Redefining Digital Literacy: Teaching Computer Skills With Just A Chalkboard

By Joanne Ainabyona

In 2023, the LeNoir Foundation, a UK-based 'for impact' organization, concluded the construction of a library at Saving Arms Primary School in Kampala, Uganda. While outfitting the facility with tables, chairs, and books, one essential element remained absent: computers. The only technology at hand was one computer owned by the school and another donated laptop.

Imagine teaching a computer class without any computers! That's what Esther Nakigudde, a 25 year-old community and social development graduate at Kyambogo University, and a supply teacher at Saving Arms Primary School, must deal with. So, she gets right down to it and uses some colorful chalk to draw and just one monitor to illustrate.

Esther's approach is genuinely inspiring, illustrating the extraordinary innovation and commitment exhibited by educators. These individuals perform akin to superheroes, profoundly transforming their students' educational experiences and equipping them for future challenges. They redefine the boundaries of education, making a significant impact on the lives of these children, not merely in the present, but extending indefinitely into the future.

Imparting computer skills to children is challenging enough; undertaking this without any actual computers adds a layer of complexity. Yet, this is the challenge Esther embraced in Uganda. Her inventive—and markedly labor-intensive—strategy involves elaborately depicting the computer or software interface on the blackboard. Over six weeks, she has been educating up to 50 children across three weekly classes.

"I was keen to teach them how to utilize a computer. However, in the presence of only one computer in the whole school, I had to improvise," she remarked during a recent telephone conversation with James Mawaka, the founder of the LeNoir Foundation. "Therefore, I opted to carry a monitor to each class to illustrate as I teach, and also sketched out keyboards, mouse, and so forth on the chalkboard".

"This practice has become routine whenever [I] am to teach and the one computer is free. I have to carry the monitor and all the other parts from the library to the classroom so that the children get to learn each and everything. Chance is always given to a few learners depending on the lesson time provided. For example, when it comes to practicing typing, not every learner gets a chance to do so in the lesson because we have only one monitor and therefore [it] can’t be used by all of them at the same time".

Choosing such a challenging route instead of conceding to the limitations showcases commendable dedication. More importantly, the children benefit immensely from having a teacher so committed to their education and subject matter. Even a basic understanding of computer literacy can significantly influence their futures.

Q&A with Esther:

Despite teaching computer skills without real computers, are your students able to adapt their knowledge when they finally get hands-on experience?

Yes, we need to first handle the theory part a little bit more, then we proceed with the practical part. They need to know at least some things about the computer before putting it into practice. Of course, teaching with a real computer would be easier for them.

Do your students have computers at home?

Most of them are less privileged and supported by the school so there is no way they could have a computer, the only chance they get to see and use it is at school.

Can a basic picture of a computer and mouse on a chalkboard effectively introduce children with limited access to technology to the digital world?

Yes, it can, but to a lower extent because they need them physically for better learning and practice.

How did your students react when you first began teaching computers without access to actual computers?

For the classes I have taught so far, I did not find any difficulties at all, even in the lower section today. I have taught primary three, but at least they seem to have an idea of what they are studying so it's at least not a tug of war.

So, you must draw a new screen every time you teach a class!

Yes. After the lesson I just take them to where the school computer is and show them. Maybe it needs to be carried to class, and I teach them as I show them, but most of the time it is in use.

What are your plans for your classes as the students start to grasp the fundamentals?

We see ourselves progressing, and learning more, and look forward to starting practicals soon. The moment we receive the computers, we shall be glad.

What do your students need the most?

My students need computers because theory is being taught, but they don’t get a chance of practicing what is being taught in class. Saving Arms is here to promote and lift up the less privileged. Therefore, we tend to pick up children who are not able to go to school, and we bring them to school. Having them learn how to use a computer will help most of them pick something and it might be helpful in [the] future because we are in a digital world and in this way, they will be able to uplift their own families too.