The TTE Sandbox developed with the 5 National Teacher Training Colleges (NTCs) clearly answered the needs that arose from the closure of schools in March 2020. The action focused on ensuring communication between college and students, piloting new ways of results-based management and improving 21st century skills of lecturers so that they are able to ensure the continuity of learning.
In 2020 we radically focused on ICT in Teaching & Learning and in management practices, an unprecedented move in the educational system in Uganda.
• The TTE sandbox was launched to ensure that communication is maintained between NTC management, staff and students with a bulk SMS system, complemented with an annual video conference subscription for each college. (Zoom)
• A series of Community of Practice (CoP) sessions (20) and ICT masterclasses (4) were organized, showcasing new digital tools.
• A ‘Help-desk’ was established; a peer-to-peer support system that consist of lecturers from each of the NTCs.
• A virtual hackathon and a screen-casting challenge were organized to stimulate the lecturers’ involvement to use the different technologies to design their digital lessons. When the lesson content is developed, it is then uploaded to a one-stop portal for easy access.
• E-learning courses where launched on General Teaching Methods (1) and on Institutional Development (5)
The Study on E-learning readiness conducted in NTCs, with IPSOS in December 2020 demonstrated how effective the TTE Sandbox Strategy was in supporting the NTC lecturers to ensure the continuity of learning in Uganda:
• 62% of students indicated that they participated in distance learning (77% for Year 2, 47% for Year 1);
• 77% of the NTC lecturers were able to access the one stop portal where all resources for distance teaching were uploaded. 56% rated it as extremely useful.
• 60% of the lecturers accessed the help desk, composed of ICT Champions and ATL Mentors, and 98% found it useful in facilitating e-learning.
Tools from the Sandbox (e.g. Moodle and Padlet) have been spreading to 7 other training institutions & Enabel partner countries (Morocco, Rwanda, Burundi and Mozambique).
Visit the one stop portal: https://padlet.com/teachertraininguganda/Sandbox (Zero-rated through a partnership with MTN)
A General Methods e-learning course that is completely free, open, and accessible for all. (Access the course: http://www.bit.ly/GeneralTeachingMethods)
Five e-learning courses where launched on organizational development. (Contact elizabeth.nkwasire@enabel.be for access)
