FEEDING THE NEED 1.6

FEEDING THE NEED 1.6

Q’n      How well prepared are your colleagues for their own technology integration journey?

Answer:            Majority of the teachers at my school are not prepared and shun the technology integration program.

Q’n      What is the level of their technical skills?

Answer:            Majority of the teachers at my school have only the basics of computer application; they can use Microsoft word processing for typing of examinations, writing comments on students’ report forms-for the case of class teachers and senior lady/Matrons. And a few can afford power point presentation if guided by a knowledgeable person.

Q’n      What is their understanding of technology-integrated teaching and learning?

Answer:           Apart from some science teachers who teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics, math, and some Geography teachers who explore the Internet, or use the simulated science programs for teachers on the computer, (cyber-Uganda), most of the Arts subject teachers do not understand technology –integrated teaching and learning. They believe in a lecture method or physical teacher-student interaction in a classroom where they go together with their books from the school library to the classroom.  

Q’n      If you were to implement a professional development program at your school, what social and infrastructure factors would you have to consider?

Answer:       Providing personal computers (laptops) to all teachers. Laptops may be provided to teachers at a departmental level and owned by the school, or to be made available to all teachers through loans on the basis of a small monthly deduction from an individual teacher’s salary of which it becomes his/hers on completion of the payment. This can be arranged by the school administration for the case of privately owned schools or by the Ministry of Education for the case of government aided schools.

                  Motivate all teachers into ICT training by designing for them sometime within the teaching time table to practice computer literacy or to explore the Internet with in the school setting for free with a computer programs’ trainer.

Training of all teachers in ICT without considering which subject they teach should be considered in order to initiate them in the new technology trends.

The Internet should be provided to teachers at school.

Teachers need to be sensitized or made to change their attitude towards computer technology and get rid of the fear of a computer mouse. Some teachers think that touching a key board is to spoil what is already in the computer!

Q’n     Would the resources you’ve curated throughout this course be useful to your colleagues?   How so? 

Answer:            The resources I have curated are so many; I have explored Teacher media where I became a member, and teacher tube, Edutopia and I can implore them (fellow teachers) to use you tube for the good educative videos. I can encourage them to join wiki spaces or use Google collaborative docs with students for a better teaching. Also teachers should learn blogging. This can help them to publish what they have come up with in their career as teachers and even use blogs as platforms for teaching.