April web

EDUCATION
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Management systems (LMS), where
the teachers upload learning resources
and learners can access learning
materials from home; do assignments;
examinations; teachers mark and post
results on the LMS.
Some teachers may send lesson
notes via emails to learners; use blogs;
pbwikis; or use conferencing software
like zoom; Skype; blue jean while others
may post lesson notes on teacher or
class websites. Such digital tools engage
learners remotely in active learning.
However, most of the digital tools
available are not easily used in 3rd world
countries like Uganda because of teacher
skill gaps, internet connectivity problems
and lack of resources to use in real time
online teaching (synchronous) or non-real
time online teaching (asynchronous). The
“
As teachers in developing
countries, it’s time to
experiment with such
digital tools in teaching.
We need to rediscover
what tools we can use as
teachers. Simple to use
tools like twitter, sending
emails of notes and
assignments...
“
good news for teachers in Uganda is that
we can share notes on parent’s phones
which are on Whatsapp and we can
use other web 2.0 tech tools which are
free online. It’s high time we developed
teaching blogs where all notes of a
given subject can be posted and shared
with the students. Such blogs can be
accessible to students using the smart
phones of parents (M-learning) to reach
out to learners in a virtual classroom.
Pbwikis, teaching websites for teachers
and teaching groups on social media like
Facebook are also good.
Most learners especially those in
upper levels of education institutions
are already using social media, such
a chance, can be exploited and with
millennial learners, they will find it
exciting to learn even better. As teachers
in developing countries, it’s time to
experiment such digital tools in teaching.
We need to rediscover what tools we
can use as teachers and parents. Simple
to use tools like twitter, sending emails
of notes and assignments, Facebook
learning groups, Whatsapp, posting
lesson notes on subject website (there
are free website making on-line tools);
which are less costly can be utilised. In my
search for localized digital resources for
schools, I found Kampala Smart School
(www.kampalasmartschool.com) which
has helpful resources for primary schools.
You can make use of it during this forced
school break. The beauty with it is that it
can be used offline.
The phenomenon of remote teaching
may pose challenges to teachers but it’s
vital as teachers to come to terms with the
global trends and embrace the education
shift. This shift from physical classroom
with walls teaching to online teaching
will be a new experience but digital skills
are vital in implementing the new lower
secondary curriculum. Also, as parents
during the current school break, we need
to engage in some play with the children
at home in addition to encourage them
to involve in pleasure reading which has
many educational, intellectual and social
emotional benefits.
Moreover, parents/guardians should have
some time for a creative, child-led project
that helps children to explore facts. Ask
your child to research on a particular
topic in any subject. e.g. you may turn
the kitchen into a lab and have your child
explore the science behind cooking.
Or, by asking your child to interview
family members and investigate the
details of the family story making personal
history. This will keep the children
engaged during this forced stay at home.
APRIL 2020
31
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