Animated videos as a learning tool in developing nations: A pilot study of three animations in maradi and surrounding areas in niger

Abstract

Access to information and knowledge has always been a challenge for illiterate or low literate learners in developing nations. As a consequence, pedagogical advances, for low literate learners, have lagged behind, as compared to educational strategies for literate or highly literate learners. The technological revolution based on access to Internet and cell-phones has brought new opportunities to one billion low literate learners in the planet. There is evidence that cell-phones are becoming easily available for users in developing nations. "Scientific Animations Without Borders" (SAWBO) creates educational animations that can be watched on cell-phones and other devices and can be transmitted from mobile phone to mobile phone through Bluetooth® technology. In this article we report the results of a short survey conducted by students from Maradi (Niger) with different groups; farmers, teachers in rural areas, informal entrepreneurs and women in which several 3 D animations were showed on mobile phones: cholera prevention, neem seed extract for insects pest control and triple bagging for storage to prevent post harvest looses. The objectives were to find out the perception of usefulness of the content and easiness of the technology used as a mode of transmission of information and knowledge.