Feeding the Need

1.6 Feeding the Need

A brief summary of the needs of my colleagues in technology integration professional development

Below is a summary of my colleagues technology integration needs

Majority of the teachers at school have only the basics of computer application; they can

Use Microsoft word processing for typing of examinations, writing comments on students’ report Forms-for the case of class teachers and senior lady/Matrons. And a few can afford power point presentation if guided by a knowledgeable person. Even the basic computer knowledge they have was acquired as a mandate to accomplish their task of report form preparation and exam setting.

A part from some science teachers who teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics, math, and some Geography teachers who explore the internet, or use the simulated science programs for

Teachers on the computer (Cyber Schools Uganda), Arts subject teachers do not understand technology –integrated teaching and learning. They believe in a lecture method or physical teacher-student interaction in a classroom where they go together with their books from the school library to the classroom. I.e. using traditional teaching methods.

A recommendation for meeting these needs

Providing personal computers (laptops) to all teachers. Laptops may be provided to teachers at a departmental level and owned by the school, or to be made available to all teachers through loans on the basis of a small monthly deduction from an individual teacher’s salary of which it becomes his/hers on completion of the payment. This can be arranged by the school administration for the case of privately owned schools or by the Ministry of Education for the case of government aided schools.

Motivate all teachers into ICT training by designing for them sometime within the teaching time table to practice computer literacy or to explore the internet with in the school setting for free with a computer trainer.

Training of all teachers in ICT without considering which subject they teach should be considered in order to initiate them in the new technology trends.

Internet should be provided at school at least for teachers, to enable them to learning as th

Internet should be provided at school at least for teachers, to enable them to learning as they are motivated to learning the new technologies.

Teachers need to be sensitized or made to change their attitude towards computer technology and

get rid of the fear of a computer mouse. Some teachers think that touching a key board is to spoil

what is already in the computer!