Developing interactive and hands-on learning activities for the teachers and pupils is one of the priorities at Uphill. We help when and where we can and gradually new strands of teaching are becoming embedded in the classrooms.
In the first of two blogs on this topic we introduce you to developments in IT and science.
1. Information Technology
For a number of years now we have been taking second hand lap top computers to the school in our suitcases. Basic IT lessons began at Uphill in 2015, but old machines have a limited lifespan and battery life!
This year we found a reliable source of reconditioned computers to buy within Uganda and we plan to progressively replace all the old laptops with more capable machines. Five good quality laptops were bought after the trustee visit in March and more will come as money becomes available.
We are delighted to report that Uphill now has 10 functioning laptops which are being used to teach the basics of word processing and spreadsheets to Primary 7 pupils on a weekly basis, and all the teachers have also received basic IT training so they can prepare reports and class lists of examination results.
Internet is still not reliably available in many rural areas of Uganda, so online learning is not an option…yet!
2. Science
Dollar Academy, one of our partner schools, has donated a range of interactive science lesson packs to Uphill since lockdown and these are gradually being integrated into the Uphill school curriculum. The teachers have also enjoyed playing some of the science games as part of their Continued Professional Development. When teachers understand how valuable new learning methods can be they quickly become integrated into the curriculum!
Pupils explore 3D images in a lesson about how the eye works (2023)
Uphill staff trialling one of the learning activities in series of hands on experiments about magnetism (2024)
We are hoping to develop a deeper relationship between Dollar Academy and Uphill Junior School, and may even see teachers from Scotland mentoring teachers in Uganda in the years to come.
See Hands On Learning 2 for more fun interactive learning at Uphill!
Thank you so much to everyone who has made the provision of these hands on learning resources possible!
If you would like to help us buy more refurbished laptops or other interactive resources for Uphill, please click on the donate button below.
Thank you.
Tags: hands on learning, STEM project, The Uphill Trusthill Trust, Uphill Junior School
