Teaching Resources on Africa



General Education & Outreach

  • Africa (PBS Online, Public Broadcasting Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia)
    Promotional site for "Africa" the 8 part television series co-produced by WNET/Thirteen's Nature and The National Geographic Society, which begins airing in September 2001. The site includes excerpted texts, photos, "teacher tools", and other resources. See also, the National Geographic website below.
  • Africa Access Review (Brenda Randolph, Silver Spring, Maryland)
    "Africa Access was founded in 1989 to help schools, public libraries, and parents improve the quality of their children's collections on Africa. Our online database, Africa Access Review, contains over 1000 annotations and reviews of books for children. These critiques and descriptions are written by university professors, librarians, and teachers most of whom have lived in Africa and have graduate degrees in African Studies. In recent years, we have expanded beyond our original mission to include Research and Reading projects."
    --See especially: Children's Africana Book Awards (in collaboration with the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association of the United States)
  • Africa Book Club (Olney, Maryland, USA)
    Founded in 2010, an international online newsletter, with book reviews and a forum about Africa's literary past, present, and future, Africans in the diaspora, and related issues; plus an online bookstore.
  • Africa's 100 Best Books (Zimbabwe International Book Fair Association, Harare; via Columbia University)
  • Africa Focus: Sights and Sounds of a Continent (University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries and African Studies Program, Madison, Wisconsin)
    The website offers downloadable images, sound files, and other materials on Africa drawn from contributions by UWM faculty over the last 20-30 years.
  • African Educational Research Network (AERN) (via North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina)
    • The site includes research papers, an online journal, and selected web links relating to education in Africa and African studies in the USA. 'Founded in 1992, the mission of the AERN is to promote research capacity building through collaborative actions.' The network includes Cumberland College (Kentucky), Ohio University, NC State University, University of Manchester (UK), University of Ottawa, National University of Lesotho, Bayero University (Nigeria), Oklahoma University, Kenyatta University, and Clark Atlanta University.
    • African symposium: a journal of educational research on Africa. (Online) -- Raleigh, North Carolina: African Educational Research Network (AERN); via North Carolina State University, 2001--
      The current issue is on offer, the "Archives" provides free access to the full text in PDF format of back issues since 2004.
  • African Studies in the Post-Colonial University. (2012) Edited by Thandabantu Nhlapo & Harry Garuba.
    -- Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town, 2012. 53 pages in PDF format.
  • AFROPHILE: Recommended Titles on Africa for Children and Young People, 1996. (Compiled by Brenda Randolph, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) = L'association pour le développement de l'éducation en Afrique (Paris, France)
    • "The ADEA was established at the initiative of the World Bank in 1988. Its objective was to foster collaboration and coordination between development agencies in support of education in Africa. ADEA now focuses on developing partnerships between Ministers of Education and funding agencies..."
  • Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH) (Silver Spring, Maryland)
    The web site of the organization originally founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1915. General information about the ASALH's activities and leading members; and about Woodson's contributions.
  • Association of African Universities (AAU) = Association des Universités Africaines (Accra, Ghana)
    • "The Association of African Universities [founded in 1967] is an international non-governmental organisation set up by the universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and between them and the international Academic community."
    • AAU newsletter. (Online) -- Accra, Ghana: AAU, 1997-- PDF format.
  • Boston University, African Studies Center Outreach Program, (Boston, Massachusetts)
    Information about the resources available from the Outreach Center, includes: online "travelling kits" on Ghana and Kenya, the online catalog of videos, materials for purchase, and other services.
  • "Education for Life." (May 2017) Web dossier (African Studies Centre, Library and Documentation Centre, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands)
    An annotated bibliography of print and online resources, based on library acquisitions since 2013.
  • FHI 360 -- Education Policy Data Center (Washington, DC)
    "...founded in 2004...EPDC serves as a resource for education data, profiles, and data reports on education status at the country and subnational level, research papers on issues and challenges in education in developing and transitional countries, as well as medium-term education projections."
  • EduTech: "Surveying ICT use in education in Africa." (Sept. 2015) by Michael Trucano.  A World Bank Blog on ICT use in Education  (Washington, DC) 
    --See also: All "Africa" articles, 2009 to present
  • e-Learning Africa (Berlin, Germany)
    An annual conference and exhibition on ICT and education in Africa. "...includes core dialogues, discovery demos, knowledge exchange sessions, knowledge factories, panel discussions, panel talks, plenary sessions, pre-conference events and poster presentations on specific topics and informal networking opportunities."
    --See especially: 14th International Conference & Exhibtion on ICT for Education, Training, and Skills Development, October 23-25, 2019, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
    --Past Conferences
    --eLearning Africa News (Current)
  • Embassy Worldwide
    This is a useful portal site for general information about and links to official sites for all embassies of all governments...in most countries.  Search by country
  • Exploring Africa  (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan)
    Lesson plans and basic information for teaching the history, politics, arts, and cultures of Africa in the US.  The site includes current news, brief  "country overviews", "special topics" on contemporary Africa, regional approaches, and ten country case studies: Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. "...produced and developed...in an effort to address the severe shortage of high quality African resources available to students and educators, particularly at the K-12 level."
    ***Note: Most of the content appears to be for high school students and teachers, but specific grade levels are not indicated in any of the lesson plans and could be used for undergraduate college courses.
  • "Global Studies in search of Africa" (2003) by Pearl T. Robinson. The Politics of Knowledge: Global Studies and the Disciplines ; UCIAS Edited Volume 3, Article 6. University of California eScholarship Respository Journals & Peer-Reviewed Series. -- Los Angeles and Berkeley: University of California Press and California Digital Library, 2003. 42 pages in PDF format.
  • H-AfrTeach Web Site & Discussion List (H-Net; Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan)
    "The mission of the H-AfrTeach web site and discussion list is to provide a stimulating forum for considering the possibilities and problems involved in teaching about Africa. It is intended for a wide audience, encompassing educators, students and others with an interest in teaching about Africa at all educational levels." The web site itself also includes links to lesson plans and other resources.
  • Ohio University: Institute for the African Child (2017-2018) (Athens, Ohio)
    "The children of Africa are the interdisciplinary focus of the Institute for the African Child at Ohio University. We seek to promote research, teaching, and service that consider children in the process of the African continent's socio-economic development." 
    --See especially: Childhood in Africa: An Interdisciplinary Journal. (Online)--Archive

  • Primary Source: "What We Talk About When We Talk About Africa" Podcast Series (2022) (Watertown, Massachusetts)
    Teams of African Studies scholars "talk about" teaching Africa in the K-12 curriculum/undergraduate colleges through various themes.  The site includes 6 modules, each with a podcast and a theme--historical or contemporary, suggested readings for teachers, and links to other open access resources for teaching about Africa.

  • ProTeacher! -- Africa Lesson Plans for Elementary School Teachers (2011) (USA)
    A collection of links to ideas for teaching Africa in grades K-6 in the United States; part of a larger website for American elementary school teachers.
  • South African politics: an introduction using internet resources (Dr. Allison Drew, Department of Politics, University of York, UK)
    The site offers historical summaries, illustrations, maps, photographs, bibliographical sources, and exercises. "This course provides a brief introduction to South African politics and political history using internet-based resources. It introduces students both to the types of internet resources that are available on this topic and to their use. Students can develop research skills using the web through simple web-based exercises."
  • Takam Tikou: L'actualité de l'édition jeunesse en Afrique et dans le monde arabe La joie par les livres. (Centre National du Livre pour Enfants, Paris, France)
  • Teaching Tolerance Southern Poverty Law Center (Montgomery, Alabama)
    "Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants."
    --See especially: Publications -and- Student Texts on Africa
  • United Nations "International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024" (New York, USA; Geneva, Switzerland)
  • Universities, Employability, and Inclusive Development: Repositioning Higher Education in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa (2016)  Sponsored by The British Council. (London, UK) 108 pages in PDF format
    "The research project ran from March 2013 to February 2016, and involved five countries – Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and for comparative purposes, the UK...The research study focuses primarily on the teaching function of universities, rather than research and community engagement – while acknowledging that the latter two also play an essential part of the university’s role in enhancing a country’s development."
  • University of Cape Town: Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (Cape Town, South Africa)
    This site offers examples of projects, conference proceedings, and includes reports on technology and education in Africa; plus related web links.
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill:  African Diaspora Fellows Program -- Curriculum Resource Guides (2017)
    The program produced several teaching guides on The Haitian Revolution, AfroLatinx Identity and Music, Equal Protection Under the Law, 'From Abolition to #Black Lives Matter', African Slave Trade, and Transatlantic Slave Trade.
  • University of Wisconsin, African Studies Program--Outreach: Online Resources
    An extensive collection of links to African studies teaching resources.
  • The World Bank: EdStats: Country Profiles (Washington, DC)
    This site provides statistical indicators on educational development by country (since 1990), with reports on education (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and links to other topics in international development.
  • World Teach: South Africa ; Namibia ; Morocco ; Kenya and Uganda (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
    "...offers highly motivated individuals the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow professionally in developing communities around the globe."
  • Coverdell World Wise Schools -- Africa Lesson Plans (Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools -- Educators; sponsored by United States Peace Corps, Washington, DC)

 

Art, Film, & Music

 

  • The African Guide: African People and Culture (Nicole Smith & Albert Angel, USA)
    This searchable illustrated guide for those interested in traveling to Africa and background information on the cultures of Africa. The site provides a listing of current and upcoming festivals and other major cultural events across Africa, with links to web sites.
  • Guide to African Women Cinema Studies (Dr. Beti Ellerson, Center for the Study and Research of African Women in Cinema, Washington, DC)
    A teaching and learning guide, with a list of films and directors; plus, links to selected other film web sites.
  • Afropop.org : Hip Deep Series (World Music Productions, New York)
    "...a media project dedicated to the idea that music is a key to understanding everything...Hip Deep has been created and maintained with major support from the National Endowment for the Humanities...you can access the entire archive of Hip Deep radio programs, and read interviews and narratives...discographies, images, videos, and links to music and other resources."
  • AFROPOP Worldwide Home Page (World Music Productions, New York; in partnership with ARTSEDGE, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC)
    "Afropop Worldwide is PRI Public Radio International's weekly series showcasing the contemporary musical cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora in the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Hosted by international broadcast personality Georges Collinet from Cameroon.." This site offers information about the radio program; Afropop-sponsored events and trips; and, general information about the music of Africa and the African diaspora.
  • Art & Archæology of Africa (Columbia University Libraries)
  • Art & Life in Africa Project (University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, Iowa) --via The Internet Archive
    "The Art & Life in Africa website...is a freely accessible educational resource that is the product of the collaborative efforts of more than fifty scholars, technicians, collectors and institutions around the world....The first phase of developing the Art & Life in Africa website focused on updating the original CD-ROM content [first produced in 1997] so that it is available to as wide an audience as possible. Moving forward, the Art & Life in Africa team plans to invite scholarly contributions that will address underrepresented areas such as modern and contemporary artistic practices and geographic locations like South Africa. These new essays and/or chapters will be added to the site on an ongoing basis."
  • ArtsEdge on Africa (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC)
    This site offers links to a few selected recent programs on African arts (music, theatre, history, literature, and art); plus some teaching lesson ideas mostly for elementary schools.
  • Films and Videos on Africa (Columbia University Libraries)
  • Kiboko Projects & Galleries (Mark Scheflen et al., Visual Arts Program, St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, New York)
    Since 1995, Mark Scheflen has been director of a program designed to nurture child artists in New York, Kenya, and South Africa. This web site features information about the various programs and several galleries of the children's art (for sale).
  • Modern African art : a basic reading list. Compiled by Janet L. Stanley (2019). (Washington, DC: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution Libraries)
    An online, full-length, annotated bibliography. Last update: February 2019.
  • Music and Dance of Africa on the Internet (Columbia University Libraries)

Business & Economics

  • Africa renewal. (Online) -- New York: UN Dept. of Public Information, 2004-
    Formerly known as: Africa Recovery (1996-2004).
    Current electronic issue in full; available in English or French. There is a link to an archive of some previous issues, but each back issue is only composed of a few excerpts and the table of contents.
  • AllAfrica.Com--Business & Technology Center (AllAfrica Global Media, Washington, DC)
    • Current and recent news from all over the African continent on business news. The principal sources of news reporting are African newspapers and news services, and UN agencies. Warning: the searchable archive for articles older than 30 days is only available through subscription.
    • NEPAD-related News
      A compilation of current news summaries related to the "New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development". See also: NEPAD official website below.
  • All Africa Foundation: "Sustainable Africa" Internet Channel (AllAfrica Global Media, Washington, DC)
    • A portal site for news stories and public domain documents relating to "sustainable development" issues in Africa: environment, trade, debt, population, water, climate change, forests, agriculture, etc.
    • Directory of organizations (International, regional, national, and community-based)
  • Business and Economic Information on Africa (via Columbia University Libraries)
    An extensive list of annotated links to African economic information, including news, economic research organizations, central banks, regional development organizations, chambers of commerce, stock exchanges, conferences, etc.
  • The Internet in Africa (Columbia University)
    A set of links to major web sites on Internet Service Providers (ISPs), conferences, Internet development projects, and connectivity issues in Africa.
  • NEPAD: New Partnership for Africa's Development, New African Initiative & Related Documents, 2002-- (via The African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
  • US Government Agencies on African Economic Development (via Columbia University Libraries)

Environment, Geography, Maps, & Science

History, Philosophy, & Religion

Languages & Literature

  • African Language Resources (Columbia University Libraries)
  • African Literature on the Internet (Columbia University Libraries)
  • African Studies Association of the United States: Childrens' Africana Book Awards (via AfricaAccess.Com, Silver Spring, Maryland)
    Since 1991, the Outreach Council of the ASA annually honors outstanding authors and illustrators of children's books about Africa published in the United States.
  • Children's Literature Research Unit, University of South Africa (Pretoria, South Africa)
    Select bibliographies of South African and other African children's literature.
  • Culture & Literature of Africa (Cora Agatucci, Department of Humanities, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon)
    This web site is designed to support a college course on the 'study of significant Sub Saharan African works of traditional oral arts or 'orature,' and modern literature and film, representing a diversity of peoples and cultures from key historical periods.' The site includes a useful table of  African Timelines, with hypertext links to other resources on the Internet.
  • National African Language Resource Center (Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana)
    • "The National African Language Resource Center is a federally funded, nonprofit national foreign language center dedicated to the advancement of African language teaching and learning in the United States." 
  • RTI International -and- United States Agency for International Development: Survey of Children's Reading Materials in African Languages in Eleven Countries--Final Report.
    (May 2016)

    -- Washington, DC: USAID, 2016. 71 pages in PDF format.
    --See also: Annexes to this report, with country survey data....and related publications
  • The Virtual Institute of Mambila Studies (University of Kent, U.K.)
    "The Virtual Institute of Mambila Studies seeks to collate and connect the different research and researchers with an interest in the Mambila people of the Nigeria - Cameroon borderland and their neighbours; their languages and the area in which they live. We take a broad view of Mambila, including other groups speaking related languages such as Kwanja, Vute, Wawa, Nizaa, Njerep (3 speakers at last count!), Twendi (35 speakers), Tep, and others. Our research is primarily of an anthropological and linguistic nature; abstracts or full texts of papers are available at the site."

News & Issues Analysis

***For full list of sources see: News (General, Business, Sports) & Information Services on Africa

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization

United States Government Agencies