Goals | Needs Assessment | Best Practices | Resources | Email | Home | HIV/AIDS

General

- It is a good idea, especially in your first year, to avoid being a Register Teacher.

- Things take more time than you think.

ICT Related

- Linux is a good idea.

- SchoolNet is your friend.

- Setup at least one computer in the teachers' lounge if you can.

- Consider teaching classes in double periods.

- Computer classes for learners below grade 8 are especially challenging because the learners are struggling to learn English. Pictures and other media are necessary to make sure the learners are able to understand rules that prevent damage to the computers.

- Setting aside one day after school for learners to practice is advisable and popular with the learners.

- Setup an after school schedule for the computer lab. Set aside days to teach/tutor teachers, community, and learners. (Keep Friday afternoon as a time to rest and fix things!)

- Encourage local teachers to co-teach computer workshops and teach learner classes. The practice does wonders for their computer skills, knowledge and self-confidence.

- The computer lab and the Internet access can pay for themselves.

- Encourage any school considering offering ICT as a promotable subject to complete a thorough needs assessment first!

Time: Time moves slowly here in relation to projects. You will learn this quickly. Everything seems to take more time then would be expected and there are always unplanned demands on your time. You will be pressured to take on more projects and commit to things that you do not necessarily understand. Set personal boundaries early. Commit to fewer classes/projects than you think you can handle to start. You can always add more later. Individuals (teachers/learners) will appreciate you more if you have the time and inclination to help them personally. These tasks may not be the most time-effective way of having an impact, but they go a long way towards the PC goal of building goodwill between cultures.

SchoolNet: SchoolNet provides schools with computers and related equipment, including very nice circular tables, cables, routers, modems, etc. They also provide all required support for the computers they supply.

SchoolNet also provides Internet access at an affordable price. They have programs to help schools which cannot afford it.

Teachers' Lounge Computer: Although you cannot use a SchoolNet computer for this purpose (they provide computers for learner use), it is very helpful to you and your teachers if they have convenient access to a computer or two, outside of the computer lab. These computers will not eliminate the need for teachers to access the lab, but it will encourage the teachers to to enhance their skills. The teachers can use these computers, that learners do not access, for typing tests and other teaching materials.

Double Periods: Without a 1:1 computer to learner ratio, and with many novice learners, teaching a double period of computer class tends to increase learning. Just turning on the computers can take 15 minutes of a 40 minute period, and shutdown can be equally time consuming. Extending the computer class to two consecutive periods will leave more time for individuals to practice on the computers.

The computer lab can earn money: This is especially true in the rural areas. After school community classes and teacher classes can be conducted and they are well received. Class fees of N$5 to N$10 per class are acceptable. Community classes taught after school hours help to bring the community and the school together. Internet access can help to bring the community to the world. Teachers can help teach the community how to use computers and the Internet. Charging for classes and Internet access adds a sense of value to the services offered. Money brought in through these classes can assist the school to pay for things such as Internet access, ink, paper, etc.

Goals | Needs Assessment | Best Practices | Resources | Email | Home | HIV/AIDS