ICT Clubs in Uganda Vol. 1 by Moses Wamanga

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT Clubs in Uganda A BULLETIN OF KISUBI ASSOCIATED WRITERS’ AGENCY - KAWA

9th September 2018

Volume 001

A student of Lira Town College (Middle, standing) shares his robotics project during launch of the UCC ICT Club pilot project there on Wednesday 4th July 2018.

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Launches ICT Club Pilot Project in 20 Secondary Schools in Partnership with KAWA.

Kasubi Associated Writers’ Agency (KAWA) is a national provider of professional development services to enhance learning outcomes for educators, schools Kisubi Associated Writers’ Agency, KAWA has been manand children around the country. dated by UCC to implement the launch of a pilot project of starting up and supporting ICT Clubs in 20 selected schools Tel: +256 772-580086 in Uganda. Turn to page 3 for more. Fax: +256 753-054171 Item Page Email: +256 753-054171 Physical address: UMA Showground Lugogo, Kampala, Uganda. P.O BOX 6966 Kampala. Website: http://www.kawa.ac.ug

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The 20 ICT Clubs -

4-5

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Club members speak out on the launch -

6 - 15

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ICT Club Patrons meeting -

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Patrons’ first online convergence -

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How you can profitably use the tablets -

18 - 19

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Innovations in the classroom -

20 - 21

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

The Team Players in the Field

Moses Wamanga: Moses is an experienced educator with a strong background in the use of technology and capacity building to improve educational outcomes. He has designed and conducted various national and international conferences and interventions on the effective application of ICT and education technology in the classroom. As an International Education and Resource Network Master teacher, he holds wide experience in student centered, collaborative learning activities. He also has vast experience in computer programming, networking and digital academic content creation. He serves as the national Chairman of KAWA, a communitybased teachers’ organization that delivers digital content and Continuous Professional development courses in partnership with the Makerere University Business School and the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports.

Chole Richard is an advocate and passionate practitioner of best practices and integration of ICT in education. He is a Secondary School teacher and Master Teacher of International Education Resource Network (iEARN) where he facilitates a students’ global collaborative learning project, Envision My Ideal World. He has worked for ten years as an educator with Adobe Youth Voices, an international learner driven purposeful multimedia production program for teenagers using concepts of project-based learning under local patronage of SchoolNet Uganda. He is a Microsoft Innovative Educator, emerging one of 18 best in (MIA) Microsoft Forum for Middle East and Africa in 2012.

He is very much inclined to engaging students in He is a Senior Education Specialist for Opportunity In- learning through purposeful multimedia creation. ternational Education Quality Department in Uganda. Prior to joining Edufinance, Moses served as Head He has participated and presented at several local and of ICT department at St. Mary’s College Kisubi and Jin- international conferences and workshops dedicated ja SS, Director of Digital Learning for Dream Africa to promotion of ICT in Education and Development. Schools, a project of GEMS Cambridge Schools and He is also inclined to mentoring young people towards Varkey Foundation. unleashing their literary potential and creativity. 2

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

UCC Launches 20 ICT Clubs

The Chairman of KAWA, Wamanga W. Moses (Standing) talks to ICT Club members of Mbarara High School during launch of the UCC ICT Clubs Pilot Project there on Tuesday 26 th June 2018.

Between 18th June and 18th July, 2018 a team of KAWA members traversed the country reaching out to each of the 20 secondary schools. The KAWA team delivered a talks and engaged in conversations with some of the club members. Some of the students enthusiastically shared their learning project works that they already were embarking on.

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The KAWA team handed to each club about 100 T Shirts branded in UCC logos, and a pair of Samsung Galaxy tablets donated by UCC for implementing club  activities.

Being able to integrate ICT in mainstream disciplines, other clubs and schools’ activities for learning purposes. Engaging learners in programs and activities that develop a sense of global citizenship Being able to purposefully network, collaborate and work as a team. Becoming peer learners that guide and support fellow students in learning and effective use of ICT in education. Empowering learners to address real issues affecting their communities and finding solutions to them through innovative learning projects. Developing a sense of ownership of and taking part in maintenance of equipment of their respective ICT departments.

The pilot project is UCC’s long term commitment to supporting clubs in maintenance and basic repairs of KAWA’s talk with the club learners encompassed aims computers and accessories in their respective schools. and objectives of the project, 21st century challenges However KAWA’s mandate goes beyond maintenance and opportunities that young people must equip and repair to building capacity in the participating themselves to face, and employability skills - hard and learners to utilize ICT to leverage 21st century learning soft.

practices and make ICT more relevant in their lives Clubs members were urged to act responsibly in inand education.

teracting with their schools’ ICT properties and to guard them jealously. They were also urged to fully Key objectives outlined are:  Building in the students the skills of using ICT more participate in Lab maintenance as principle club learneffectively and responsibly. ing activity.  Building communication skills and confidence in the learners Each of the 20 clubs are expected to come up with at  Enabling creativity and innovation least one innovative learning activity. Outstanding  Developing critical thinking and problem-solving clubs will be recognized for their efforts. mentality 3

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

The Twenty ICT Clubs

Bishop Kivengere Girls’ - Kabale

St. Joseph’s College, Layibi - Gulu

St. John S.S., Nadera - Luwero

Rwenkobwa S.S.S - Ibanda

Nyero Rock High - Kumi

Nalinya Lwantale Girls School - Luwero

Masaka S.S.– Masaka

Gulu High School - Gulu

Lira Town College - Lira

Bishops S.S - Mukono

Kansanga Seed S. S. - Kampala

St. Mary’s College, Rushoroza - Kabale

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

The Twenty ICT Clubs

Bishop Kivengere Girls’ - Kabale

Arua S.S. - Arua

Dabani Girls’ School - Busia

Mary Hill Girls’ School - Mbarara

Nabisunsa Girls - Kampala

Mbale S.S. - Mbale

Mbarara High.– Mbarara

Mbale High - Mbale

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK One of the activities that the KAWA team embarked on at the end of each launch was to ask a few of the participating students to share their personal experiences of the occasion. Their feedback would always give the team a reason to smile because of the open excitement and high level of expectation and hope of the youngsters. Picture on the left is of Chole of KAWA getting feedback from students of Nabisunsa Girls during the launch there on Wednesday 11th July 2018 5

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK We are very pleased that we are having the UCC members visiting us today and on this note I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the government of Uganda, UCC and KAWA because we have received a very great opportunity that we have been the first school to have the ICT club (launched). I am holding a Galaxy Tab that will aid our researches and our club operations.

Mubiru Lawrence, St. John SS, Nandera, Luwero I have really learnt a lot of things today. I have always been a good computer student. When I was in my former school, before I joined Arua Public, I always thought of this dream, becoming an ICT expert, but then because of other cases the school does not have an ICT lab. Then I joined Arua Public and that is when I gained access to computer. I started computer in S3. Right now, I can call my self lucky. Right now, I have this dream that one day I will explore the world and help all those who are coming. But now today that the opportunity has come, I have to thank KAWA very much for this… UCC. I have always wanted to produce an application that would help people and I really thank God for this opportunity and I have to thank KAWA and UCC. Thank you.

Robert, S4, Arua Public School I think this program is one of its kind. We have never had such programs before and it is a very good one. I wish it could be extended to other schools so that they have the same knowledge and experiences we have heard.

Ochola Vincent, St. Joseph’s College, Layibi

I have learnt that ICT can be used to solve so many problems and our club would like to encourage other schools to use this advantage to find solutions to problems in this country.

Swabra, Head Girl, S5, Nabisunsa Girls’ School. 6

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I have learnt how to use computer; technology, how to inspire others, to use it (technology) and how to solve other problems in the community, how to connect with other outside countries. Let me tell you my friends, this is really interesting. We have had bigtime and I would like to tell others out there that if you have got the chance, tell us use it and the technology, let us not use it wrongly but let us use it responsibly.

Acham Brenda, Nyero Rock High School, Kumi. We have learnt that our creativity can help us lead this world in terms of ICT. We have learnt that ICT is leading the world with creativity. And this creativity begins with you. And this creativity begins with you when you are still young. If you can create even a doll that means you are creative and you can fit in the ICT world. So, I encourage you my friends to be creative and cooperate with others. Collaborate with others because you cannot finish it alone. If you collaborate with others, you will move and rest somewhere. If you don’t, you will not fit in the ICT world because ICT world is all about collaboration, love and working together. To solve the problems, you must be a good problem solver in your community and anywhere you fit.

Adyebo Mark, S2, Lira Town College I have learnt that ICT is important in my life. It can help me to do work in the future, when you study it, you can become an engineer of computers. I have learnt to help others so that they can learn computer. In this coming year we must fit in the dotcom era. That is why we must learn ICT.

Victoria, S1, St. John SS, Nandera, Luwero.

(The ICT launch) has taught me how to be confident, how to be cooperative and creative with my fellow friends … and can also help me to communicate with the other countries…

Martha, S5, Dabani Girls’ School

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I would like to send my thanks to Uganda Communications Commission for considering Nyero Rock as one of the 20 schools. Now I have joined the ICT club. I am very happy and I do thank them very much. Now that I have learnt a lot, I am going to use the advice that they have given us. Since ICT is one of the clubs that rules the country, I am also going to cooperate since I have achieved from them.

Alupo Prosovia, Nyero Rock High School, Kumi I want to first of all thank our facilitator and I want to thank everyone who has labored to participate. It has been one of a kind. I have drawn (from it) somethings that I didn’t know. It does not teach us just to become computer wizards but it teaches us some other parts of life – being creative and creating our own things instead of things created by other people. … I have also learnt that this world is being driven by technology and we are in a tech era. I am asking everyone out there who does not know about ICT to work day and night on ICT because I see now it is ruling the world. I would like to thank UCC for you have taken that golden move of reaching to the youth to help them develop that heart of being more creative.

Byamugisha Kevin, S6 – Mbarara High School I would first of all like to thank the team from UCC for coming. We have really learnt a lot especially on … to become innovative, creative and be a problem solver. We are going to put everything we have learnt into consideration and do whatever you told us.

Naboth, S6, Bishops Secondary School, Mukono

I would like to thank UCC and KAWA for bringing this program. I can say that it has widened up our minds and broadened our knowledge on ICT and we have come to realize that we can do so many things to transform our community and the surrounding using ICT. And not only in the practical work in class but extend our ICT knowledge to transform the world outside. I believe with this ICT knowledge, if we apply it we shall change our school and the community surrounding it.

Desire, Arua Public SS.

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK We have learnt that we are living in a global world and we shouldn’t compete according to race or religion… we can provide solutions to problems… Aketch Patricia Hope, Head Girl, Dabani Girls’ School

I have learnt that our community or society around us can be changed or transformed to another level in a way that ICT is not only about technology but our daily life, the way we live, the way we associate with our colleagues, in a way that ICT can help us create many job opportunities or chance to the community in a way, to improve on their standards of living. Before this Club launch, I thought ICT is just for big people, big schools like Budo (King’s College) but I am happy for this club that also our school, far as it is from Kampala – it is in Ndejje, Bombo – we have been able to interact with big people, new things and I promise that I as the chairperson, I am going to work very hard with our patron in a way that we improve the standard of our school… I am just yearning … even I don’t know how I can explain… I am eager to perform… As for me my first project which I have targeted … I don’t know how soon it will be but that our club will soon start producing certificates

Namubiru Aisha Kizito, ICT Club Chairperson, S5, Nalinya Lwantale Girls; School, Luwero I feel impressed by what we have learnt today. I think it is going to make us to do more things and inventions and make us good people in the future.

Nyeko George K, S5 Science, St. Joseph’s College, Layibi

I have had such a wonderful experience. We’ve gained so much, learnt so much and I encourage everyone out there, every girl, every boy out there to take on ICT so that we use it to solve problems in this country and outside because we have been told to think out of the box, think globally…

Namanya Karugaru, S4, Nabisunsa Girls’ School. 9

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I want to thank KAWA which is supported by UCC. Today they have launched ICT Club in our school and we know that we are going to social with other schools like in Jinja, we are going to connect with them and going to share more knowledge about ICT and we are going to develop the world to another level.

Amuguja Sharon, Gulu High

I have learnt a lot of things from today and I have learned to love ICT. At first, I had some biases about ICT …. But now I have learnt to love the club and I have learnt that ICT can take us far, knowing all the innovations I can have and I have also really really learnt to love the club.

Rhoda, S6, Bishops Secondary School, Mukono

I have learnt to help other people to know about ICT.

Nakanua Sirina, S2, Kansanga Seed School, Kampala

The thing that I have learnt from the ICT (Launch) is that you can get some knowledge and that knowledge … you should not just keep quiet on it. You are supposed to even give it out to other members. You should not keep quiet on it.

Ayer Gladys, Gulu High School

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I continue to extend my greetings to UCC for bringing these plans of clubs of ICT for various schools around the country. I have the opportunity of being at St. Mary’s (College, Rushoroza), one of the schools selected. So I continue to thank UCC and I pledge on behalf of my Club at St. Mary’s that we shall work hand in hand with so that we can make innovation in ICT with all the schools that going to join us.

Derrick , St. Mary’s College, Rushoroza, Kabale We have not only learnt to be computer geniuses but also learnt to be creative and innovative, to be helpful to society and how to outreach to all other students in the school.

Adong Priscilla, S2, Bishops Secondary School, Mukono.

We have been very glad to receive you in our school and very happy for the gorgeous and fantamaglorious club of ICT which you have introduced in our school and which has been accepted by the DOS (Director of Studies) We thank you for all the information you’ve brought for us … may the Lord bless you.

Nabukenya Mariam, Rwenkobwa S.S., Ibanda

I am happy for the visitors who have visited us. I recognize you all and I thank you for h package you brought for us, even the administration that has allowed you to come and give us your information ... Hudson, S5, Rwenkobwa S.S

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I have learnt a lot from ICT, a lot from this launch. It has been a kind encouraging for us to use technology to do a lot of things; to learn a lot of things; to learn a lot of things to help people to get our careers up and up grade them. I have learnt that with technology we can learn, we can move forward and get to different levels of life. It is very important to your life an my life. And if you are out there and you thing it is not worthy it, well… it is worth it!

Alero Pretty, S3, Bishop Kivengere Girls, Kabale

I would like to thank you for having chosen us to be among the 20 schools in the ICT Clubs because it is taken for granted that most school do not have ICT Clubs. I would to also like all the people around to encourage othere to join this club. I have learnt many things from it (the launch) that it can also add value to other clubs in order to improve on their standards. Nathan S1, Mbarara High

I would like to say that I really had a nice experience. E really appreciate and I would to encourage every girl, every boy, everyone … there are many opportunities for us to do (many wonders). We can use ICT for many things . We really thank you and we hope that everyone could really get a good opportunity in life.

Namugenyi Hanifa, Nabisunsa Girls’ School, Kampala

We’ve learnt about soft skills. Mainly that is what has impacted me. Soft skills are like skills that we do not have to learn in class. You have to impact them in your self… naturally.

Olinga Emmanuel Benjamin, Bishop SS, Mukono.

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I have really learnt a lot from ICT. I didn’t that it was this fun but when I saw it was all about computers, laptops, I really appreciate everything and I expect to get a career in ICT and I really love it. I have a passion for it.

Karunga Jolly, S1, Nabisunsa Girls, Kampala.

I really thank you for the launching of the club. It has really been good for us and thank you for the offers. And we promise to use them really well and to communicate with the rest of the people in the club. We thank God for being chosen among the rest because there are really many but we are lucky to be chosen among the many. When thank them (UCC, KAWA) for the ICT skills we’ve been added … right now we feel we are more experts.

I have gained confidence… I have learnt how to believe in my self.

Nagogo, S5, Bishops SS, Mukono

What I have learnt is that you can also reach society using online (platform)

Nyadodo Racheal, S5, Bishop SS, Mukono.

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK Today we have made the club supported by KAWA, Uganda Government and UCC. We thank them for what they have given to us. The club has enabled us to know that the community does not know the technological changes. We have got the idea that we must teach the people around us, our parents and all the community. That they must get to know the community improvement. Emmanuel, S4, St. John Nalinya.

It is a great pleasure for today we have been visited by UCC in association with KAWA. There here to launch the ICT Club. We have got to know the problems associated with ICT. Not only problems but the opportunities; the good things… how you can become one with the department of ICT and how to use ICT related tools. My view to all people is that ICT is not a tool only for people who know it. It is learnt… I would like to thank Uganda Communications Commission and in particular KAWA… Francis, S4, St. John Nalinya

We have learnt lots of things. Things that we can do. You can become job creators through ICT. We can promote security in the country.

Arinaitwe S5 Arts, Kasanga Seed SS, Kampala

The program is useful. Everybody must know the use of ICT. For any one to be successful in this world, he must know computer skills. Even for helping community improve. For example people in our community suffer from floods. With the help of ICT, their problem may be solved.

Sam S2, Kasanga Seed SS, Kampala

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

ICT CLUB LEARNERS’ FEEDBACK I have liked the message that UCC has brought. I had never known how to compete with others in internet and social media but I have learned about it during this program (the Launch) Gerald, S5 Arts, Nyero Rock High, Kumi.

I am proud to be a member of ICT Club. This program is good because of my following reasons: 1. It helps us to develop our skills in ICT 2. It helps us to be confident and know our talents. Children can practice what tey want to be in future and make videos of it. To develop our talents through making videao like the one they (KAWA) showed us today. But most important of all it make us to become confident. James, Kasanga Seed SS, Kampala

I am motivated by this club and now I have known that the world we are living in now is a world of ICT.

Arinaitwe S5 Arts, Kasanga Seed SS, Kampala

ICT to me is a very good subject. Why? … when you look at the medical world, to improve it, you need ICT. ICT can help us to make a difference; to ease our work. Not only that. Communication. … I can ideas from other doctors else where using ICT to help me get more knowledge. ...I will be having more potential of doing my job.

Sadik, Lira Town College, Lira

Online link of students’ feedback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d43sfXnDKqU&feature=youtu.be

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

On 10th August 2018, all roads led to MUBS Campus Kampala for KAWA sponsored meeting of ICT Club patrons implementing Uganda Communications Commission’s pilot project. At least 17 patrons from 16 of the 20 schools were able to make it for this knowledge sharing meeting which is probably the first of its kind in history of Uganda.

ICT Club Patrons Meet After successfully engaging students of the 20 selected ICT Clubs in the UCC Pilot Project implemented by KAWA, it was only appropriate that the club patrons came together to put their minds together on how to move on.

It was very exciting to see teachers like Barugahare Jimmy, the patron of Mbarara High School sharing some excellent innovative projects by his students. We look forward to experiencing the completed product.

The main aims of the meeting were to:  To share with the participants the main aim and objectives of the ICT Clubs Pilot Project  Share with the participants the UCC Curriculum of the ICT Clubs  To come up with the best methods of successfully making students participate in maintenance of ICT Labs in the schools.  Share with the patrons the program of engaging their students in innovative learning activities.  Carry out a demonstration of online conferencing using the Samsun Galaxy Tablets donated by UCC to the ICT Clubs.  Share the proposed work plan designed by KAWA for the ICT Clubs.

Several resolutions were arrived at by the patrons. Some of the key ones being guiding the club learners in fully participating in ICT lab maintenance. It goes without stating that some of the schools already have their students participating in this activity.

The discussions were held in an open and free atmosphere. One very encouraging aspect of the meeting was the enthusiasm of all patrons to see the ICT Club’s program role on.

Another key resolution involves each ICT Club coming up with at least one innovative learning project. Each of the clubs will also implement an ICT curriculum effective this term. The one day meeting was sponsored by KAWA with the venue freely provided by Makerere University School of Business, Nakawa. The Executive Director of Kawa, Mr. Rukundo Paul fulfilled promise of loading bundles in the Samsung Galaxy Tablets donated to the clubs by UCC and closed the meeting.

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

Club Patrons in a Skype conferencing test One key aspect in using technology for whatever purpose is to TEST IT BEFORE HAND, lest it ruins your day. That’s why ICT Club patrons decided to make a “test run” of Skyping on the afternoon of Friday 13th August 2018.

way of sharing and learning from each other and solving issues. In any case, certainly many of the club members are aspiring to be doctors. How much further would technology have advanced by then? In the not-so-far–future, never be surprised to hear a doctor has failed to get employed because of luck of knowledge and skill of ICT.

The 45 minute Skype meeting had patrons from Arua, Mbarara, Masaka, Mukono, Mbale and Kampala. The KAWA team also participated from Jinja and Kampala. This Skpe session was a organized as a precursor for a major conferencing for the students using the Samsung Galaxy Tablets that UCC Donated. KAWA will organise the students’ online conference for all the 20 Clubs on a date yet to be fixed later this term. Online conferencing is a great way to bring minds together to share and learn from each other on any issue of interest. Sadik, ICT Club member of Lira Town College (Left picture) was quick to observe that doctors these days use ICT to communicate with each other to solve medical issues concerning their patients without living their places of work! He is spot-on. It is indeed cheap, easy and very convenient. Such is the innovation that ICT can bring in our lives. As KAWA team, it is our desire to promote the culture and mentality of using online conferencing. We are convinced that it can be a powerful

Moses Wamanga of KAWA in Jinja having a Skype session with teachers and students during the first Skype conferencing test on 13th August 2018.

For now, the patrons did a test to get acclimatized with Skyping. KAWA envisions a time when clubs will take their own initiatives to organize online conferences to the benefit of each of the participating parties.

Faces from ICT Clubs around the country on screen during the Skype test on 13th August 2018

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

10 WAYS A TABLET CAN BE USED IN SCHOOL By Nicholas Kugonza

When the ICT Clubs were launched, two tablets were provided to the participating schools. It was all excitement and a lot of optimism for great things to happen. Yet to some participants a tablet was not familiar or it was just another phone to be used by the ICT Club. At its most basic level, a tablet PC is a mobile computing device that's larger than a Smartphone or personal digital assistant. There's not a strict cutoff size for tablet devices -- the iPad line has a screen size of just under 10 inches but other tablets can be larger or smaller. Nicholas Kugonza The idea of the tablet computer isn't new. Back in 1968, a computer scientist named Alan Kay proposed that with advances in flat-panel display technology, user interfaces, miniaturization of computer components and some experimental work in WiFi technology, you could develop an all-in-one computing device. He developed the idea further, suggesting that such a device would be perfect as an educational tool for school students. In 1972, he published a paper about the device and called it the Dynabook.

The 10 ways: 1. See the world It’s easier than ever to take a virtual tour of the world for whatever lesson or topic you want to link the idea with. Google Maps has added 3D buildings in some areas and includes street view too (press and hold on any road for a closer look). Google Earth lets you see the contours and landmarks of the planet and can even overlay nuggets of information thanks to Wikipedia.

2. Study the night sky A tablet makes a great stargazing tool if your students are studying the pattern of the cosmos, and with the right app you don’t have to wait for the sun to go down – you can simply point the tablet up at the sky and it will show the constellations as you move it around. SkyView Free is among the best apps, though there are more. While most are premium priced, many also provide a basic free edition so you can try them out before buying. The apps can even be used in daylight, but are most effective when pupils can see the stars in the night sky as well as on their device display.

Students of Nalinya Lwantale Girls’ School, Luwero excitedly pose with the tablets donated to their ICT Club by Uganda Communications Commission 18

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

10 WAYS A TABLET CAN BE USED IN SCHOOL 3. Document learning progress Seesaw is a relatively new app, but it’s hit the ground running with a suite of excellent tools enabling students to keep a record of what they’re learning (and parents can get involved as well). Photos, videos, drawings, text, web links, pdfs and material from other apps can all be incorporated, and teachers have the option to log into the journals (and approve work) from any device. A recent update added blogging capabilities to the app and, thanks to the intuitive accounts system, a whole class can alternately share one tablet device if necessary. 4. Set up a class webcam If you can fix a tablet somewhere suitable and have some shillings to spare then iCam does a great job of turning the device into a private webcam that you and the students can log into and view from any web browser. Perhaps you want to keep an eye on the class vegetable patch or some wildlife outside the window, or maybe there’s another class somewhere else in the world that you have a special partnership with and would like to contact on a regular basis – there are all kinds of different ways to use the app.

5. Make your own movies You probably know how to use a tablet’s camera app to record a movie, but you might not realise just how versatile it is. The default iPad app includes a time-lapse mode for recording a scene over a long period of time and then shortening the results (scroll up in the mode list to find it). Other apps can lend a hand too: use Stop Motion Studio to build a movie from a series of pictures, there are many more other apps that can be used to add voice narrations, music and text, and turn inanimate objects and drawings into animated talking heads. 6. Translate foreign words and phrases instantly From the simplicity of the post-it note approach applied by FlashSticks to the full-scale language learning experience offered by Duolingo, there’s no shortage of apps out there to help students get to grips with a foreign tongue. As far as classroom fun goes, Google Translate is worth trying out: there’s a special camera mode that converts text into a specified language on the fly, so you can play around with signs, headlines, blocks of text and more while exploring the basics of a foreign language. Audio and text translation features are also included.

them the basics while keeping them entertained. 8. Get creative with photo taking The Android camera apps are simple enough to use and can be deployed to record anything from a field trip diary to the results of a science experiment or a class art show. A number of additional apps let you stitch pictures together and add stickers on top; Pic Collages is one of the best but there are others out there, while PicLab lets students add filters, text and various other effects. 9. Make music Tablets are well-known as music-making devices, even among professionals, and there are a plethora of apps available that make good use of the tablet’s extra screen space compared with a mobile phone screen. These range from apps that enable you to add effects to existing tracks to apps to help you compose something from scratch, note by note. Walk Band can help nurture the musical creativity of your students. There are plenty of more specialised music apps available, so you should be able to find something to suit your students’s age and even particular topics or instruments. ] 10. Tune into worldwide radio There’s almost no end to the number of hats a tablet can wear – jukebox, map, e-reader, television and, importantly, radio. Using an app such as TuneIn Radio, one of the best radio apps available, you can experience music and talk shows from all across the world in dozens of different languages, with more than 100,000 stations to choose from. If you’re studying a foreign culture, it’s one way of bringing a taste of it into the classroom. With a tablet, only your imagination can limit its potential. I hope this information will enable you to explore more of what a tablet or what we call an Ipad can be able to accomplish.

Kugonza Nicholas is an IT Professional, a teacher out of Practice, with experience spanning over 10 years, 5 of which with KAWA. Nicholas has a passion for empowering young people and participating in social causes.

7. Learn the basics of programming Is the next Mark Zuckerberg hiding in your class? Students are being encouraged to get coding earlier than ever, and), Tynker is one of the best ways of teaching . 19

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

Innovation in the Classroom:

Why Education Needs to Be More Innovative. By Phil McKinney Education is the foundation of our economy. What (and how) we learn in school determines who we become as individuals and our success throughout our lives. It informs how we solve problems, how we work with others, and how we look at the world around us. In today’s innovation economy, education becomes even more important for developing the next generation of innovators and creative thinkers. However, there is a significant gap between the potential of modern education and what many students are actually learning. The adoption and exploration of innovative ideas in education is often slow. Instead, many educators still cling to old and increasingly ineffective methods of teaching. But as the great poet William Butler Yeats once said: Using innovative teaching methods to better serve students and to teach them about the benefits of innovative thinking, does so much more than just “fill the pail.” It ignites a passion for learning and provides students with the tools they need to succeed in the innovation economy. Let's look at some of the ways that innovation can improve education.

Here are some of the clear benefits of using technology in the classroom: It makes learning interesting and engaging, especially for younger generations raised on the latest technology.

Benefits of Technology in the Classroom There's quite a bit of evidence that technology, when used in the right way, helps students learn. One study, for example, showed that a medical school class with iPads scored 23% higher on exams than classes without this device. Technology, such as tablets, isn't only useful for absorbing knowledge; it helps with communication as well. Teachers and administrators use such devices to send materials and information to students and parents. Students hand in homework and term papers online and can access educational applications and programs to further assist with learning.

It helps to build technology-based skills, allowing students to learn, early on, to embrace and take advantage of the tools technology offers.

It allows for faster and more efficient delivery of lessons, both in the classroom and at home. It reduces the need for textbooks and other printed material, lowering long-term costs incurred by schools and students. It makes collaboration easier. Students, teachers, and parents can communicate and collaborate more effectively.

Finding Innovative Applications of Technology While technology, in and of itself, does not always spur innovation in the classroom, there are countless innovative ways to use technology to better teach and engage students. Here are some examples: Robots in the Classroom – South Korean schools have experimented with robot teachers. This makes lessons more interesting and entertaining for kids and enables teachers

from anywhere in the world to be “present” in the classroom. Mobile Technology Smartphones and other mobile devices are increasingly used in education. Mobile apps let teachers conduct digital polls, enhance ve bal and presentation skills, and incorporate technological skills with core competency lessons. 3D Learning – Kids enjoy 3D games and movies, so why not use this technology to help them learn? GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai does just this, providing students with a 3D lab that offers Interactive multimedia presentations. Assisting Special Needs St dents – Assistive technology is especially useful for students with learning disabilities. For example, phonetic spelling software helps dyslexic students and others with reading problems to convert words to the correct spelling. Innovations in Teaching Methods When we think of innovation nowadays, we usually think of technology. However, in a field such as education, it's just as important to focus on innovations in areas such as child psychology, learning theories, and teaching methods. This is particularly true at a time when many educators believe that the U.S. education system is failing. There are quite a few areas where innovations in education will help improve the system for everyone. GO TO NEXT PAGE 20

ICT Clubs in Uganda, 2018

Innovation in the Classroom - Continued -

Focus on STEM – It's important for educators to prepare students for the future by empowering them with the foundational skills they need to succeed later in life. This includes focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), where the United States is currently ranked 31st in the world. Addressing the Needs of Individual Students – Another longstanding problem in education is the one-size-fits-all approach. It’s well known that everyone has different styles of learning. Some students are visual learners, while others are verbal or auditory learners. Technology allows teachers to individualize lesson plans to different students and their unique styles of learning. Practical Education and Soft Skills – One criticism of education is that it's impractical and doesn't prepare students for living in the real world. When it comes to actually teaching students how to become innovative thinkers, they need to learn leadership skills, to be encouraged to think creatively, and to be taught independent thinking and learning. Innovative classrooms are beginning to place more emphasis on the soft skills needed to thrive in today’s world. Analytics in Education Big data and analytics now dominate the world of business, but analytics can also have a major impact on education.

Data can help educators better understand their students' needs and more easily identify areas for improvement. Just as businesses use analytics to assess the results of marketing campaigns or to obtain information about their audience, educators can use data to determine the effectiveness of teaching methods and get a more granular view of who their students are and what they need to be successful. Data helps to take the guesswork out of educational innovation. Learning analytics can also help schools measure the effectiveness and performance of teachers.

INNOVATION BYTES IN PICTURES

Student of Arua SS sharing his handiwork at apps addressing environmental issues.

The Future of Education

Technology and other changes in society demand innovation in education. While many schools face challenges such as underfunding, unengaged students, and outdated curriculums, innovation offers a path forward. Innovation isn’t just important for businesses. In many ways, education stands to benefit the most from both utilizing and teaching innovation in the classroom. By exploring new and better ways to educate students and also teaching the skills students need to become innovators themselves, today’s educators can have a tremendous impact on the future of our world.

Lira Town School is already a household name in the world of ICT for Innovation. Here one of them shares his exploits in robotics and housing.

Source: www.philmckinney.com Phil McKinney is an American businessman who is CEO of CableLabs. McKinney was CTO of Hewlett-Packard’s Personal Systems Group. He is an author] and hosts a podcast. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_McKinney

The Girls of Bishop Kivengere, like Lira Town School have already given a shot at Technovation Challenge. We look forward to wonders from the hills of Kabale too and all the other Schools with clubs involved in the UCC Pilot Project.

Great things are already silently happening in this grand school, Mbarara High School. We look forward to their innovation. .