IS Research Seminar (23 April 2008): Steve Vosloo

NOTICE OF RESEARCH SEMINAR
No: 2008.3

Date: Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Time: 12h30-14h00
Venue: Leslie Commerce, Upper Campus, Room 6.14
Speaker: Mr Steve Vosloo

Topic: Digital storytelling for Africa: Case Study of an International Digital Media Project

SPEAKER:

Steve Vosloo is a project leader and researcher in the field of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). He has a technology background, with 10 years’ of experience in the South African and UK web industry. He has consulted for many sectors, including telecommunications, non-profit and government. Mr Vosloo is currently the Communication and Analytical Skills Fellow at the Shuttleworth Foundation in Cape Town. The role involves researching and promoting the importance of those skills amongst school learners in South Africa, using technology where appropriate.

Mr Vosloo holds an Honours degree in Information Systems (IS) from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He is currently awaiting results to obtain a Masters degree in IS, also from UCT. In 2007 he completed a one-year research fellowship at Stanford University.

ABSTRACT

The Digital Hero Book Project (DHBP) was a one-year pilot project, researched and developed at Stanford University, which involved the creation and sharing of personal, positive stories by school learners from around the world. The stories focused on learners' strengths and “hero” qualities, following a proven psychosocial support approach called hero booking. By combining digital storytelling with online group collaboration, the project sought to develop literacy, 21st-century digital media skills and cross-cultural awareness.

Learners from three schools in Cape Town, one in San Franciso and one in Nyeri, Kenya, created paper-based hero books, turned these into digital stories and participated in online forum discussions. By externalising their emotions and speaking about their goals in life, the learners, who come from troubled neighbourhoods, developed resilience to life's challenges. The process helped educators to better understand their learners needs and life situations. This increased understanding and empathy is important for educator-learner relationships, and therefore teaching/learning practice, on a continent affected by AIDS, poverty and violence. Learning digital media production proved extremely engaging for the learners.

Steve Vosloo led the project. He will present the results of both internal and independent (non-academic) evaluations of the project, including the lessons learned, challenges and technology choices made regarding digital storytelling and online collaborative platforms. As youth in the developed world are increasingly digitally enabled through always-online computers, mobile phones, digital cameras and online social network tools, the DHBP provided valuable insights into the benefits and potential of digital media production in Africa, a continent with a rich tradition of storytelling.

A finger lunch and refreshments will be provided. To RSVP and for further information on the seminar please call 650 4242 or email: linda.magodla@uct.ac.za