Tuesday, May 24, 2016

KAWA online Course Introduction

Introduction to the ICT in Education Online Course for Teachers in Uganda

KAWA TEACHER EMPOWERMENT COURSE

Building Digital Confidence for Every Educator in Uganda

The KAWA Teacher Empowerment Course is a nationwide professional development program designed to strengthen teachers’ ability to use technology creatively, confidently, and responsibly in classrooms and school operations.

It provides practical, step-by-step training for teachers, ICT club mentors, school leaders, and support staff, enabling them to integrate digital tools into everyday teaching and learning — even in areas with limited connectivity.

💡 Purpose and Vision

🧩 Course Overview
In total, participants complete over 270 guided learning hours filled with practice, reflection, and real-world application.

🔷 Pathway 1: Digital Foundations for Teaching and Learning (122 hours)
1️⃣ Operate and maintain computers, mobile devices, and accessories.
2️⃣ Organize files and folders for school work.
3️⃣ Create digital lesson notes, spreadsheets, and class presentations.
4️⃣ Use the internet responsibly for research and collaboration.
5️⃣ Record and edit short learning videos for classroom or community use.
6️⃣ Manage email communication and online document sharing.
7️⃣ Apply in daily teaching.
Teachers become digitally confident, able to design engaging lessons, manage class data, and guide ICT Clubs in digital content creation.

🔷 Pathway 2: Digital Instruction and Inclusive Learning Design (68 hours)
Teachers discover new approaches to lesson delivery, inclusive learning, and digital resource creation.
1️⃣ Apply to lesson planning.
2️⃣ Integrate ICT into schemes of work and continuous assessment.
3️⃣ Create interactive learning materials for diverse learners.
4️⃣ Use digital libraries, open resources, and .
5️⃣ Manage online lessons using platforms like .
6️⃣ Design accessible content for learners with special needs using simple .
7️⃣ Explore the use of .
Teachers design practical, learner-centered lessons that blend technology with creativity and inclusion — ensuring every learner participates meaningfully.

🔷 Pathway 3: Digital Leadership and School Management Tools (86 hours)
1️⃣ Develop and implement .
2️⃣ Digitize administrative records, communication, and finance tracking.
3️⃣ Use .
4️⃣ Establish digital libraries and knowledge-sharing platforms.
5️⃣ Organize staff digital training sessions and continuous innovation activities.
6️⃣ Maintain and secure ICT infrastructure with regular updates and backups.
7️⃣ Plan ICT budgets, evaluate technology investments, and address cyber threats.
Schools adopt structured, technology-supported systems that improve administration, data management, and learning coordination.

👨🏽‍🏫 How Training Is Conducted
📍 Meeting ID: 6156 454510 | Passcode: KAWA-LEARN
🏫 School-Based Sessions: Onsite workshops available for clusters of schools, teacher groups, and districts.
💬 Continuous Mentorship: WhatsApp and email follow-up for assignments, reflections, and peer sharing.

🔧 Hands-On Practice and Peer Support

🎓 Recognition and Certification

📍 How to Enroll
💬 WhatsApp: +256 776 960 740
Join a growing community of educators transforming Uganda’s learning spaces through technology — one classroom at a time.

This program is part of KAWA CONNECT’s national teacher capacity-building drive, working hand-in-hand with education partners to ensure that no teacher is left behind in Uganda’s digital transition.

The course aims to:

Empower educators to use ICT tools as instruments for innovation, learning, and community transformation.
Equip schools with digital practices that improve management, learning outcomes, and student creativity.
Promote safe and inclusive digital environments for learners and teachers.

Through a mix of online sessions, offline practice, mentorship, and community projects, teachers grow from basic computer users to digital mentors and creators.

The training is divided into three progressive learning pathways, each addressing a specific area of digital growth in schools.

This pathway builds your essential computer and digital literacy skills. It helps teachers move from using devices to teaching with them.

You will learn to:

Outcome:

This section focuses on how to teach effectively using technology.

You will learn to:

Outcome:

This advanced section supports school heads, administrators, and ICT coordinators in building efficient, data-driven, and sustainable school systems.

You will learn to:

Outcome:

Weekly Online Workshops: Every Monday, 8:00–9:00 PM (EAT).

Recorded Sessions: Access every lesson anytime via the KAWA CONNECT YouTube Playlist.

Teachers create actual teaching materials, videos, or posters for their classes.
ICT Club mentors lead learners through digital storytelling or online collaboration projects.
Weekly “KAWA SHARE SESSIONS” allow teachers to showcase their work and exchange experiences.
Facilitators provide direct feedback and guidance through mentorship calls and follow-ups.

After successful completion, participants receive:

A KAWA Certificate of Achievement, endorsed by partners.
Optional Skill Badges in:
- ICT Integration for Teaching
- Digital Content Production
- Inclusive Digital Practice
Recognition during KAWA CONNECT events, teacher showcases, and regional innovation fairs.

📧 Email: training@kawaconnect.org

🌱 Start small. Grow consistently. Inspire digitally.

Topic 1: Getting to know Computers Better

Module 3: Computer System Essentials

📚 Digital Foundations Teacher Workbook

Module 3: Computer System Essentials

📖 Reading Module: Computer System Essentials

Objectives of the Course

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

Define what a computer is and describe how it works.
Explain the three wares (hardware, software, and **liveware**) that make up a complete computer system.
Understand what hardware is and identify its major components.
Explain the concept of a personal computer.
Differentiate between desktop, laptop (notebook), and tablet PCs in terms of usage and portability.
Identify common handheld digital devices (e.g., smartphones, PDAs, multimedia players) and describe their main features.
Recognize the main parts of a computer such as the **CPU**, **memory**, **hard disk**, **input**, and **output devices**.
Identify common input/output ports like **USB**, **network**, **serial**, and **FireWire ports**.

🌍 The Importance of Studying Computers: Navigating the Digital Age

We now live in a **digital society**, where nearly every task — from record keeping to classroom management — involves a computer. Understanding how computers work empowers teachers to adapt, innovate, and guide learners confidently in a changing world.

🧠 1️⃣ Overcoming Technological Fear

Learning about computers removes fear, builds confidence, and shows that technology is a **friend and teaching partner**, not a threat.

💡 2️⃣ Becoming Computer Literate

**Computer literacy** means understanding how technology fits into learning — how to prepare lesson notes, use digital resources, and communicate online.

💼 3️⃣ Career and Professional Development

Teachers with computer skills can write reports faster, access new knowledge, and train learners for digital futures.

🤖 Differences Between Humans and Computers

Understanding how humans and computers differ helps us appreciate both their strengths and limitations.

Aspect	Humans	Computers
Thinking	Think naturally and emotionally	Operate through programs and logic
Intelligence	Have natural intelligence (reasoning, creativity)	Have artificial intelligence (limited to instructions)
Energy Source	Powered by food and biological energy	Powered by electricity
Dependence	Self-reliant	Dependent on human input

⚙️ Features and Characteristics of Computers

⚡ 1️⃣ Speed

Computers perform calculations in microseconds — much faster than humans. Example: Grading 100 exam scripts in Excel takes seconds, not hours.

🎯 2️⃣ Accuracy (GIGO Principle)

When given correct instructions, computers rarely make mistakes. However, wrong input produces wrong output — the **GIGO Principle (Garbage In, Garbage Out)**.

💾 3️⃣ Storage Capacity

Computers can store massive amounts of data — lesson notes, photos, reports, and even videos — and retrieve them instantly.

🧮 4️⃣ Diligence

Unlike humans, computers don’t get tired, bored, or distracted. They can repeat tasks accurately thousands of times.

⚠️ Disadvantages and Risks of Computer Use

**High Cost:** Many schools struggle to afford computers.
**Power Dependence:** Computers cannot function without reliable electricity.
**Health Concerns:** Prolonged screen time can cause eye strain, back pain, and fatigue.
**Cultural Influence:** Exposure to inappropriate online content may affect learners’ values.

💬 “In the digital age, the best teachers are not those who know everything, but those who keep learning.” — KAWA CONNECT

Part A: Core Concepts & Review

*(Fill in the blanks and classify the components to check your understanding.)*

1. The Three Wares and Accuracy

A complete computer system is composed of three essential 'wares': , , and .

Wrong input produces wrong output, a core concept known as the Principle.

2. Component Classification

Classify the following items as A: Hardware, B: Software, or C: Liveware.

1. Monitor (A, B, or C?)

2. Windows Operating System

3. Teacher / User

4. Hard Disk (Storage)

5. Microsoft Word

6. Smartphone (Device)

Part B: Practical Activities & Reflection

*(Use these sections to document your practical exploration and personal action plan.)*

🧠 Activity 1: Brainstorm

List five ways you have seen computers used in your school or community.

🧾 Activity 2: Discussion & Scenario

What would happen if all computers in your school stopped working for one week? How would it affect teaching and record keeping?

🌱 Reflection for Teachers

What specific skills do you still need to master to use computers confidently, and how can you help learners develop a balanced relationship with technology?

Understanding Computers and Their Components

Computers are part of our daily lives. From withdrawing money at an ATM to printing school reports, technology now supports nearly every task we do.
To use computers confidently, every teacher must first understand what a computer is, how it works, and what parts make it up.

This lesson introduces the meaning of a computer, the types of data it handles, and the three wares that make a computer system complete — hardware, software, and liveware.

💡 1️⃣ What Is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data (input), processes it, stores it, and produces meaningful information (output).

In simple terms, a computer helps you manipulate information — it can type, calculate, store, and communicate faster than any human can.

You can use a computer to:

Type documents such as schemes of work or lesson notes.
Send and receive email.
Access educational websites.
Prepare PowerPoint presentations.
Analyze student marks in spreadsheets.
Manage databases, school records, or accounts.
Play educational games or simulations.

💬 “A computer is not just a machine — it’s your classroom assistant.” — KAWA

🧠 2️⃣ Why Computers Are Important in Everyday Life

Even if you don’t realize it, computers are everywhere.
When you:

Withdraw cash from an ATM,
Scan groceries at a supermarket,
Calculate totals on a phone calculator, or
Use a smartphone to browse or chat —

you are already using a form of computer technology.

Computers have become essential for teaching, administration, communication, and lifelong learning.

🔢 3️⃣ Data and Information

Understanding the difference between data and information helps teachers know what happens inside a computer.

Term	Meaning	Example
Data	Raw, unprocessed facts — numbers, words, or images.	20, 15, “Jinja”, “P6 Science”
Information	Processed and organized data that makes sense.	“The average mark for P6 Science is 68%.”

So when you enter marks into a spreadsheet, those numbers are data.
After calculation, when you see averages or graphs, that becomes information.

💬 Data + Processing = Information

🔁 4️⃣ The Data Processing Cycle

Every computer works through a cycle known as the Information Processing Cycle, which includes:

Input – entering data into the computer (e.g., typing, scanning).
Processing – the computer works on the data (calculations, sorting).
Output – the results are displayed or printed.
Storage – saving the results for future use.

Example:

Typing marks (input) → Excel calculates averages (processing) → You print report cards (output) → You save the file (storage).

⚙️ 5️⃣ The Three Wares of a Computer System

A complete computer setup requires three essential components, often called the three wares:

🖥️ (a) Hardware

Hardware refers to all the physical parts of a computer — things you can see and touch.

Examples include:

Monitor (screen)
Keyboard
Mouse
CPU / System unit
Printer
Flash drive or external hard disk

Hardware is like the body of the computer — it does nothing until it receives instructions from the software.

💬 “Hardware gives the computer its shape — software gives it life.”

💾 (b) Software

Software refers to the set of instructions or data that tells the computer what to do.
You can’t touch it — it flows through the computer as electrical signals.

There are two main types of software:

Programs (Applications): Instructions that tell the computer what to do — e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, or Google Chrome.
Data: The actual information processed — names, numbers, pictures, etc.

Without software, the hardware is useless — it just sits there like a switched-off radio.

🚮 The GIGO Principle (Garbage In, Garbage Out)

If you enter wrong data or instructions, the computer gives wrong results.
This principle is called GIGO, meaning Garbage In, Garbage Out.

For example:

If you type a student’s mark as 950 instead of 95, your average will be wrong.
If a teacher mistakenly deletes a formula in Excel, the results change.

✅ Lesson: Always check your input before processing.

💬 “Computers don’t make mistakes — people do.”

🧍🏽‍♂️ (c) Liveware

Liveware refers to the human element — the person who uses or controls the computer.
It includes the teacher, learner, or technician who enters data and interprets results.

Other names for liveware:

User
Operator
End User
Meathead (humorous term used by technicians)

The computer cannot think for itself — it depends on you, the liveware, to guide it.

💬 “Hardware and software are useless without the teacher — the liveware.”

🧩 6️⃣ Relationship Between Hardware, Software, and Liveware

To function properly, all three must work together:

Component	Role	Example
Hardware	Equipment that performs the tasks	Keyboard, CPU, Printer
Software	Instructions that tell hardware what to do	MS Word, Excel
Liveware	The user who controls everything	The Teacher

💬 Hardware does the work, Software gives the commands, and Liveware gives the meaning.

🧠 7️⃣ Practical Activity

🪄 Activity 1: Identify Components

List 5 hardware and 5 software items available in your school ICT room.
Identify who the liveware is in your school setup.

💾 Activity 2: GIGO Demonstration

Enter wrong marks in an Excel sheet intentionally and calculate an average.
Then correct the data and compare results.
Discuss the meaning of GIGO in pairs.

⚙️ Activity 3: Draw the Relationship

Draw a simple diagram showing how Hardware, Software, and Liveware interact in a computer system.

🌱 Reflection for Teachers

Think about:

How do you use computers in your teaching today?
How can understanding hardware, software, and liveware improve your ICT confidence?
What steps will you take to help learners understand the GIGO principle?

Write your reflection in your KAWA Teacher Journal or share during ICT Club discussions.

🔚 Conclusion

A computer system is only as useful as the person operating it.
When hardware, software, and liveware work together, amazing things can happen — from lesson planning to national exams.

Understanding these basics lays the foundation for more advanced ICT skills such as internet use, digital content creation, and e-learning.

💬 “Technology becomes powerful when the teacher knows how to use it.” — KAWA

How a Computer Works

💡 Introduction

A computer is an incredible tool that takes human input, processes it electronically, and produces useful output that can be displayed, printed, or shared digitally.

Whether you’re typing lesson notes, calculating marks, or browsing online, the computer follows the same basic steps every time.
It does not think or understand like a human — it simply follows instructions that have been programmed into it.

🔄 1️⃣ The Computer as a Processing System

At its core, a computer works through what is called the Information Processing Cycle.
This cycle has four key stages:

Stage	Description	Example in Teaching
Input	Data is entered into the computer.	Typing a student’s mark into Excel.
Processing	The computer works on the data using instructions.	Excel calculates the average mark.
Output	The computer presents the results to the user.	Displaying the average on the screen or printing report cards.
Storage	The computer saves the information for future use.	Saving the file on your flash drive or Google Drive.

So when you type a sentence or create a mark sheet, your computer receives the data, processes it, and presents the result in a usable form — text, image, or sound.

⚡ 2️⃣ How Processing Happens

Here’s where the magic happens!
When data enters the computer through a keyboard, mouse, scanner, or microphone, it doesn’t remain in its original form.

The computer’s internal system converts the information into an electronic language that it understands — a language made up of only two digits:
0 (off) and 1 (on).

This is called the binary system.
Every piece of information — letters, numbers, pictures, even videos — is represented using combinations of 0s and 1s.

💬 “When you see words and pictures on your screen, remember — inside your computer, they’re all 0s and 1s!”

🧮 3️⃣ Understanding Bits and Bytes

To measure how much data a computer handles, we use small units called bits and bytes.

Unit	Description
Bit	The smallest unit of data (a single 0 or 1).
Byte	A group of 8 bits — enough to represent one character or letter.

From these basic units, computers build massive amounts of data.

Here’s how they add up:

Unit	Equivalent	Example
1 Byte	8 bits	One letter like “A”
1 Kilobyte (KB)	1,000 bytes	A few lines of text
1 Megabyte (MB)	1,000 KB	One photo or several pages of a document
1 Gigabyte (GB)	1,000 MB	Around 300 songs or 1,000 photos
1 Terabyte (TB)	1,000 GB	A huge storage drive used in schools or offices

🧠 Example

Typing one page of lesson notes may take about 20 KB (20,000 bytes).
A digital photo may be 1 MB or more, and a school’s database can easily reach several GBs of data.

💬 “Even a short email or a picture holds thousands of tiny 0s and 1s working together behind the scenes.”

💻 4️⃣ The Role of Hardware and Software in Processing

To complete each step in the processing cycle, a computer relies on two main components:

Hardware – the physical parts like the CPU, monitor, and keyboard.
Software – the instructions or programs that tell the hardware what to do.

Together, they enable the computer to take your input, process it, and display the output.

For example:

When you press a key, the keyboard (hardware) sends a signal.
The operating system (software) interprets it.
The processor (hardware) converts it into binary.
The screen (hardware) shows you the letter.

🧠 5️⃣ Inside the CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is like the brain of the computer.
It performs all calculations and logic operations.
It has three main parts:

Part	Function	Example
Control Unit (CU)	Directs the flow of data between input, processing, and output.	Decides what happens when you click “Print.”
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)	Performs mathematical and logical operations.	Adds student marks or compares two numbers.
Memory Unit	Temporarily stores data while being processed.	Keeps your document open until you save it.

💬 “The CPU does for the computer what your brain does for your body — it interprets, decides, and directs.”

🧩 6️⃣ Example: How the Computer Handles a Simple Task

Let’s imagine you’re typing:
“Good morning, class!”

Here’s what happens:

Input: You press keys on the keyboard.
Processing: The computer converts your letters into binary form (0s and 1s).
Storage: The words are saved in the RAM (temporary memory).
Output: The words appear on your screen.

If you click “Save,” the data is stored permanently on your hard drive or flash disk.

🧪 7️⃣ Teacher Activity: Understanding the Cycle

Activity 1:
Draw the Information Processing Cycle showing the four main stages (Input, Processing, Output, Storage).
Label examples from your daily work.

Activity 2:
In pairs, describe what happens inside the computer when you:

Type a sentence in Word.
Print a report card.
Play an educational video.

🔋 8️⃣ Fun Fact: The Power of 0s and 1s

Did you know?
Every image, video, or song you enjoy on your computer is nothing more than millions of 0s and 1s switching on and off rapidly.
It’s like the computer’s heartbeat — constant, invisible, and powerful.

🧠 9️⃣ Reflection for Teachers

Think about:

What surprised you most about how computers process information?
How can this knowledge help you explain computer basics to learners more clearly?
Why is understanding binary and processing important for teachers in the digital era?

Write your reflection in your Teacher Journal, or discuss it during the next ICT Club meeting.

🧩 Summary

A computer is an electronic device that takes input, performs processing, produces output, and stores data for later use.
All processing is based on binary code (0s and 1s).
Information is measured in bits and bytes.
The CPU acts as the brain, controlling how data flows through the system.
Computers can only function when hardware and software work together — under the guidance of the teacher (liveware).

💬 “The more you understand how your computer thinks, the better you can use it to teach, create, and inspire.” — KAWA

Information Technology

This is a general term which relates to the use of computers as an aid to creating and maintaining data, i.e. information.

IT is related to all aspects of managing and processing information, especially within a large organisation.

Computers are critical to managing information, and computer departments within large organisations are often called IT departments. Alternative phrases are IS departments (Information Services) or MIS departments (Management Information Services). People working with computers within large companies will often refer to their job, as “working in IT”.

Typesof Computers

Computers we use today are classified into four ways i.e.

. Classification by Process

. Classification by Purpose

. Classification by Size and;

. Classification by Processor power.

Classification by Process

Computers in this classification are classified according to how data processed is represented. It is further subdivided into three sub-classifications and these are:-

. Digital computers

. Analog computers

. Hybrid computers.

Digital Computers.

These are computers that process data that is represented in discrete values i.e. discrete values are numbers that can be defined as 1,2,3,4,5,6…etc. an example of a digital computer is a watch.

Analog Computers.

These are computers that process data in a continuous form or measurable quantity/units.

In other words, these are computers that can be used in measurements e.g. weighing speed, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. an example of an Analog computer is a thermometer, Anemometer.

Hybrid computers

These are computers which have combined features of both the digital and analog computers.

Classification by Purpose:

Computers are classified according to the work they do. These are classified into two i.e. Special Purpose computers and General Purpose computers.

Special Purpose Computers

These are computers designed particularly to handle a particular task or job. Their form of work or operation is restricted in nature e.g. digital watches and calculator.

Lifts in tall buildings also employ the special purpose computers.

General Purposes Computers

These are computers designed to do or solve a wide range of problems or tasks. A typical computer of this kind can perform calculations, keep date and time, word process documents and also store information.

Classification by Size:

General purpose computers are further sub-divided depending on the user capacity and size of the machine. These are classified into three categories i.e.

Super Computers
Main frame computers
Miniframe computers
Microcomputers.

Super Computers and Main frame

During the the 1900’s, computers were divided into a category of Maxicomputers which were also called mainframes.

A such computers consumed a whole room and typically cost between $300,000 and $20,000,000.

The fastest maxicomputers were called supercomputers.

There are also Super computers, a term used to describe their abilities to perform certain functions such as extensive processing, speed and their diligence. They are the fastest and highest capacity computers. They are used for world wide weather forecasting and analysis of weather phenomena, oil exploration, etc.

Mainframe Computers:

These are large general purpose computers with extensive processing, storage, input and output capabilities, hence can accommodate many users at a time.

They can support between 500 – 1000 users at a time, each user working separately with a keyboard, and monitor but all using the same processor i.e. central processing unit. (CPU). These were mainly identified during the first generation computers. Mainframe computers are mostly used in companies for data processing and in science laboratories for complex mathematical calculations.

Mainframe computers: Big and powerful

Mainframe computers are the big, powerful, expensive computers used in the background by most large organisations. The power of the mainframe can be distributed amongst many people accessing the mainframe via their own PC.

Organisations such as large insurance companies would use the mainframe to keep track of their policyholders and send out renewal notices.

Micro Computers:

A microcomputer fit on a desk or lap or hand or was embedded in a tiny device.

These are very small computers compared to the mainframe and miniframe computers. They are single users i.e. the Keyboard, Central Processing Unit and Monitor can only be used by one person at a time.

These computers are also referred to as Personal computers (P.C) or Personal systems (P.S). They are the most widely used computers in our everyday lives. They include:

Desktop computers
Laptop computers
Palm top computers.

Desktop Computers

Many people use desktop computers, or desktops as they are often referred to, at work, home, school, or the library. They can be small, medium, or large in style, and usually sit on a desk. The term desktop actually refers to the casing, or the tower.

The term desktop computer originated when the computer case was wide and flat, and was designed specifically to fit on your desktop with the monitor on top.

Once you add a monitor, mouse, and a keyboard, you have what is typically known as a desktop computer.

Example Desktop Computer

Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. In addition to expandability, another benefit of desktop computers is the cost.

If the visible computer is used by just one person at a time, it’s called a personal computer (PC).

If the visible computer is used by many people simultaneously, it’s called a powerful server: the powerful server manages many other computers and let them share info with each other. The typical powerful server is big. It sits in a corner of the room, or fills a whole room, or fills several rooms. Powerful servers are used by big organizations (such as the IRS, Social Security, banks, credit-card companies, and insurance companies) to manage your records and the people who want to use them.

A standard desktop computer is a personal computer that’s too big to carry in one hand. It sits on a desk. It has 4 main parts:

A keyboard that lets you type commands to the computer.

A screen (display) that shows you the computer’s answers.

A mouse that you roll across your desk, to indicate which part of the screen interests you.

The system unit, which is a box holding the computer’s brain & memory.

In a standard desktop computer, each of those 4 parts is a separate device. Wires run out of the system unit to the keyboard, screen, and mouse, so the system unit can communicate with them. Here are 2 comments about the system unit:

If the system unit is taller than it is wide, it’s called a tower. The typical system unit is a tower that’s 15" tall and 15" front-to-back but just 7" wide.

Here’s how other computers differ.…

In a wireless desktop computer, the keyboard and mouse communicate with the system unit by radio waves instead of wires.

In an all-in-one computer, there’s no separate system unit; instead, the computer’s brain & memory hide behind the screen, in the same case that includes the screen.

The term “desktop computer” is vague: it means “standard desktop computer or wireless computer or all-in-one computer”.

In a desktop computer system, how big is the screen? If the system is modern, its screen size (measured diagonally, from corner to opposite corner) is between 18½" and 27"; the most common size is 20". If the system is older, its screen is smaller (between 12" and 18½").