montfort ttc “with the talking computers we will make wonders” austin chiwembu - montfort...
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Montfort TTC
“with the talking computers we will make wonders”
Austin Chiwembu - Montfort College Lecturer
Montfort TTC“making wonders” is a cascading “train the trainers” project working closely with Montfort Teacher Training College near Blantyre
Strathclyde University Staff train teacher trainers at Montfort TTC
Teacher trainers at Montfort TTC train teachers to use assistive technologies to:
Produce Braille and large print resources for Visually Impaired (VI) learners
Teachers train VI earners to use the equipment
Montfort TTC Who we work withMinistry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST)
Special Needs Education directorate (SNE)
David Njaidi – Deputy Director
Montfort TTC – Centre for the Education of the Blind
Lecturer Staff – Train teachers
Technical Staff – Maintain equipment
MACOHA, MUB, TAAM, MANEB, Paladin, Sight Savers
Montfort TTCEach site (TTC, University, Secondary School, Primary School) is provided with Equipment:
Nsyaludzu primary schoolrobbed!
Montfort TTC SoftwareWindows XP
Microsoft Office
JAWS for windows
Kurzweil scanning and OCS software
ZoomText Magnification
VICTAR touch typing tutor (University of Birmingham)
Classic Literature, 14,000 out of copyright books
Montfort TTC
Phase one sites
St. Mary’s Boys - KarongaEkwendeni PrimaryEkwendeni Girls SecondaryMzimba SecondaryChilanga School for the blindChayamba SecondaryNamitete SecondaryLilongwe GirlsSalima SecondaryMlanda GirlsLisumbwi SecondaryDomasi TTCChancellor CollegeBlantyre SecondaryPolytechnicSt. Patrick’s BoysStella Maris GirlsMontfort TTCMonfrort DemonstrationNgabu Secondary
Montfort TTC
Phase two sites
Karonga TTCNyungwe PrimarySt. Maria Goretti PrimaryKasungu TTCLilongwe TTCSalima PrimaryNkope PrimaryMachinga TTCNsialudzuBlantyre TTCNazombe PrimaryMakande Primary
Montfort TTC
All sites
Montfort TTC Planning“It’s easy to give people computers but it’s not so easy to keep them working”
We planned every aspect of the implementation to ensure reliability:
20% sparing
Surge protection
Uninterruptable Power Supplies
Rebuild media
Cloth to cover the computers when not in use
Cleaning materials (paintbrush, cloths etc.) to keep the kit clean
Montfort TTC PlanningTeachers are trained to:
Keep the equipment clean
Protect the equipment from dust
Rebuild the software when required
Remove and replace components from the computers (DVD, PSU, HDD)
Montfort TTC TrainingEach teacher attends three one week training events over a period of approximately nine months.
Accommodation provided by Montfort College
Teachers travel by bus
Catering, accommodation and all other requirement supplied
All expenses covered
Approximately 16 teachers per week
Training is part funded (50%) by MoEST
Montfort TTC MonitoringBy Strathclyde University Staff
By technicians from Montfort College who visit
As problems occur
Periodically
Montfort TTC
Vitumbiko Kumwenda and Wilton Nyrenda – Mzimba Secondary You can see this video at:http://www.facebook.com/v/121534367908041
Montfort TTC Why is this project needed?Supporting the education of any disability group is expensive
The production of Braille is expensive
Braille is fragile and therefore ephemeral!
Braille is likely to disappear in the long term
Braille does not enable the interchange of information between sighted and visually impaired people
Computers enable visually impaired people to use Information Technology in the same way as sighted people i.e.
Internet, Email, Word processing, Spreadsheets
Montfort TTC Why is this project needed?Nobody was assisting in this area
This project “kick starts” the use of these technologies
MoEST have supplied schools with computers and laser printers to support VI learners
MACOHA have provided computers to support VI learners
The President has provided computers, scanners and an embosser to Lilongwe Girls to support VI learners
Montfort TTC Millennium Development GoalsThis project enables the education of a significant group of vulnerable learners with special needs giving them access to education not just in primary school but from primary school to University
The project has significantly raised awareness about the value of educating visually impaired people:
Hendrina Mposoola
The first blind girl to go to University in Malawi
Supported by “making wonders” project
Radio coverage of her success
Montfort TTC Paris DeclarationThe project is endorsed and supported by the Government of Malawi through the Special Needs Directorate
Schools that benefit from the project are selected by MoEST SNE
The addition of Teacher Training Colleges to the project was at the direct request of MoEST
MoEST SNE provide funding to support the training of teachers
Montfort TTC LegacyThe project is significantly changing the education of VI learners
The use of assistive technology is now part of the curriculum at Montfort College for all teachers of the blind
MANEB, under pressure from teachers in Malawi, are considering the mechanisms that must be put in place to enable VI learners to use computers during their examinations.
Montfort TTC ChallengesElectricity – some of the primary schools needed a connection to the ESCOM supply. This is affordable (MK28,800 Urban MK14,400 Rural) but can take a considerable time.
Purchase and distribution of consumables. Funding for the purchase of consumables is distributed; some IS centrally purchased but is often not delivered the schools.
Theft of most of the equipment from one school – a dangerous and disturbing development.
Education! Many of the teachers we work with are being given the opportunity for further study:
Chancellor College - BEd Primary Degree
Catholic University – Degree in Special Needs Education
Overseas
Montfort TTC Challenges
DoubtThe computers will break
The teachers will not cope with the technology
Blind people cannot use computers
Montfort TTC BeliefHendrina Mposoola said:
Using computers made her believe that she could achieve.
Montfort TTC Next StepsEach of the sites will be connected to the internet through the mobile phone network:
This will enable:
The exchange of ideas
Sharing of resources
Peer support
Communication between MoEST SNE, Montfort TTC, Strathclyde University
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