It’s heartbreaking to see how resource challenged some children are. That’s what I felt when I saw the pictures of a teacher drawing a computer onto a blackboard with chalk.
But then I delighted at the brilliance of Richard Appiah Akoto, a middle school teacher in rural Ghana. He is surely a master of priceless skills such as improvisation and creative thinking.
But then I delighted at the brilliance of Richard Appiah Akoto, a middle school teacher in rural Ghana. He is surely a master of priceless skills such as improvisation and creative thinking.
Richard Appiah Akoto drawing a Windows computer screen on a blackboard
In a series of three photographs which became an Internet sensation, the 33 year-old Mr. Akoto is seen teaching his class how to use Microsoft Word on a blackboard, as his students copy his handiwork into their paper notebooks.
Why, you might ask, would you bother teaching computer skills to students with no computers? The answer is, in order to advance to high school the pupils must pass an exam that includes Information and Communication Technology.
My business partner, Mark Robilliard, has always reminded me not to get too caught up in our shiny teaching props, designed as they are by a top U.S. design agency and manufactured on high tech equipment.
Channeling the spirit that Mr Akoto would endorse, Mark keeps me grounded when he says, “We have to be able to teach the principles of finance with a stick in a paddock.”
Do what it takes. Keep it simple. Make it all about the learner.
That’s what I take from those wonderful photos of the indomitable Mr Akoto.
Peter
Why, you might ask, would you bother teaching computer skills to students with no computers? The answer is, in order to advance to high school the pupils must pass an exam that includes Information and Communication Technology.
My business partner, Mark Robilliard, has always reminded me not to get too caught up in our shiny teaching props, designed as they are by a top U.S. design agency and manufactured on high tech equipment.
Channeling the spirit that Mr Akoto would endorse, Mark keeps me grounded when he says, “We have to be able to teach the principles of finance with a stick in a paddock.”
Do what it takes. Keep it simple. Make it all about the learner.
That’s what I take from those wonderful photos of the indomitable Mr Akoto.
Peter
Closeup of Mr. Akoto drawing a Microsoft Word window on his chalkboard
RSS Feed
