This is the second in our series of eight structural learning sessions. This week it was given to us by our team leader David and he chose to do it on the importance of ICT in development - specifically how it can aid in education. Focusing and highlighting the 'One Laptop per Child' campaign that is currently happening in Rwanda.
David began the session by giving us an overview about the different aspects of ICT and the general applications and roles that it plays in everyday life...
ICT in Day-to-Day Life:
"ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is
an umbrella term that includes any
communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular
phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so
on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such
as videoconferencing and distance learning."
Chandler, Daniel, Munday, Rod”
Information Technology
What are the applications of ICT?
ICT can be a great tool for development. For example in the last 10 years these technologies
have become commonplace...
- Personal Computers
- Mobile Phones
- Internet and Online Shopping
- Email and Social Networks
- Television
ICT has integrated to become part of all of our daily lives without us even noticing just how many aspects it impacts. The discoveries and invention have improved the speed of communication and help man fulfill his needs.
It has changed all aspects of live, but in-particular it has had a massive impact on education.
David then went on to highlight how ICT is used in education and how it has positively improved the way in which people learn. Further how this can be used in development to improve the lives of many more...
Use of ICT in the Classroom:
- Students use ICT as a resource - they use computers to browse through research for projects, as well as preparing projects to present and computer programs to enhance learning.
- Teachers use ICT as a research tool to help them to prepare lessons. They also use it as a way to communicate with other teachers through online forums and online conferences in order to compare and establish the best teaching techniques.
- School administrators use ICT in the running of the school - to make sure that everything goes smoothly and to be able to have a pupils details and records at a click of a button.
Following this David spoke about how ICT is being used as a development tool in Rwandan primary schools by introducing us to the 'One Laptop per Child' campaign...
The 'One Laptop per Child' Campaign:
This video has been taken from the Worldfocus youtube page - it was originally posted 5 years ago. However I feel that it still gives a great overview of what the project aims to complete as well as the massive changes it had already made in just the space of a few months!
The 'One Laptop per Child' campaign focuses at getting a laptop to every child who is of primary age in Rwanda. This project empowers the children and those around them by connecting them to the world outside and enhancing the ways in which they can learn. By the children learning the knowledge gets passed on to those around them in the community having an ever flourishing improvement.
Many of these children had never touched a computer before this project and now they are learning so fast - sometimes even faster than the teachers!
The computers are of a simple design however this has been used to an advantage and a focus on educational studies has been established. The children use them to enhance their English, Geography and Science through a series of programs installed on the devices.
Not only have these laptops given the children a new way to learn, they have also created a new love of learning and a motivation to go to school.
 |
| Children with their new laptops - taken from telegraph.co.uk |
This campaign has seen so many beneficial impacts throughout Rwanda and these will only continue to grow as more and more children get laptops.
It is clear that ICT can be used as a really effective tool for development and through the use of ICT the future will be a better and brighter place.
To find out more about this campaign go to Ministry of Education Rwanda - OLPC
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