Emerging Technology for Emerging Peoples: Evaluation of an African AIDS-Awareness Training System

Abstract

Technology is playing a part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Edu-Touch is a multi-media HIV/AIDS-awareness and health-care training system designed for indigenous people and operated by touch-technology. This paper records an educational usability evaluation of Edu-Touch based on triangulated methods: surveys in the workplace and, in particular, a heuristic evaluation investigating conformance to contemporary learning theory, using as an approach the Hexa-C Metamodel of learning and instructional theory. We note issues regarding computing technology in the training of formerly disadvantaged African learners. The findings serve as a precedent in the design and construction of culturally-sensitive training systems for emerging peoples.