Powering conservation
education
Frequently asked questions
We have compiled this selection of frequently asked questions - but please get in touch if you have more!
Click on each question to reveal the answer, click again to hide.
Who / what brought about the idea of iLearnabout?
This all started because of a personal passion for wildlife conservation. The chair of the iAfrica Foundation, a UK charity that promotes technology to improve educational outcomes in Africa, also supports several innovative and entrepreneurial companies delivering social improvements in Africa, including Mwabu - a leading ed-tech organisation. He understands the benefits and challenges of digital education and how it could potentially be better utilised in the conservation field. He observed that multiple conservation bodies are exploring or funding the development of digital extra-curricular educational content but there is, generally, a lack of co-ordination between those bodies and, consequently, conservationists are not always making - through no fault of their own - the best use of scarce financial resources.
What content already exists?
Initial research confirmed that, whilst many NGOs and organisations produce education materials on conservation, it is often focused on their own area of expertise or region and mostly in print format.
Mwabu develops bespoke conservation content for NGOs in Zambia. These projects created awareness of the wide-spread desire for digital conservation content, highlighting the opportunity to better utilise scarce funding by doing this properly, at scale.
Early research confirmed a compelling case for iLearnabout. There is no comprehensive, freely available, generic programme of e-learning conservation materials aimed at school children in SSA.
What will make iLearnabout different from other conservation content?
The intention is to provide a complete package of well-designed digital conservation content that helps trained and untrained teachers deliver relevant educational content to pupils in conservation areas. It will be developed with input from experienced teachers and software designers to provide a sound foundation for more specific conservation training later in a pupil’s educational journey.
The content will be free and hosted on a universally-accessible platform. The intention is build a large, sustainable and enduring user base that helps keep iLearnabout current and relevant to all users in many countries over many years.
What content will be available in iLearnabout?
The intention is to provide a complete package of well-designed digital conservation content that helps trained and untrained teachers deliver relevant educational content to pupils in conservation areas. It will be developed with input from experienced teachers and software designers to provide a sound foundation for more specific conservation training later in a pupil’s educational journey. The content will be free and hosted on a universally-accessible platform. The intention is to build a large, sustainable and enduring user base that helps keep iLearnabout current and relevant to all users in many countries over many years.
Will iLearnabout replace traditional curricula?
No. Education authorities will require that all schools/clubs deliver their specified educational programmes. iLearnabout is specifically designed to complement, not replace, existing curricula. It will seek to fill the many conservation-related gaps that exist in standard curricula and will be taught out-of-school in the many existing after-school clubs. Our longer-term intention is to create a community of iLearnabout conservation clubs.
Who has been consulted to date?
Conversations have been held with education organisations and NGOs and leaders in the conservation sector in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa. Consultations and research have indicated that there is substantial support for the development of conservation e-learning materials.
Demonstration materials have been developed and shared with key partners and teachers. The feedback has been unanimously positive and reinforced the need for the content.
These include the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, African Network for Animal Welfare, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia, Elsa Conservation Trust, Conservation Kenya, WiLearn and more.
In 2022 a pilot study was developed in the form of a digital topic pack on Biodiversity and piloted with 3 organisations in Kenya looking at several variables, such as rural vs urban environments, availability of connectivity and hardware resources. Pilot numbers: 20 schools working with 569 students and 29 teachers.
The pilot was monitored through and post pilot student testing, teacher feedback in-depth conversations with the conservation organisations who facilitated the study.
Pilot feedback was responded to and further refinements were made to the iLearnabout content design and to the processes for teacher/organisation support.
Demonstration materials have been developed and shared with key partners and teachers. The feedback has been unanimously positive and reinforced the need for the content.
These include the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, African Network for Animal Welfare, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia, Elsa Conservation Trust, Conservation Kenya, WiLearn and more.
In 2022 a pilot study was developed in the form of a digital topic pack on Biodiversity and piloted with 3 organisations in Kenya looking at several variables, such as rural vs urban environments, availability of connectivity and hardware resources. Pilot numbers: 20 schools working with 569 students and 29 teachers.
The pilot was monitored through and post pilot student testing, teacher feedback in-depth conversations with the conservation organisations who facilitated the study.
Pilot feedback was responded to and further refinements were made to the iLearnabout content design and to the processes for teacher/organisation support.
What are the main aspects of the feedback?
Consistently positive feedback has been received from all individuals and organisations engaged thus far, and all want to use the materials in their settings.
‘For the learners these learning modules have been well thought out. I particularly like the use of videos and photos. These will capture the learners’ attention (and imagination) throughout the lesson. The challenge packs ensure that the learners put in practice what they have learnt. These skills will be with them even when they are through with school and will easily remember and apply them in their adult life.’ - Dr. Margaret Otieno, National Coordinator/CEO, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya
‘The goal of awareness and knowledge development is action to ensure natural resource conservation. The challenge is that final piece of the puzzle that enable the learners to act on the acquired knowledge. It will also serve as a way of keeping the learners actively participating.’ – Patrick Shawa, National Coordinator, Wildlife Education Conservation Society Zambia
‘I think the greatest strength of these formats is the ability to illustrate key concepts, making it much easier for students to visualise the topic. This is particularly important in Government classroom settings where they have very few, if any, visual aids.’ – Corey Jeal, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, Zambia
Following the pilot study, feedback was unanimously positive; some areas were tweaked in line with comments and taken forward. Main findings were:Improvement in student knowledge of conservation concepts. Improvement in teachers’ own knowledge and breadth of understanding. Increased motivation and engagement of students and teachers due to the interactive, digital materials. Effectiveness of the materials as a learning tool due to their appropriateness to the students’ needs, curriculum and age group. Ease of use and relevance of the materials means teachers will be able to continue using iLearnabout beyond the piloting situation. Keenness to use more iLearnabout materials as soon as possible in both the wildlife club setting and in school lessons. Uptake of practical conservation projects showing that iLearnabout’s impact goes beyond learning to active engagement in ‘real-life’, practical conservation projects. View the full pilot report: click here
‘For the learners these learning modules have been well thought out. I particularly like the use of videos and photos. These will capture the learners’ attention (and imagination) throughout the lesson. The challenge packs ensure that the learners put in practice what they have learnt. These skills will be with them even when they are through with school and will easily remember and apply them in their adult life.’ - Dr. Margaret Otieno, National Coordinator/CEO, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya
‘The goal of awareness and knowledge development is action to ensure natural resource conservation. The challenge is that final piece of the puzzle that enable the learners to act on the acquired knowledge. It will also serve as a way of keeping the learners actively participating.’ – Patrick Shawa, National Coordinator, Wildlife Education Conservation Society Zambia
‘I think the greatest strength of these formats is the ability to illustrate key concepts, making it much easier for students to visualise the topic. This is particularly important in Government classroom settings where they have very few, if any, visual aids.’ – Corey Jeal, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, Zambia
Following the pilot study, feedback was unanimously positive; some areas were tweaked in line with comments and taken forward. Main findings were:Improvement in student knowledge of conservation concepts. Improvement in teachers’ own knowledge and breadth of understanding. Increased motivation and engagement of students and teachers due to the interactive, digital materials. Effectiveness of the materials as a learning tool due to their appropriateness to the students’ needs, curriculum and age group. Ease of use and relevance of the materials means teachers will be able to continue using iLearnabout beyond the piloting situation. Keenness to use more iLearnabout materials as soon as possible in both the wildlife club setting and in school lessons. Uptake of practical conservation projects showing that iLearnabout’s impact goes beyond learning to active engagement in ‘real-life’, practical conservation projects. View the full pilot report: click here
What about location-specific content?
The intention is for iLearnabout to be structured in such a way that additional content can be developed at a later stage to address specific local needs. Such content will have to be funded separately but it is intended that it will, as always, be freely available to all users.
What are the benefits of digital content vs traditional books?
Digital content, once developed and rolled-out, is quicker and cheaper to update, allows data analytics for more informed feedback, is more engaging for users and can much more easily be scaled. It also is more likely to improve learning outcomes and attendance.
Will you specifically develop literacy and numeracy content?
Not directly. The content is designed to reinforce existing teaching priorities. It will provide exciting and fun facts and practical projects that encourage reading, spelling and counting within the conservation topics. e.g. counting seeds, animals and so on.
Will the content be expensive for organisations to develop and use?
No. The intention is that the project team works with existing conservation organisations but they are not expected to directly fund the development of the content. Once it is completed the content will be freely available as open-source software.
Will the content be available offline?
Yes. The content will be accessible online, downloadable and printable so will be suitable for offline use on projectors, tablets and mobile phones. It can be shown to learners via tablets or projected onto a screen for whole groups to see.
What about internet connectivity and electricity supplies?
All resources will be downloadable for use offline. Solar charged tablets and power banks for projectors can be used to show the materials.
Will children be sitting in front of a screen all the time?
No. The learning modules can be used for short periods and stopped and started according to the time available. This leaves time for activities and games. An important element in each topic is choosing and carrying out a ‘challenge’ – a substantial practical project which children may return to over several weeks.
What age is this material designed for?
Primary children are the main focus, particularly upper primary grades, along with lower secondary grades in some regions. Organisations may find the material useful in other contexts too.
Why this age group?
Our aim is to help maintain attendance by providing ‘missing’ knowledge of key conservation topics to this highly receptive and retentive age group. After-school clubs attract a wide age group which can vary by region. The younger generation are also key to the future protection of the environment around them and will become decision makers on key environmental issues such as climate change. The aim is to build a generation of environmental ambassadors with the tools to ensure sustainability.
What about gender balance?
Resources are gender-balanced. Female and male narrators take turns to lead learning modules and real-life ‘Conservation champions’ of both sexes will be featured to inspire children.
What languages will be used?
The initial content will be developed in English only.
What stage are you at the moment?
Feedback from initial demonstration materials was used to inform the design and layout of materials.
More digital topic packs are being developed using the information gained from piloting. Prior to the development of each new topic, input is sought on specific content from relevant environmental education providers. Topics available include Climate Change, Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation, Soil, Forests, and Water and Livelihoods. Humans and Wildlife coming soon.
Organisations have begun rolling out iLearnabout as part of their extracurricular activity in schools in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. We are looking at further rollout in other regions. Through global platforms such as Critical Links and Internet-in-a-Box access can be gained by hundreds of thousands of users.
Marketing and fundraising activities continue for outreach, support, and advocacy.
More digital topic packs are being developed using the information gained from piloting. Prior to the development of each new topic, input is sought on specific content from relevant environmental education providers. Topics available include Climate Change, Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation, Soil, Forests, and Water and Livelihoods. Humans and Wildlife coming soon.
Organisations have begun rolling out iLearnabout as part of their extracurricular activity in schools in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. We are looking at further rollout in other regions. Through global platforms such as Critical Links and Internet-in-a-Box access can be gained by hundreds of thousands of users.
Marketing and fundraising activities continue for outreach, support, and advocacy.
What are the timescales?
The modules will be implemented straight away by partners and any organisation that wants to use them. Roll out will be in line with further funding.
What will the reach be?
Organisations and schools are adding iLearnabout to their programmes on a continual basis. As of April 2024 our reach is over 30,000 students.
Ultimately, iLearnabout’s aim is to cover all countries and their conservation clubs in Sub-Saharan Africa!
Ultimately, iLearnabout’s aim is to cover all countries and their conservation clubs in Sub-Saharan Africa!
What monitoring and evaluation will be performed?
Evaluation will include online or offline pre and post topic testing to ascertain knowledge gained, feedback from learners, teachers and organisations and systematic data collection on active projects carried out by clubs as a direct response to the project guides included in the resources. We are receptive to the idea of developing strong monitoring and evaluation partnerships with suitable organisations.
How will iLearnabout be funded?
Donor funding has covered the development of materials and infrastructure to date. The iLearnabout team will seek further phased funding for the pilot and roll outs via philanthropy, trusts, grants and corporates.
Has COVID -19 affected the project?
Yes, but paradoxically in a positive way.
The impact of COVID-19 has escalated the need, use and familiarity of digital learning and distance teaching methods. This, along with the increased awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, makes the introduction of these critical lessons even more vital and timely.
What skills exist in the iLearnabout team?
The iLearnabout team has a wide range of experience and depth of knowledge in education, partnerships, marketing and fundraising. Our partners work with us to ensure that the content is fit-for-purpose and meets the expectations of users and donors. The team is based in the UK and Zambia and we also have close relationships with partners in Kenya and SA.
How will the project be governed?
The project is governed by the iAfrica Foundation, registered UK charity no. 1163634. The charity is registered under Section 501(c)(3) to received donations in the USA via a US partner, Empowers Africa.
Why use Mwabu?
Mwabu has generously freely-donated its services, resources and experience to get the iLearnabout idea off the ground, to the point where it is now a credible project. Mwabu has unique operational experience of delivering Africa-centric digital content into very challenging rural environments where existing infrastructure is minimal.
How will the potential conflict of interest between Mwabu and iAfrica Foundation be managed?
The Chair of the iAfrica Foundation (iAF) is also the CEO of Mwabu; it is this common thread that has enabled the progress to date. Mwabu has given its time for free and the iAF consultants have all been paid for via private donations, to the benefit of the project.
The project will be overseen by independent Trustees on the Board of the iAF and by having independent advisers working on the project, thereby ensuring proper non-discriminatory oversight of the decision-making processes. Should the iAF trustees decide to use Mwabu to develop the main platform and content then Mwabu will provide the service on a not-for-profit basis, with independent oversight from the Trustees.
The project will be overseen by independent Trustees on the Board of the iAF and by having independent advisers working on the project, thereby ensuring proper non-discriminatory oversight of the decision-making processes. Should the iAF trustees decide to use Mwabu to develop the main platform and content then Mwabu will provide the service on a not-for-profit basis, with independent oversight from the Trustees.
How will the project be sustained?
iAfrica Foundation has a good track record of working in the digital education sector in Africa along with securing funding and retaining donors. There will be minimal funds required once the project has begun implementation as the initial costs will be in the start-up, therefore, ongoing maintenance and training will require less.
iLearnabout will work to secure long term funding for the project along with the possibility of renewal each year, in order to ensure sustainability of the project.
What is the budget?
The short- and long-term budget for the project represents excellent value for money.
Initial development of the project up to now has been funded. To cover all areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, inclusive of both development of the resource and implementation will be under $1m.
Initial development of the project up to now has been funded. To cover all areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, inclusive of both development of the resource and implementation will be under $1m.