Abstract
Identifying Kenyan Language Diversity with GIS
Track: Educational Research and Teacher Education
Author
The presentation will illustrate a preliminary investigation expanding the Kenyan Ministry of Education geodatabase. Initially, faculty at the University of Nairobi used GIS to standardize the national education system by creating a database, storing and analyzing information pertaining to school locations across the country. The Attribute Table created included data such as school population, number of teachers, and a photograph. Although English is the primary language of instruction, with up to 60 different languages represented in Kenya, this project emphasized how linguistic diversity affects student learning and teaching methodology. Since schools illustrate a community’s diversity and educational goals standardized across the country, research was done illustrating linguistic divergence. Language variance within a given community was illustrated by adding data such as the names and number of languages spoken at a particular school. By knowing this, teachers can improve teaching methodology and students can reach their full learning potential.
Karlsten YAGO
Chapman University
317 South Corner Street
Anaheim, California 92804
United States
Phone: 714-290-8973
E-mail: yago100@mail.chapman.edu