Mobile learning bridging the gap in agricultural extension service delivery: Experiences from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology
Abstract
The ubiquitous nature of mobile phones offers a noble environment where farmers can learn
informally anywhere, anytime and at any location. This is an innovative way to address some of the
weakness of conventional agricultural extension service. Few empirical studies have reported on
the development of mobile phone application to support blended learning for smallholder farming
communities in developing countries. This study adopted a participatory action research method to
develop innovative communication pathways in dissemination of agricultural information, agricultural
knowledge and proven agricultural technologies from either extension agents or agricultural
research centres or universities to farmers. The respondents who tested the system were selected
random from 19 villages in Kilosa District, Tanzania. The developed systems support blended
learning using mobile learning (m-learning) and electronic learning (e-learning). The findings from
this study show that the systems can provide innovative mobile agricultural extension service to
more than 380 smallholder farmers via web- and mobile-phone-based farmers’ advisory information
systems.
Description
International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology
(IJEDICT), 2016, Vol. 12, Issue 3, pp. 108-127.
Keywords
Blended Learning, Mobile Applications, Mobile Learning, Electronic Learning, Smallholder Farmers, Web, Farmer's Advisory Information System