230 likes | 318 Views
EXPERIENCES WITH THE XO IN GHANA. MEMBERS OF IMPLEMENTATION. Four people selected from below-mention ministries: MoESS AITI- KACE MoFEP GICTED Suzanne Buchele – Fulbright-ASHESI UNIVERSITY. ORIENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION TEAM.
E N D
MEMBERS OF IMPLEMENTATION Four people selected from below-mention ministries: • MoESS • AITI- KACE • MoFEP • GICTED Suzanne Buchele – Fulbright-ASHESI UNIVERSITY
ORIENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION TEAM • A five day country meeting of OLPC partner countries in Cambridge. November 2007
SELECTION OF SCHOOLS Two schools selected from two regions. • Kanda Primary in Accra ( pupils from poor homes) • Bonsaasso primary in Ashanti Region (very remote village with un-motorable road, no social amenities)
. PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION • Pilot preparation • Laptop deployment • Programme support
PILOT PREPARATION • Information gathering in schools and community • Number of pupils in the class kanda (39), Bonsaaso (45) • Total schools enrolment Kanda(213 ) , Bonsaaso (250 ) • Children with previous contact with a computer Kanda ( 5), Bonsaaso (1 ) • Identify contact points within the community • Explained initiative to the local community
PILOT PREPARATION • Infrastructure: • Electricity and connectivity needs • Classroom block and storage for server • Adequate classroom furniture • General security features that have to be improved
PILOT PREPARATION • Preparation of project document Highlights 1.objectives of the pilot 2. expected outcomes of the pilot 3.the five OLPC principles 4. general workplan 5.scope of the pilot, etc
PILOT PREPARATION • Estimated cost of the pilot • Kanda =GH¢5,060 2. Bonsaaso =GH¢10,454 *Cost of pilot funded by OLPC Inc. and Government of Ghana.
PILOT PREPARATION • Preparation of pre-assessment and post-assessment for teachers • Administration of pre-teachers assessment • Post-teacher assessment to be administered at the end of the pilot
PILOT PREPARATION • Training of 4 teachers in the following aspect of technology in education. • Overview of OLPC • Highlights of the XO • Teaching with technology • Project-base learning • Software applications on the XO • The role of the teacher and classroom dynamics as regards OLPC • Care and maintenance of the XO
PILOT PREPARATION • Setting up of infrastructure • Construction of cabinet • Installation of electrical works • Trunking for network cables • Installation of wireless network in the classroom • Installation and configuration of server
Laptop deployment • Awareness creation for parents/guardian • Rational behind the pilot • Expected outcomes • The role of the parent and the community • Care, maintenance and security at home • Signing of signature sheet for parents to acknowledge receipt of the laptop by the ward
LAPTOP DEPLOYMENT • 28th Febuary,2008 (day of deployment) in Kanda • 39 pupils were given laptops on the basis of one laptop per child. • Two laptops were given to the class teacher and the headmistress. • Pupils identify their laptop by the unique colours and serial numbers assign to them • Each laptop registered to the server by mac-filtering
LAPTOP DEPLOYMENT • Deployment in Bonsaaso - four months after Kanda due to power challenges.
PROGRAMME SUPPORT • Weekly visit to the school to provide support in • Integrating the XO in teaching and learning • Application usage • General technical support • Installation of applications • Updating of software • Fixing of network problems • Maintenance of operating system • Wireless connectivity issues • Electrical problems, etc.
CHALLENGES • High cost/unavailability of Internet connectivity. • Lack of digitized content align with the curriculum • Logistics for implementation • Apathy from some officials.
IMPACT OF XO IN THE GHANAIAN CLASSROM • First time of children to touch a computer • New ways for self expression • Unveiling of hidden talent among pupils • Literacy and numeracy skills improved • Keeps teacher abreast with new ways of teaching and learning. • Extended hours of learning for pupils, punctuality and decreased absenteeism • Ripple effect on parents.
WAY FORWARD • Extended period of training for teachers on integration of XO in teaching and learning • More community awareness on OLPC initiative • Digitized content or software should be given a priority • Detail technical training for implementation team • Localization of keyboard for Ghanaian lang.
RELATED PROBLEMS • Problems so far with beta version of the XO • EC error (technical ) • some laptop screen divided into two • Few mouse sensitivity problems as a result of over scrubbing. • batteries running down in short interval.
CONCLUSION • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION