NEWS: UCC partners with KAWA in formation of ICT Clubs in schools

Using its Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) program, UCC has engaged Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA)  to facilitate the formation of school ICT CLUBs.

This is a pilot project based on research made by partner universities for 1 year in 20 selected schools country wide. It is a scalable project that is projected to reach more schools in future.

Some of the main activities being undertaken in this program include training of enrolled club members, arranging a visit by an ICT innovator to mentor the members, coordinating the launch of the club and donating some items to the club to facilitate its operations, such as internet bundles, assorted stationery, 100 club t-shirts, and two tablets provided by UCC. See UCC letter below:

This program has already been held in a number of schools such as Maryhill High school – Mbarara, PMM Girls school Jinja, Masaka SS, St. Mary’s Rushoroza and Maryhill High school. Preparations are also on for the launch of the ICT club at Dabani Girls School in Busia – where, as a follow up activity to teachers who attended the recent Tooling and Retooling Teachers workshop at Mbale SS, the KAWA team will also support teachers to upload their school websites online for free.

See details in this  see details (246 downloads ) or contact Mr. Wamanga Moses, the KAWA national chairman and  program coordinator.

Below are some of the photos.

 

 

 

How to run a club and ensure its sustainability and benefits

Access to information has a direct link to the development and well being of a school, a community, a city and indeed a nation. Below is a very rough guideline that your school can follow to set up their own ICT Club.

This guide can be used by students, teachers, service providers or parents.

1. Set up a competent committee. Clubs cannot be run by one person. Create a club with positions that will be filled with responsible students, defined as loyal, smart, and hardworking. These members will plan, build, organise and run your ICT club.

2. Get good club members. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Here you want students who are serious and hardworking and not students who want to join the club so as to watch Youtube movies or Whatsapp calling.

3. Find a club patron. A club patron’s role is to guide your ICT club to realise your set goals and direction. Naturally you must look for a person who has a natural liking for ICT.

You want someone with an interest in the club activities. Someone who will enjoy spending time listening to your plans and someone who will devote sometime helping you get the information you want as you set up and run your club.

4. Request for written permission from the schools administration otherwise you will be in trouble. They carry the bag. Clearly communicate your club’s activity, objectives, mission and vision, which can be in your club constitution or policy.

5. Convince others to join. Once the club is running, all of the work rests in the officials of the club hands. Keep convincing other students to join, since clubs are dynamics (others come and others go).

6. Capacity building: Organise various training sessions to empower members. Training such as communication skills, presentation skills, computer usage skills, interview and CV writing skills, video editing skills, web design, blog, creating of business documents, software installation, basic computer troubleshooting skills are vital for ICT club members.

Invite skilled professionals from various sectors via your facilitator or patron to access critical information about ICT area and opportunities.

7. Active participation: Students quit clubs that are boring and have no meaningful activities that are interactive and stimulating. Keep the club active, have scheduled club meeting days with defined agendas.

Assign roles and duties to club members. Use such forum to educate non-club members about your activities and encourage them to join. Conduct competitions and offer prizes such as air time and calculators. Also participate in national and international competitions where possible. Last but not least you will need to have the ICT hardware, software and in some instances an internet connection.

 

Sample ICT Club Constitution / Policy

The Convent High School ICT Club Policy: Adapted from: http://www.conventhighschool.org/about-chs/clubs/ict-club

Club Patron /Staff

Ms. Natasha Nation

Vision

To enable ICT proficient students, for ICT lies at the core of every organization today. Our vision is also to be more than just observers of technological development. Rather, we must create technological catalysts in our own environment.

Mission

The club aims to improve the ICT skills of its members by nurturing their creative and programming skills, and sharpening their research and presentation skills. The club also aims to promote innovation among its members as they seek out technological solutions to problems that may arise in a school environment

Goals and Objectives

    • To help students develop an appreciation for the role of ICT in today’s society.
    • To guide members in computer ethics
    • To develop policies concerning the use of technology at school.
    • To improve members design skills.
    • To provide a fun and interactive approach to ICT.
    • To improve members’ programming skills.
    • To raise awareness and promote the use of technology as a teaching/learning aid.
    • To improve members’ internet authoring skills.
  • To help students develop as innovative beings who will see problems and create solutions.
  • To help other students become competent and confident users of ICT through training sessions.

Membership

Students from 2nd to 4th form are invited to join the club. Students may not be doing ICT as a Csec subject, however they must demonstrate keen interest in any area of ICT. The club will have a maximum of 30 students. Membership will open for new members as students enter 5th form and make their exit from the club.

Membership Fee

Members are expected to contribute $5.00 monthly. Contributions will provide supplies needed for effective running of the club. For example, a group focusing on building a miniature network may need to buy CAT5 cable and RJ45 plugs.

Meeting Day

Wednesday 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm