Smart running in Kenya Kenyan runners´ improvement in training, informal learning and economic opportunities using smartphones

The aim of this research project is to study how mobile technology shapes, changes and develops learning outside the classroom and school environment, so called informal learning. In Kenya, mobile phones are a ubiquitous and indispensable tool in most people´s daily lives. Though smartphones are not yet commonly seen or used, in this study we equipped 30 Kenyan elite runners with a simple Android smartphone and free Internet for one year. This research project is therefore regarded as a developmental intervention, and aims to facilitate innovation and examine how the runners develop their training, informal learning and economic opportunities by using their smartphone. Firstly, findings showed an improvement in their training and races. Secondly, the runners were also highly motivated to improve their learning and developed a greater awareness of their society, surroundings, etc. Thirdly, by using the smartphone, some of them found options for income generating activities. This participatory action research made an impact and the most common statement from the interviews was the statement “it helps us a lot”.