This study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of four of the seven e-School dimensions to the success of the pilot phase of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) e-School project in Kenya. The study employed survey research methodology. All six of the NEPAD e-Schools in Kenya were included and the teachers and students in those schools formed the study population. Of the 5,186 students and teachers, a representative sample of 1,508 was selected using probabilistic techniques. Data was collected using observations and a survey questionnaire. It was established that all six of the e-Schools had installed the basic computing facilities required for integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning; all the e-Schools were observed to have the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) for Internet access in computer laboratories where a variable number of computers were installed. The ICT infrastructure provided modest communication capabilities. But while teachers received technical (ICT) training, they did not receive training on pedagogies for ICT integration in teaching and learning. We conducted hypothesis testing and confirmed that the four dimensions of E-School Success Model, investigated in the current study, positively contribute towards the success of the e-School. We therefore concluded that ICT infrastructure quality, content and communication quality, training effectiveness and use make considerable contributions to the success of the pilot phase of the NEPAD e-School project in Kenya. We recommend that stakeholders should continue investing in the NEPAD e-School project. Further studies on the impact of the other three dimensions of the e-Schools are recommended.
PurposeThe fourth industrial revolution (4IR) has changed the way people operate. All sectors of the economy have been affected by this technological advancement. However, little is known of how 4IR technologies are used in Africa. This paper aimed to investigate how 4IR technologies can be harnessed to support sustainable development in Africa. The objectives of the study were to: examine the infometric patterns of research production on 4IR technologies for sustainable development in Africa; explore the perception of 4IR technologies and their potential for sustainable development in Africa; investigate the extent to which 4IR technologies have been harnessed to support sustainable development in Africa; determine the factors influencing the use of 4IR technologies for sustainable development in Africa; and identify the strategies which can be used to harness 4IR technologies for sustainable development in Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study applied a mixed methods research approach. Quantitative data was collected through bibliometrics analysis while qualitative data was collected by use of systematic literature review. Data was collected from Google Scholar using Harzing's “Publish or Perish” software and analysed using Microsoft Excel, Notepad, VOSviewer and Atlas.ti and presented using tables, graphs and figures.FindingsThe study retrieved 914 research publications on 4IR and sustainable development in Africa. It emerged that production of research on the subject has increased gradually over the years. The findings reveal that Africa is aware of the potential of 4IR for sustainable development. In fact, it emerged that 4IR technologies are being used to support education, health services, tourism, e-commerce, records integrity and project management. Some of the factors that inhibit the use of 4IR for sustainable development Africa include lack of relevant policies, low skill levels in 4IR technologies, inadequate infrastructure and lack of stakeholder involvement. This study recommends the development of policies in 4IR, capacity building and upgrading of infrastructures. The findings can be used by governments in Africa to harness 4IR technologies for sustainable development.Originality/valueThe research is original in scope and coverage.
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