You can empower 20 enthusiastic teachers in Ghana's government schools to teach Scratch and HTML! They in turn guide over 200 junior high school students in computational thinking, creative expression, and basic programming through our after school clubs. The project provides 3 training sessions, ongoing support, and other resources for 10 after school clubs through the year, a fun and educational coding challenge, and connectivity to share their projects with the world.
Fewer than 15% of students in our programs have regular access to a smartphone or the internet. However, information communication technology (ICT) is a required subject in the Ghana curriculum. Additionally, most schools lack the resources to teach practical technology skills to their students, even if they are knowledgeable. Thus, most students simply memorize ICT content without a fundamental understanding of the power and creativity afforded by the broader field in this information age.
Through a partnership with the Ghana Code Club, we will provide training and support to an additional 20 teachers in basic coding, starting with Scratch, then moving on to HTML. Teachers are required to demonstrate self-learning and mastery before guiding our students, and cohorts receive additional support from GCC and our own veteran teachers through the year. Teachers and students have access to the tablet computers granted previously to learn about coding in a creative and collaborative way.
On a basic level, this training encourages teachers to become empowered to learn on their own, a trait that benefits their students, no matter what the subject matter. Secondly, we will create peer learning cohorts where teachers who are more proficient can guide and support others, which students will model after. Thirdly, this program will introduce problem solving skills to students, and allow them to create stories through Scratch, and content and styles that are culturally appropriate.
