Open Learning Platform for Primary Education

What are we doing?

Leading institutions from Ghana, including the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, have joined forces. Their goal? To enhance the role and impact of technology within primary education.

Introducing the Open Learning Platform for Primary Education (OLPPE): a project dedicated to creating and implementing open e-content, while also establishing methods for seamless curriculum integration. This is all in the aim to elevate learning experiences for primary school students. For the pilot phase, the focus is on one of the cornerstone subjects of education – mathematics, specifically within lower primary education in Ghana.

Who is backing us?

We’re proud to be backed by Connecting the E-Tech Research Eco-System (CERES) and the Jacobs Foundation.

Who are we?

Steering this initiative is a team comprising four senior researchers – Prof. Richard Boateng, Dr Sheena Lovia Boateng, Dr Joseph Budu and Dr John Serbe-Marfo –  and two distinguished CERES scholars – Obed Kwame Adzaku Penu and Pasty Asamoah.

Why does it matter?

This study seeks to co-design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an open-access e-content for the integration into primary school curricula, focusing specifically on the subject of Mathematics in Ghana.

Recent data has highlighted the subpar performance of students in Mathematics from basic to senior high levels (Binandam, 2017; Sarfo et al., 2014). Several reasons attributed to this concerning trend include: (i) Incomplete coverage of the mathematics curriculum, (ii) A general lack of interest in the subject, and (iii) A prevailing belief among students that they cannot grasp mathematical concepts.

It is hypothesized that by introducing open and interactive e-content tailored for grades one to three, we can potentially bolster the foundational knowledge and skills of children. This could further cultivate their interest and understanding in mathematics.

What do we seek to achieve?

To achieve the overarching goal, the study outlines the following specific objectives:

1. In collaboration with primary school teachers, assess the current status and disparities related to:

   • The use of digital technologies in children’s learning in primary schools in Ghana.
   • The accessibility and utilization of digital technologies in teaching grades 1 to 3.
   • The challenges faced in teaching and learning mathematics in grades 1 to 3.
   • The existing opportunities and readiness for the incorporation of digital technologies in teaching grades 1 to 3.

2. In partnership with primary school teachers:

   • Co-develop open e-content tailored for the primary school mathematics curriculum.
   • Identify and implement measures for the integration of this e-content into the curriculum.
   • Strengthen teacher capacities for effective utilization of the designed e-content.

What is the benefit?

The implications of this study extend beyond the immediate improvement in Mathematics performances at the primary level. It offers:

1. Educational Enhancement: By addressing the foundational challenges students face in mathematics, we pave the way for stronger academic performances in subsequent education levels.
2. Digital Integration: The study aims to bridge the digital divide in Ghanaian primary schools, making education more interactive, engaging, and accessible.
3. Teacher Empowerment: By equipping teachers with the skills to use and integrate e-content, we promote a modernized teaching approach, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in an increasingly digital world.
4. Policy Influence: Successful outcomes could inspire policy changes in favor of digital content integration across subjects and educational levels in Ghana.

In conclusion, by addressing the root challenges in primary level mathematics education and incorporating modern digital tools, this research aims to usher in an era of enhanced learning, improved teacher capacities, and possibly, policy changes that could redefine the educational landscape in Ghana.