Proposed ICT Syllabus for Primary Schools Curriculum in Uganda

Dear members and all our stakeholders and followers,

The Primary School Curriculum in Uganda does not include ICT or Computer Studies as a subject, but due to increased need and trends in other countries especially in the developed countries, many schools are teaching ICT as an extra curricula activity. There is no standard guiding syllabus for primary schools to teach ICT.

The ICT Teachers Association has now established a forum for several teachers of ICT in primary schools to suggest and discuss a suitable syllabus to use. It is intended to introduce learners to computers and provide them with skills, which they can use in their schoolwork, in further education and in future employment.

ICT is a critical and topical issue in the modern times and a key requirement for engaging in the 21st century. Since the world is moving technological, it supports the teaching and learning process across all subjects by providing a wide range of resources while preparing learners for the future. ICT not only contributes to the development of critical thinking, creativity, invention and innovation, but also to practical performance and functional application of knowledge and skills. ICT helps the learner to apply knowledge and skills to provide individual and community needs and solve problems in everyday life.

AIMS OF THE PROPOSED PRIMARY SCHOOL ICT SYLLABUS

The proposed syllabus aims to:

• develop in pupils an interest in and enjoyment of the many uses of computers
• develop in pupils an awareness of computer technology and its role in society
• develop in pupils an appreciation of the use of computers in solving a wide variety of problems in information and communication technology
• help pupils acquire computer skills and knowledge which can be applied in future training or studies
• develop an appreciation of different computer applications
• encourage creativity and logical thinking.

METHODOLOGY

A pupil-centered approach is essential. This is a hands-on process approach involving problem identification and problem solving using the computer. The hands-on process approach stimulates curiosity and encourages learners to be innovative. With this approach the development of concepts and skills is achieved simultaneously in the learning activities.

Some of the participatory and pupil centered methods that could be used to teach computer studies include:

• Demonstration and observation
• Hands on Practice
• Discussion
• Question and answer
• Group work
• Discovery and experimentation
• Research
• Field trips
• Project work
• Visual display
• Games
• Use of audiovisual media

TIME ALLOCATION

The allocation of time (in periods) caters for 2 periods a week of 30 minutes each for each term. It is assumed that there will be ten weeks of effective teaching

At least 1hour per week per class should be allocated to computer lessons.

PROPOSED SYLLABUS OUTLINE CLASS BY CLASS (P1-P7)

Primary One (P1)

P1	TOPIC	SUB TOPICS
TERM1	INFORMATION	Definition of Information Sources of Information Types of Information Information on a television and radio
TERM2	COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY	Definition of Communication and Technology Technology tools used for creating and communicating information Sender Message Channel Receiver Communicating with a phone
TERM3	INTRODUCTION TO ICT DEVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN	Educative and simple game apps on smartphones or tablets like the EduTab such as Zoolingo, Flow Free, Marble Math Multiplication, Mazes & More ABCmouse, Epic Reading App, Hungry Caterpillar Play School, Nkoza & Nankya (a 3D Animated Children’s Video and Book Series, Fostering a Love for Reading, Creativity and Storytelling)

Primary Two (P2)

TERM1	MOUSE SKILLS	Pointing (moving mouse cursor) Single left Click for selecting items Dragging mouse to draw shapes using paint brush Right Clicking Double Clicking Scrolling Use of Games Applications to reinforce mouse skills
TERM2	KEYBOARD SKILLS 1	Keyboarding Skills Typing letters of the alphabet using Notepad Using numeric keys to type numbers using Notepad Using spacebar and backspace keys
TERM3	INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)	Definition of ICT Uses of ICT in Society Using Simple ICT Tools (Phone, TV with remote, Radio)

Primary Three (P3)

TERM1	THE COMPUTER SYSTEM	Definition of a Computer Parts of a computer Switching on a computer Interacting with a computer (Start Menu, Icons, Opening, Minimizing, Maximizing, Closing Windows
TERM2	DRAWINGS AND GRAPHICS	Start Using a Drawing/Painting Application Create a new drawing Drawing Tools Manipulate, Format of Images & Drawings Saving images and using them
TERM3	KEYBOARD SKILLS 2	Typing of words using the home, bottom and qwerty rows keys. Combining of upper and lower case characters in typing Use of basic text application like WordPad to type text

Primary Four (P4)

TERM1	COMPUTER HARDWARE	Categories of Computer Hardware (Input, output, storage, processing and communication tools) A list of hardware devices per category
TERM2	COMPUTER SOFTWARE	Definition of Computer Software System vs Application Software Examples of Application and System software Functions of an operating system
TERM3	WORD PROCESSING	Starting with a Word Processing Application Types of Documents Basic Text Formatting Basic Paragraph Formatting Copy and Move Use of pictures and graphics in a document Document Layout Printing

Primary Five (P5)

TERM1	FILE MANAGEMENT	Booting and Exploring a computer Files and Folders Creating,  Renaming, Sorting, Copying, Moving, Deleting Files and Folders Common File types
TERM2	PRESENTATIONS 1	Start with a presentations application Using Presentations Basic data editing/formatting to a slide Using, formatting images & objects Insert images and objects Use multimedia and animation effects to a presentation Presentation of a slide show
TERM3	SPREADSHEETS	Starting with a Spreadsheet Application Using Spreadsheets/Workbooks & Worksheets Basic Data Editing Format Cell Contents Use Formulas and Functions Pie Charts/Graphs Printing Worksheets

Primary Six (P6)

TERM1	DESKTOP PUBLICATIONS	Introduction to desktop publishing Using a template and blank page to create a different publications (Birthday Card, Flyer, Success Card, Certificate etc), Adding content (shapes, images and text) and produce a publication, also adjusting measurement units (inches, centimeters). • Saving a publication as a PDF and printing
TERM2	PROGRAMMING FOUNDATIONS	Introduction to Programming Familiarizing with Programming Applications for kids such as those on the smile-pi (smile-pi.github.io): Blockly Games, Snap!, Turtle Academy, Code Monster, etc. Programming With Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) Familiarising with MicroWorlds and the Logo Programming Language to create and share interactive games, perform mathematical experiments, explore science simulations and write multimedia stories.
TERM3	INTERNET	Basic Internet Concepts Starting with a Web Browsing Application Finding Information on the Internet Using Favorites / Bookmarks

Primary Seven (P7)

TERM1	EMAIL and SOCIAL MEDIA	Creating an E-mail address Basic Use of Electronic Mail Messages Attachments Basics of Social Media Netiquette and Cyber security Fundamentals
TERM2	DIGITAL LIBRARIES FOR RESEARCH	Introduction to Digital Libraries (Online and Offline) Carry out academic research on Internet and other academic applications like “Encarta”, “Britannica”, RACHEAL, etc. Advanced Search Engine Strategies for Electronic, Digital or ICT based Information Resources Information Literacy and Evaluation
TERM3	ICT INTEGRATION IN OTHER SUBJECTS	Use of ICT to learn concepts other subjects eg  Locating places on a map, Presentation in class, Creating statistical charts from data Use audio and video recordings for Role play, narrations       Project work (Project of Integration)

NB: This syllabus is still a draft being discussed through our various ITAU forums listed at socialmedia.ictteachersug.net. To come up with this draft, we got ideas from what model schools like Ark Schools Naguru Campus and Dream Africa Schools are doing. We also considered the New NCDC Lower Secondary ICT Syllabus and the ECDL Syllabus for Kids.

 We request members to make an input to the discussion by posting comments on this page (below in the comment section. Primary School ICT Teachers are also requested to register with ITAU through this form and we shall keep you updated on all developments regarding teaching ICT in primary schools in Uganda.

Regards,

Rogers Mukalele

National Coordinator – ITAU 2018-2020

0776960740 / 0706060740