Re-centering, Reframing and Owning dialogues: The role of Afrikan academics
Channel: e/merge Africa
Date: 2019-07-08

Full title: Re-centering, Reframing and Owning dialogues: The role of Afrikan Academics in conversations on Emerging Technologies and Creativity in Education

Presenter: Dr Tutaleni Asino – Oklahoma State University, US

This event is in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) at the University of Cape Town. 

There are many terms, concepts and theories used in education today. Terms such as collaboration, community of learners, openness, context and culture, 21st century skills, critical thinking skills, and many more are prevalent in educational conversations. I propose that we take time to dismantle the dichotomous nature of much of this conversation. One is made to believe that there are only two choices, often extreme, from which one can select. Reality however is a system with varied and intertwined options requiring us to address the simple and complex at the same time. We can design physical learning spaces so that students can move flexibly between individual and collaborative learning AND ensure that an online learning environment such as Vula is used effectively to support learning. The commonality in both situations is about a concern for the learning space or learning environment. Afrikan ideals are present in many of the conversations that are currently presented as innovation. In this session, I propose that we take time to (re)center, re)frame and (re)own some of the dominant dialogues as Afrikan academics.