunities in their native languages. Delivered via mobile browser or chat applications, Diji makes learning accessible and practical.

Diji’s development process was guided by the Successive Approximation Model (SAM), an agile instructional design approach that involves repeated cycles of development and refinement. SAM’s iterative process allowed for a more tailored and efficient development of a learning platform aimed at empowering African youth through accessible content in their native languages.

The Challenge

During SAM’s ‘Preparation Phase’, a needs analysis was conducted to understand the target audience and identify the gap in accessible, skills-based learning resources in African languages. This phase established the groundwork for the platform’s objectives and informed the subsequent design and development stages.

The Solution

The ‘Iterative Design Phase’ of SAM played a critical role in the development of Diji. The feedback from over 8,500 people was vital in shaping the platform through several iterations. The content was designed to be data-conscious and tailored for accessibility on mobile browsers and chat applications. This iterative approach allowed Diji to refine its platform to meet the user’s needs effectively. Additionally, the partnership with Turn.io, who provide access to their messaging platform, exemplified how collaboration during this phase can enhance product development. The platform was piloted with Zulu and expanded to include Xhosa, Swahili, and Yoruba.

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What is Computational Literacy?

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Computational literacy has emerged as a vital skill for individuals from all walks of life. The concept encompasses the practical knowledge of fundamentals, techniques, and strategies to create, understand, and interpret the digital world. Essentially, computational literacy allows individuals to thrive in a technology-driven environment by empowering them to utilise computational thinking in their daily lives and careers.

While many assume computational literacy is limited to computer programming and coding, this skill goes beyond that. It’s about understanding and applying algorithmic thinking, problem-solving techniques, and data representation to various disciplines. From art and design to natural sciences and social sciences, computational literacy equips individuals with the ability to analyse complex problems, design solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness.

Emphasising computational literacy in education and training programs is essential in preparing individuals for the future workforce. As technology continues to evolve at a fast pace, there’s an increasing demand for professionals who are not only skilled in their respective fields but also adept at using technology to enhance their abilities. By fostering computational literacy, we can bridge the gap between technology and human ingenuity, unlocking the endless potential for innovation and progress.

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Enhancing Learning Through Digital Assets: The Digital Study Guide Project

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In an age where information is at our fingertips, traditional learning resources often do not suffice in engaging and educating the modern student. Recognizing the need for blended learning materials, the Digital Study Guide project was launched to develop 24 comprehensive study guides for high school students in South Africa. These study guides integrated print content with digital assets such as videos and auto-marking assessments to create a holistic learning experience.

As the Product Owner, I was tasked with overseeing and guiding the development of these blended study guides. This role entailed collaborating with various stakeholders, including subject matter experts, media production teams, and outsourced suppliers. Additionally, I acquired new skills in developing assessments compatible with Cambridge’s digital assessment engine and played an instrumental role in producing instructional videos that supplemented text content.

Digital Assets Created

  1. Auto-Marking Assessments: Through collaboration with assessment specialists and learning about Cambridge’s digital assessment engine, auto-marking assessments were developed. These assessments saved educators time and provided immediate feedback to students, which is essential for their learning process.
  2. Instructional Videos: Understanding that different students have different learning preferences and that visual content can often clarify complex concepts, a series of instructional videos was developed. These videos were crafted following instructional design principles to ensure they were engaging and educationally effective. They included visual aids, clear explanations, and real-world examples to help students better grasp the content.

Skills in instructional design, assessment design, assessment writing, project management, and budget management were critical to the success of this project. Furthermore, teamwork played a central role, as the project involved collaboration with a diverse group, including subject matter experts, instructional video producers, assessment specialists, and the global digital team.

The Digital Study Guide project showcases the immense potential of blended learning materials in modern education. By integrating innovative digital assets with traditional text content, these study guides provide a richer, more engaging, and more effective learning experience for high school students. This project demonstrates the importance of adapting educational resources to meet the needs and preferences of the contemporary learner.