IICD supported project: Global Teenager Project - Zambia

Countries: Zambia [ZM]
Sectors: education

Summary

The Global Teenager Project (GTP) Zambia links students from Zambian schools through a virtual network with 10,000 students in 32 countries. In learning circles they discuss specific topics with each other like the environment and compare their own views with the views of students from other countries. Alongside enabling classroom discussions, GTP Zambia gives secondary schools a kick-start in the use of computers and internet. The project enlivens the educational process as teachers incorporate new ideas and methods into their classes. GTP Zambia is used by 25 teachers and 300 students.

Update

Updated: 2008-09-15

The website www.globalteenager-zm.org is online. The skills of the 15 participating schools with 25 teachers and 300 students have increased through working with computers and internet. Several topics were discussed with students from other countries.

Introduction

The GTP connects students and teachers locally, nationally and internationally, developing educational content, promoting cross-cultural understanding and raising ICT literacy levels. However, connectivity is a challenge for schools across Zambia, and especially those outside of Lusaka. Trio Consult is working to create a comprehensive infrastructure to organise and provide technical support, ensure proper financial commitments, and generate positive publicity. Publicity will encourage the growth of the teenager project in secondary schools across Zambia.

Read more about IICD’s Zambia Country Programme.

Objectives

The objectives specific to GTP Zambia are:

• Developing ICT skills for students and teachers across Zambia
• Enhancing the public profile of GTP Zambia, creating a website as well as soliciting press coverage, in order to create further opportunities to expand the GTP to more schools, especially outside of Lusaka
• Overcoming connectivity and technical challenges by developing facilities to provide greater technical support to schools. One of the possibilities of increasing technical support is through a GTP coordination centre, equipped with five or more personal computers. This centre enables schools with connectivity problems to participate in learning circles. The GTP coordination centre could also be involved in training teachers and students in basic skills for refurbishing, installing and maintaining computers

Development Impacts

Global Teenager Project offers schools means to harness ICT for a range of educational activities, including research, intercultural exchange, or collaborative and international learning. Students are given a solid grounding in critical thinking, teamwork, independent learning and using ICT skills critical for lifelong learning. In addition, stereotypical images and preconceived ideas give way to a deeper intercultural understanding and sensitivity to other belief systems. Teachers benefit by learning about different teaching styles and strategies they can adopt to tackle global educational issues.

Read more about IICD’s approach towards Education.

Management and organisation

The Global Teenager Project in Zambia has changed hands several times over the past few years. At the time of its inception, GTP activities were being coordinated by Microlink Technologies. Coordination was then handed over to One World Africa (OWA) in June 2004. In 2006 Trio Consult, a local private ICT company took over coordination of the project.

Lessons learned

With this two year strategy, the project will experience continuity at the end of the concession period and attain a level of sustainability. By setting up sustainable initiatives in schools - in the form of school based internet centres and training services - the ICT facilities will be properly looked after by the schools, due to the core group of trained staff available to maintain the equipment.

Budget

Euro 41,050.00

Project Owner : Trio Consult (trio-consult.com)

Project Contact : IICD