Technology in Ethiopian Schools: Connecting Children From Various Cultures
By Judit Szente
The project of integrating technology in Ethiopian schools was a result of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This project was originated to use technology as a means to improve primary education in Ethiopia and was led by Dr. James L. Hoot of the University of Buffalo. It all began in 2002 when two schools in the capital of Ethiopia were chosen to be a part of this project. These two schools were chosen because they were the poorest and had the least support. The typical teacher to student ration in these schools 1:60. A third school was later added because of the success of the project. The USAID provided these three schools with computer labs equipped with: 32 computers, printers, scanners, projectors, digital cameras, camcorders, and Internet access. Teachers were also provided with computer training and technology coordinators were trained so that to ensure ongoing support for the lab. After getting accustomed to working with technology computers were no longer intimidating to these country side people. Teachers became eager to present their projects and therefore students became eager to learn.
In the school year of 2004-2005 the students at these schools were assigned to create a power point presentation about themselves. The projects included everything from their families, hobbies, homes, culture, and traditions. Having these students work on such projects really provided them with the skills they need to be able to work in the 21st century. My favorite part of this whole articles was that a classroom in New York was also assigned to do an identical project with the intention to share with the students in Ethiopia. Students from both the United States and Ethiopia were able to see each others work. This assignment is perfect for students to learn about different cultures and countries.
I would love to do something like this in my classroom. One thing that can be done as an assignment after watching all the power points is to have the students compare and contrast their lives from lives of students in another country. Another thing that can be done is to have a "pen pal" from another country but in this case it can be done through instant messaging. The Internet really makes it possible for students to communicate with anyone in the world. Doing an assignment like this is a good way to celebrate every ones similarities and differences.
Even Recess Can't Beat Technology
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"Who Are Today's Learners?" is the question that Christine Greenhow asks in
her article regarding how students feel about technology use in the
classroom. ...
16 years ago
I like the whole idea too, but what surprised me more was the conditions of the classroom. It is amazing how technology can improve education, and it even opened a new school. That is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis article is proof that the benefits of technology outweigh the drawbacks. It is amazing how we are able to easily connect with people from around the world. Teachers should definitely consider setting up their students with other students from a different country. Speaking to students from a foreign place will expose them to cultural diversity. This connection will give students a better perspective in other people's lives and their own lives. Education should be more than learning from books and setting up lessons plans; it should be about opening up students minds about the world outside of their own.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most interesting about the article was the 1:60 teacher to student ratio in Ethiopia. In my opinion, that is unacceptable for elementary, middle, and high school-aged children. During these educational periods, students need more attention and guidance from their educators.
That sounds like an amazing project! It's incredible to think of the kind of impact that sending some new technology over can have. It's hard to imagine being disconnected from the internet in the Ethopian countryside and suddenly being able to communicate with people around the world. With the use of the widespread use of the internet, it's actually surprising to me that we don't have global interactive classrooms. Imagine if students could interact with a student in another country in order to exchange language learning. This would allow them to learn so much more than what is in a textbook or a lecture.
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