Adaptive Learning in Senegal: Improving the Use of ICT Tools in Education

Lecture Pour Tous (LPT) is a technical assistance program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Senegal and implemented by Chemonics International. The initiative directly supports national reforms led by the Ministry of Education (Ministère de l’Education Nationale (MEN) to improve early grade literacy. As part of the LPT program, Chemonics is 1) providing SIM cards to teachers and directors to allow free calling and messaging between SIM card recipients and 2) sending text messages to teachers and directors about pedagogical and evaluation techniques as well as motivation and encouragement. The piloting of the free calling and texting facilities (called the VPN) and the push text messaging system presented a unique opportunity to use the CLA approach prior to a full roll-out of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities. USAID/Senegal approached the Rapid Feedback Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (RF MERL) Consortium to use a CLA approach to better understand the challenges teachers and directors face when using the ICT tools. Over a two-week trip to Senegal, the RF MERL Consortium along with senior M&E staff from Chemonics visited six schools in Matam and Kaolack (the regions where Chemonics is piloting the ICT activities) and interviewed 6 directors and 12 teachers. Chemonics has begun to adjust their program activities based on the learnings from local stakeholders interviews. The CLA approach has provided 1) strong technical evidence for decision making on scaling up activities, 2) an opportunity for LPT and USAID/Senegal to pause and reflect, and 3) findings delivered in a timely manner to allow for program course correction.