So, What Else Is Going on?

I am writing this today's second blog entry here in Peter Palm hotel in Dodoma. The reason, why I am at the hotel instead of being at CBE training the teachers, is that there seemed to be some miscommunication or lack of communication at CBE in Dodoma. Teachers that we are training said that they were unaware of our coming to Dodoma already on Monday. My colleague and I are taking that comment with a grain of salt, but at least we decided that we shall start our last week of training here in Dodoma on tomorrow morning.

This week's training will include topics such as creating web-pages to freeservers, key ethical issues in computing, and a quick peek at mobile learning. With those topics we are finishing the teaching phase of this project. There will be course examinations held in this (Dodoma) and next week (Dar), after which we shall start reporting this project in a form of a conference paper. The examinations will include both theoretical and practical part with an emphasis on material production for internet.

I am also finally finishing my work in the SMILE project. I submitted the second last learning template (about project-based learning) on week before last week and I am now working on the last template due on Wednesday. After submitting the last one I shall wait for the comments from our Greek partners and do the requested changes to the documents. Then I should start compiling all those documents and some additional theory about mobile learning into my Bachelor's thesis, phew..


On early last week Marcus and I visited Iringa and the Tumaini University residing there. Marcus got me involved in the local organizing committee for TEDC workshop, which actually is very interesting. At the same time I got a chance to comment on the development of local Science Park, which is Tumaini University's project. As I did my Master's thesis about things related to Science Park development, this is a great opportunity to apply that knowledge. Nevertheless, time will tell, if my comments and suggestions will change things or not.


While we were in Iringa, we also visited quickly the close-by Ruaha National Park. This time the visit was more that of a business than leisure visit, as we were checking out the lodges for TEDC accommodation. Some of the lodges were just great, I am sure that people will enjoy their visit in them. At least the concept of "going outdoors tenting" will have a radical change, when people see the luxury tents in one of the lodges. :)


P.s. I also managed to do some sports here. Marcus and I took part in the labor-day related festivities at CBE Dodoma campus during our last visit. We played football, drank beer (time competition!), and did some rope-pulling. There was also a chicken race, but we left that for the professionals. :)