Despite the Kenyan government’s massive investment in the delivery of 1.2 million tablets to 21,637 public primary schools around the country at KSh30 billion, the intended digital learning revolution hit a major snag. The tablets initially mean’t for online learning and enhancement of education lie in various school cabinets, largely uneasily used because of inadequate teacher exposure to computer usage. This issue underscores a critical gap in the implementation of digital education which is a necessity of proper teacher training.
The Current Situation
According to Maxwell Kayesi, an ICT teacher at Karuri High School, there was a necessity for preliminary training of teachers before the new technology. While addressing a digital pedadogy training exercise, he noted that lack of training for teachers had been a major challenge to effective use of the tablets. “Start by training the teachers first as the gadgets come in. They will know how to use them so that they will be able to teach,” Kayesi said.
Training Initiatives and Challenges
James Mwangi, working with a charity organization that offers computer training services to schools, highlighted the effort put in by his team in closing this gap. To this day, they have trained teachers from over 40 different schools in different regions ranging from Eastern, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Mombasa, Kajiado, Kakamega and Kiambu County. These efforts have impacted more than 40,000 learners at the already established e-learning centers.
The fact however, remains that a good number of schools are still suffering in terms of lack of proper ICT systems. The head teacher of Kigumo Mbendera High School, James Waithaka, was of the view that such systems were important. “Through the donations of computers and training, we are going to get an opportunity to embrace the technology that is coming in for learning meant for the students to benefit,” Waithaka said.
The Importance of Teacher Training
The real challenge is clear: it’s not going to be technology alone driving real educational change. Teachers should be trained to be confident in their use of digital devices if they are going to utilize it effectively in their teaching. This idea was echoed by Waithaka, who believes the integration of technology into schools will not only motivate learners to enhance effectiveness but also teachers. “When you have an e-learning center, learners are motivated and the teachers will effectively deliver and impart more knowledge very fast,” he explained.
Case Studies and Success Stories
The benefits are clearly illustrated where training for teachers has been taken seriously in schools. This lifting of students’ attitude to learn and improve is also exemplified in schools where e-learning centers have been put up through charity work. This is merely a taste and a glimpse of what technology and adequate teacher training could achieve or do.
Recommendations and Way Forward
To ensure the success of the digital learning initiative, the following recommendations are proposed:
- Comprehensive Teacher Training Programs: Country-wide training programs need to be in place to orient teachers on the usage of digital tools. Training needs to be continuous and adaptive to technological changes.
- Infrastructure Development: Build and maintain ICT infrastructure in schools, including e-learning centers, and ensure internet connectivity.
- Ongoing Support and Mentorship: Establish support systems where trained teachers can mentor their peers and provide ongoing assistance. This will help in building a sustainable digital learning environment.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Have periodic After-Control-Events within schools to signal the identification of areas of difficulty and challenge in using digital tools. Feedback from teachers and students should be channeled into improving training programs and technology deployments.