Ghanian teacher Richard Appiah Akoto drawing Microsoft Word on a blackboard because he has no computer to help his students pass exams.
Over here in the Land of Plenty it’s hard to imagine some of the stratagems teachers in less favored regions must employ to help their students learn.
And although this particular story is about Africa, I don’t mean Africa only. There are many parts of the United States where meager school funding pushes dedicated teachers to extraordinary feats of creativity.
At CNN, Gianluca Mezzofiore reports on a teacher in Ghana who needs to teach kids computer usage — without a computer. How does he do it? He draws a screen image of Microsoft Word on a blackboard.
“Richard Appiah Akoto is a Ghanaian teacher who faces a pretty discouraging dilemma. His students need to pass a national exam that includes questions on information and communication technology (ICT) — but the school hasn’t had a computer since 2011.
“So Akoto had an ingeniously simple idea: he drew computer features and software on his blackboard, using multicolored chalk.
” ‘I wanted them to know or see how the window will appear if they were to be behind a computer,’ Akoto told CNN. …
“Images of Akoto — who on social media uses the nickname ‘Owura Kwadwo Hottish’ — drawing a diagram of Microsoft Word for his pupils at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase went viral after he posted them on Facebook. …
“Akoto’s 100-plus students were happy about the drawing because it made the explanation about launching Word simple for them, he said. And this is not the first time he has illustrated IT technology on the board.
” ‘I have been doing this every time the lesson I’m teaching demands it,’ he said. ‘I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, mouse, formatting toolbar, drawing toolbar, save as dialog box and so on.’
“Quartz, which first reported on the teacher’s story, says the written exam is a requisite for 14- and 15-year-olds in Ghana to progress to high school.” More here.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Glad to read the link and discover that Microsoft in Africa is now aware of this dedicated teacher — and may be sending him computer supplies… Another terrific story to share with all of us!
Glad that you clicked through to see that. I hope Microsoft also provides free support if anything goes wrong.
Amazing man! I wish I could send him my old computers, even if they are all Macs!
I hope the satisfaction of overcoming serious obstacles keeps this teacher going. There are few things so wonderful as a dedicated teacher!