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This module was designed to reinforce basic Grade 2 mathematics skills in government primary schools of Bangladesh. Based on current textbooks, it was intended to supplement and enhance traditional math instruction. It could be used as a stand-alone practice module, or preferably, as an interactive learning aid with instructor guidance. The Student section is comprised of multiple choice or short answer questions and provides immediate feedback if the answer given is wrong. It also shows the correct answer and provides an optional explanation of why it is wrong and how to solve it correctly. Additionally, the module includes 7 videos in the Teachers Only section, one for each lesson selected for this project. The practice tabs were designed in Adobe Captivate and the Teachers Only video clips on suggested approaches for presenting the content in the classroom, were developed in iMovie. See a sample of one of the teacher clips in the above right hand corner. The Student section, was done by all three classmates, but the video clips were exclusively done by me and were my first forray with videos.
Analyze: Developed with a truly virtual and international team, myself along with two other GWU graduate course students from the USA and Japan, we initially created the module in collaboration with Save the Children in Bangladesh. We followed the Dick and Carey System’s Approach Model for each step in the instructional design process. The 4-month long process to strategically design and develop this product provided me with a clearer view of what type of time and proper preparation must be allotted when creating instructional materials and exposed me to an array of tools available for even the most novice of instructional designers. Appraise: Although this module helps in addressing content, a major constraint, it was not within our wherewithal to address the language issue and consequentially was never adopted in Bangladesh. Nonetheless, it afforded me first hand experience in content creation. This was an aspect that my former supervisor was adamantly opposed to, citing that this was not our agency's area of expertise and that it was too costly to pursue. By developing this modest module, I became even more convinced that ICT has tremendous promise for overburden primary education systems in underdeveloped countries. Providing instant access to feedback and permitting children to advance at their own pace permits individualized and personal instruction. Furthermore highly creative and competent programmers abound in Bangladesh and the Department of Computer Science at the National University and many others wanted to partner with us, to develop such materials at nominal fees. Currently the A2I program is developing beautiful online textbooks in Bengali. Transform: My experience in Bangladesh and subsequent graduate studies, have helped to clarify my vision for ICT in Education. Despite cited limitations, my team and I helped put ICT on the agenda for primary schools in Bangladesh. Previously the government Ministry of Mass Primary Education proposed to introduce ICT at the secondary level. This would have automatically excluded more than 50% of the primary school age children because most drop out of school before completing fifth grade. Developing this module with my classmates brought me full circle back to my original position that developing content is key. Furthermore, dismissing technology because one does not have in-house expertise at a given a point in time, is not acceptable. Indeed we would never have engaged in value chains (cited under Food Security) or other initiatives (e.g. minimum weight gain tables or emergency response) where we initially also lacked expertise, if we had not assessed and prioritized these areas. Furthermore, just as we predicted the cost of ICT is getting more and more accessible everyday, but the need for appropriate content in Bengali remains a challenge. |
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Although not written for the education sector, I found these two books written by Geoffrey A. Moore and Clayton M. Christensen respectively, exceptionally helpful for understanding hesitancy to embracing ICT innovations. Click on the links below to find out more about them.
Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers
The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business
Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers
The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business