EXPERIENCES WITH THE XO IN GHANA

MEMBERS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Four people selected from below-mention ministries:

MoESS AITI- KACE MoFEP GICTED

Suzanne Buchele – Fulbright-ASHESI UNIVERSITY

ORIENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

• A five day country meeting of OLPC partner countries in Cambridge. November 2007

SELECTION OF SCHOOLS

Two schools selected from two regions.• Kanda Primary in Accra ( pupils from poor

homes)

• Bonsaasso primary in Ashanti Region (very remote village with un-motorable road, no social amenities)

. PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION

Pilot preparation

Laptop deployment

Programme support

PILOT PREPARATION

Information gathering in schools and community

1. Number of pupils in the classkanda (39), Bonsaaso (45)

2. Total schools enrolmentKanda(213 ) , Bonsaaso (250 )

3. Children with previous contact with a computerKanda ( 5), Bonsaaso (1 )

4. Identify contact points within the community

5. Explained initiative to the local community

PILOT PREPARATION

Infrastructure:

1. Electricity and connectivity needs

2. Classroom block and storage for server

3. Adequate classroom furniture

4. General security features that have to be improved

PILOT PREPARATION

Preparation of project document

Highlights

1.objectives of the pilot

2. expected outcomes of the pilot

3.the five OLPC principles

4. general workplan

5.scope of the pilot, etc

PILOT PREPARATION

Estimated cost of the pilot

1. Kanda =GH¢5,060

2. Bonsaaso =GH¢10,454

*Cost of pilot funded by OLPC Inc. and Government of Ghana.

PILOT PREPARATION

Preparation of pre-assessment and post-assessment for teachers

Administration of pre-teachers assessment

Post-teacher assessment to be administered at the end of the pilot

PILOT PREPARATION

Training of 4 teachers in the following aspect of technology in education.

1. Overview of OLPC

2. Highlights of the XO

3. Teaching with technology

4. Project-base learning

5. Software applications on the XO

6. The role of the teacher and classroom dynamics as regards OLPC

7. Care and maintenance of the XO

PILOT PREPARATION

Setting up of infrastructure

1. Construction of cabinet

2. Installation of electrical works

3. Trunking for network cables

4. Installation of wireless network in the classroom

5. Installation and configuration of server

Laptop deployment

Awareness creation for parents/guardian1. Rational behind the pilot

2. Expected outcomes

3. The role of the parent and the community

4. Care, maintenance and security at home

Signing of signature sheet for parents to acknowledge receipt of the laptop by the ward

LAPTOP DEPLOYMENT

28th Febuary,2008 (day of deployment) in Kanda

1. 39 pupils were given laptops on the basis of one laptop per child.

2. Two laptops were given to the class teacher and the headmistress.

3. Pupils identify their laptop by the unique colours and serial numbers assign to them

4. Each laptop registered to the server by mac-filtering

LAPTOP DEPLOYMENT

• Deployment in Bonsaaso - four months after Kanda due to power challenges.

PROGRAMME SUPPORT

Weekly visit to the school to provide support in1. Integrating the XO in teaching and learning

2. Application usage

3. General technical support

1. Installation of applications

2. Updating of software

3. Fixing of network problems

4. Maintenance of operating system

5. Wireless connectivity issues

6. Electrical problems, etc.

CHALLENGES

High cost/unavailability of Internet connectivity.

Lack of digitized content align with the curriculum

Logistics for implementation

Apathy from some officials.

IMPACT OF XO IN THE GHANAIAN CLASSROM

• First time of children to touch a computer• New ways for self expression• Unveiling of hidden talent among pupils• Literacy and numeracy skills improved• Keeps teacher abreast with new ways of

teaching and learning.• Extended hours of learning for pupils, punctuality

and decreased absenteeism • Ripple effect on parents.

WAY FORWARD

Extended period of training for teachers on integration of XO in teaching and learning

More community awareness on OLPC initiative

Digitized content or software should be given a priority

Detail technical training for implementation team

Localization of keyboard for Ghanaian lang.

RELATED PROBLEMS

Problems so far with beta version of the XO

1. EC error (technical )

2. some laptop screen divided into two

3. Few mouse sensitivity problems as a result of over scrubbing.

4. batteries running down in short interval.

SCENES FROM THE PILOT

PUPILS ENVIOUS ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS USING XO

CONCLUSION

• LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION