Macha Works Zambia

eLearning has the potential to bridge the educational gaps that exist in society and improve the lives of millions of people in the developing world who do not enjoy the same opportunities as those in rich, developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to outline the benefits and challenges associated with implementing eLearning in rural communities, specifically from the point of view of the Macha village community in Zambia. A model for implementing eLearning in rural areas is presented. This model includes four key components– pedagogy, technology, applications, and benchmarking/continuous monitoring. As a result of the research presented in this paper, it is recommended that teachers ‘drive’ the implementation of eLearning, supported by technical specialists to enhance the learning process within the context of the syllabus. It is also essential that local people are empowered to lead in this process so that ownership is inculcated within the community, ultimately improving the educational outcomes for students.