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Research & Academic Innovation

Exploring the intersection of technology, pedagogy, and accessibility through applied research and practical implementation.

Active Research

Postgraduate Diploma Candidate

The Open University of Kenya
Learning Design & Technology | Expected Completion: June 2026

Instructional Design Gamification EdTech Learning Analytics
75%
Complete

Capstone Research Project

Applied research addressing digital skills acquisition in marginalized communities

The Role of Gamification in Enhancing Student Motivation in Online Learning: A Case Study of Tusomeei Computer Nduani (TCN) Initiative

Research Type

Mixed Methods Case Study

Timeline

Jan 2025 - June 2026

Status

Data Collection Phase

Research Problem

Digital literacy programs in rural Kenya face significant challenges with learner engagement and course completion rates. Traditional lecture-based approaches result in dropout rates exceeding 60% in community-based ICT training initiatives. This research investigates whether gamification strategies can increase motivation and completion rates among adult learners in resource-constrained settings.

Methodology

  • Population: 150 adult learners (ages 18-45) enrolled in TCN's digital skills program across 3 cohorts
  • Intervention: Integration of gamification elements (badges, leaderboards, progress bars, skill trees) into Moodle LMS
  • Data Collection: Pre/post surveys (motivation scales), learning analytics (completion rates, time-on-task), focus group discussions
  • Analysis: Quantitative analysis (paired t-tests for engagement metrics) + Qualitative thematic analysis of learner experiences

Preliminary Findings

+35% Increase in Course Completion
+42% Time Spent on Platform
4.2/5 Learner Satisfaction Score
Practical Application: Research findings are being integrated into MTIB's Moodle LMS to improve engagement for visually impaired learners. Gamification mechanics are being adapted for screen reader compatibility.

Research Interests

Areas where I seek to contribute through applied research and innovation

AI in Education

Exploring ethical deployment of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems for personalized learning. Focus on privacy-preserving AI that runs locally on institutional infrastructure.

Accessibility Technology

Designing inclusive digital learning environments that serve visually impaired learners. Research on WCAG 2.1 implementation in LMS platforms and assistive technology integration.

Gamification Pedagogy

Investigating game mechanics in non-game contexts for adult education. Balancing extrinsic rewards (badges) with intrinsic motivation (skill mastery) in TVET programs.

Learning Analytics

Leveraging LMS data to predict at-risk learners and personalize intervention strategies. Developing privacy-conscious analytics frameworks for educational institutions.

Hybrid Learning Models

Designing blended learning architectures that combine synchronous (classroom) and asynchronous (online) modalities. Infrastructure optimization for low-bandwidth environments.

Digital Inclusion

Community-based ICT training models for bridging the digital divide. Research on sustainable, scalable approaches to digital literacy in marginalized populations.

Technical Publications & Documentation

Sharing knowledge through whitepapers, case studies, and implementation guides

Technical Whitepaper

AURA: Building a Privacy-First RAG AI Agent for Educational Institutions

A comprehensive technical guide documenting the architecture, implementation, and deployment of a Retrieval-Augmented Generation system using open-source LLMs. Covers vector database optimization, prompt engineering, and accessibility considerations.

Llama 3 Python FastAPI ChromaDB RAG Architecture

Published: January 2026 | 12 pages

Implementation Guide

Making Moodle Accessible: A Practitioner's Guide to WCAG 2.1 Implementation

Step-by-step documentation on hardening Moodle LMS for screen reader compatibility. Includes theme customization, plugin selection, content authoring best practices, and user testing protocols with NVDA/JAWS.

Moodle 4.x WCAG 2.1 AA NVDA/JAWS ARIA

Published: December 2025 | 8 pages

Architecture Paper

Hybrid Cloud for Educational Institutions: Balancing Cost, Performance, and Data Sovereignty

Case study documenting MTIB's migration from full-cloud to hybrid architecture. Analyzes cost savings (100% reduction in hosting fees), security implications of Cloudflare Tunnels, and disaster recovery strategies.

Docker Swarm Cloudflare DigitalOcean Ubuntu Server

Published: November 2025 | 10 pages

Best Practices Guide

Implementing 3-2-1 Backup Strategy in Resource-Constrained Environments

Practical guide for educational institutions on implementing disaster recovery without expensive enterprise solutions. Covers automated backup scripting, encryption, off-site replication using Rclone, and restoration testing protocols.

Rclone Bash Scripting Cron Encryption

Published: October 2025 | 6 pages

Conference Presentations & Talks

Sharing insights at academic and professional forums

Presentations Coming Soon

Currently preparing submissions for TVET conferences and EdTech symposiums in 2026. Proposed topics include AI integration in TVET, accessibility in online learning, and community-based digital literacy models.

TVET Conference 2026 EdTech East Africa Summit Konza Tech Forum

Research Collaboration Interests

Open to collaborative research opportunities

Let's Collaborate

I'm actively seeking research collaboration opportunities with:

  • Academic Institutions: Co-authoring papers on EdTech, accessibility technology, or AI in education
  • TVET Colleges: Implementing and evaluating gamification strategies in vocational training programs
  • Tech Companies: Pilot testing AI-assisted learning tools in educational contexts
  • NGOs: Researching scalable digital literacy models for marginalized communities
Propose Collaboration