Soft Remote Learning Project
Location: Uganda (Mukono)
This project aims to resume learning for primary school students with no access to internet and tablets. After the COVID-19 outbreak, schools have been closed throughout Uganda. Urban schools that have sufficient funding have been able to provide education for their students(whose families are financially well-off enough to have tablets to access stable internet) access a through online learning. Students in rural schools, on the other hand, had to face an abrupt stop to learning. Furthermore, they need to compete in the same exams with their urban counterparts whose education has continued. This project aims to utilize schools as a hub that unites the community in trying times like this. Below is a breakdown of our process:
Preparations:
Inform members of partner communities about this project. We started this project with a good kick-off session with the communities involved. This will help us to have community involvement in the project early. It’s really important to be clear on who is doing tasks. Some of the activities we shall undertake during this exercise include: gather information about students (overall number, gender distributions, grade level, etc.),Tutors i.e members of each community who are available, capable and willing to tutor students.
We shall also share the inclusivity information. For example anyone who can read/write and has a proficient understanding of the materials of the corresponding grade level they wish to enroll in this program can participate in this program including children with disabilities, former students who dropped out of school, children that never had an opportunity to attend school, etc.
2. Give the list of tutor names to the teacher(s) of partner school
The tutor's job is to help students to learn and solve problems on their own. Tutors won't just give students answers but they will also help them to make progress in their learning. They will also be in charge of the entire learning process which include analysis, synthesis and evaluation of learners. To assist in actively becoming involved in the learning process, tutors help learners to:
Know the type of problem being solved.
Understand and use the vocabulary of the subject.
Practice the application of principles.
Realize that all learners make mistakes but that learning from one's mistakes is a very effective way to learn.
Perform the work themselves.
Verbalize what they have learned.
We shall have a thorough screening process in which character & personality, affinity for teaching, and past experience are taken into account. Tutors shall be interviewed face to face, and need to present a lesson in their interview. Our trained interviewers use this to assess their teaching ability, as well as what kind of learners they would be best suited to. They will also undergo an assessment before they begin tutoring, and learners' feedback will be regularly requested to ensure that parents and learners continue to have a great experience with our service and their tutor.
3. Based on the availability of the tutors and teachers, develop a timesheet. The time sheet will be showing which tutor is available, time scheduled and the day. Learners may choose to come in person or have their sessions remotely with our tutors i.e if they can afford to. If you are well and want to come in-person, please use precautions including hand-washing and keeping 3-6 feet of space around you when possible and the meeting should be in a recognized public place not at the home of the tutor.
Execution
General Guidelines: All ICT devices are open to use for educational purposes by members of the community (e.g. students, teachers, etc.) after going through the training session on how to correctly use the devices. Answers to the assignment questions will be handed to the parents the same time as the assignment questions are,however, parents should only give the answers to students after they finish the assignment
Process
Teachers will print out the assignment questions and the corresponding answer key
Parents would pick up the assignment and the answer key at school
Students complete the assignment
Parents grade the assignment/students self-check
If there are any questions that students need help with, follow the tutoring time table, find the tutor corresponding to the subject the student has a question with, Have their questions answered
Proceed to the next assignment
Support
We are trying to get funding for the desktops and printers that will be distributed to our partner schools. We have applied to the Uganda's Ministry of Education's funding for NGOs, but more support is needed. Furthermore, we want to implement this project as soon as possible, as the situation changes so rapidly.
Other needs: Volunteers
See more: https://maendeleofoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MaendeleoFoundation/
For more information, contact covid19@unmgcy.org