Projects & Consultancies

Mastercard Foundation and MEST Africa EdTech Fellowship - EdTech Companies Technical Assessment 2024

Background

Ghana's EdTech sector has rapidly expanded in recent years, offering innovative solutions to long-standing problems within the education system. However, despite this expansion, significant challenges such as limited access to the market, technology, funding, technical expertise and data-driven insights still hinder the scale of many EdTech companies in this sector. These challenges compromise their ability to continuously provide solutions that ultimately increase access to quality education and improve learning outcomes. MEST Africa partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to catalyze the growth and impact of 36 EdTech companies across Ghana over the next 5 years with a shared vision of enhancing access to quality education and improving learning outcomes. This partnership aims to support and accelerate 12 Edtech companies annually for the next 3 years. The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is offering participating companies 8 months of acceleration support, followed by an additional 2 years of post-cohort support for each of the three cohorts to be run over the period with each cohort consisting of 12 EdTech companies.

Assignment

As one of the experts alongside the MEST Africa team running the Mastercard Foundation and Mest Africa EdTech Fellowship, using the TULNA INDEX, I was tasked to assess EdTech companies' readiness to meet market standards. This assessment aimed to help these companies gain access to technology, funding, technical expertise, and data-driven insights.

We evaluated the quality of their products and services, identified factors impacting their success, and pinpointed areas for improvement. We also helped them develop a growth plan in key business areas such as finances, operations, marketing, customer acquisition and retention, and competitive landscape. Our support included advising on collecting and analyzing customer data, conducting a SWOT analysis, and offering recommendations for action based on strategic insights.

Companies in the EdTech Fellowship were prepared to receive the necessary support in key areas to reach the goal of educating 8,000 learners annually to ensure 15% inclusivity for persons with disabilities, bridge the rural-urban divide by 50%, and empower women and youth by 50% as an impact measured.

Digital Literacy and ICT Integration Implementation -Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Ghana 2023 - 2026

The goal of Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Ghana is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Ghanaian secondary education institutions (Senior High Schools (SHS), Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) and Technical Institutes (TIs)) so that all young people have the 21 st Century Skills and competencies needed for lifelong learning, employability and adult life. The project aims to implement digital literacy and ICT integration in schools as part of its activities.

The overall goal of the digital literacy and ICT integration is to equip teachers in pre-tertiary schools with the needed technology-oriented knowledge and skills to use digital tools and resources creatively and effectively in their teaching practices in pursuit of the national goal of transforming Ghana into an information and knowledge-driven digital-literate nation. My role is to facilitate and implement a Learning Management System (LMS), to develop a Digital Literacy course for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for 700+ schools in Ghana.

Technical Assessment: Radio Stations in Ghana for Radio Lesson Delivery ( COVID-19) 2020

Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown, the USAID Partnership for Education: Learning took proactive steps by leveraging radio-based educational interventions to ensure continued learning for students at home. To effectively implement this initiative, the project meticulously conducted a technical assessment aimed at identifying suitable radio stations that could effectively support and disseminate the educational content to the target audience.

The comprehensive technical assessment was designed to thoroughly evaluate the capabilities of radio stations located in all 16 regions of Ghana. This evaluation aimed to ascertain whether these stations possessed the necessary technical expertise, equipment, and human resources required to develop high-quality scripted educational content for broadcast over the radio.

Radio Lesson Development (Ghana Learning Radio) during COVID 19 2020

Technical Support (Material Development -Pupil Book) -2019-20

E-learning INSET Center Implementation - Video Conferencing for E-learning Workshops-2017-2019

Ghana Learning Tablet-based E-course Development and ImplemenImplementation -2017- 2018

The Ghana Learning Tablet-based E-course Development and Implementation is a comprehensive program designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of District Teacher Support Teams (DTST) Literacy Specialists and Circuit Supervisors (CSs). The program focuses on early-grade reading and instructional leadership, aiming to create a reading-friendly culture by delving into the 5+1 reading components.

DTSTs received continuous technical support to coach Head Teachers and Curriculum Leads, who in turn guide teachers in implementing the early-grade reading program. The e-course offers a wide range of coaching techniques, classroom observation methods, and strategies for promoting reading both within and outside schools.

The program employs narrated slides with text, photos, and videos to illustrate key concepts. The videos showcase various stages of the writing process and writing samples from pupils of different writing abilities. These visual aids allow e-course participants to witness the practical application of the ideas they learn, supporting teachers and coaches in implementing the program effectively.

Overall, the Ghana Learning Tablet-based E-course Development and Implementation is a valuable and practical tool that was used to support over 56,000 teachers, coaches, and supervisors to enhance their skills and knowledge in early-grade reading and instructional leadership.

Rediker Software Implementation for Lutheran Schools Ghana

As the lead, I took up the responsibility of spearheading the implementation of Rediker Software for Lutheran Schools in Ghana. This task involved covering two regions and five branches. Rediker is a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Program (ERP) that is designed to streamline various administrative processes within schools. It caters to a wide range of staff members, including school leaders, administrators, teachers, technology staff, guidance counsellors, admissions personnel, business office staff, cafeteria workers, nurses, librarians, district office staff, and diocesan office members.

The software is a complete solution that helps schools manage a variety of tasks, from scheduling to finances, and everything in between. With Rediker, schools can efficiently manage inquiries, from prospective students, enrolled students, parents, extended family members, alumni, family contacts, assistant coaches, support services, curriculum specialists, consultants, volunteers, and donors. Rediker's user-friendly interface makes it easy for schools to manage their diverse families and provide them with the support they need.

The software can also be customized to suit the specific needs of each school. With Rediker, schools can make data-driven decisions, monitor student performance, and ensure that all administrative processes are running smoothly. Overall, implementing Rediker Software has proven to be a valuable investment for Lutheran Schools in Ghana, providing them with a comprehensive solution for managing their administrative tasks and supporting their diverse families.

Language Lab Implementation 2010

As the IT Specialist, I was privileged to set up a comprehensive multimedia language lab at the Togo Institute of Technology, a branch of the esteemed Accra Institute of Technology. The lab was designed to provide a modern and effective approach to teaching the English language.

The self-access facility was equipped with the latest language learning resources, including books, CDs, DVDs, and online materials. Students could access these resources outside class, providing them with the flexibility to learn at their own pace and in their own time. The resources were carefully curated to provide a well-rounded language learning experience, covering all aspects of language acquisition such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and comprehension.

To ensure that students had the best possible learning experience, we provided them with a control mechanism that enabled them to navigate the resources with ease. Additionally, we provided high-quality headsets with microphones, allowing students to practice speaking, listening, and comprehension skills in a simulated real-life environment. The state-of-the-art equipment provided a seamless and immersive experience, making the language learning process more engaging and effective.

The purpose of the language lab was to encourage students to actively participate in language learning exercises and provide them with more opportunities to practice than what is possible in a traditional classroom environment. The lab was designed to facilitate a more interactive and dynamic learning experience, with a focus on practical language use. By utilizing this innovative approach to language learning, students could achieve greater fluency, confidence, and success in the English language. As a language learning professional, I had the privilege of setting up a comprehensive multimedia language lab at the Togo Institute of Technology, a branch of the esteemed Accra Institute of Technology. The lab was designed to provide a modern and effective approach to teaching the English language.

The self-access facility was equipped with the latest language learning resources, including books, CDs, DVDs, and online materials. Students could access these resources outside class, providing them with the flexibility to learn at their own pace and in their own time. The resources were carefully curated to provide a well-rounded language learning experience, covering all aspects of language acquisition such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and comprehension.

To ensure that students had the best possible learning experience, we provided them with a control mechanism that enabled them to navigate the resources with ease. Additionally, we provided high-quality headsets with microphones, allowing students to practice speaking, listening, and comprehension skills in a simulated real-life environment. The state-of-the-art equipment provided a seamless and immersive experience, making the language learning process more engaging and effective.

The purpose of the language lab was to encourage students to actively participate in language learning exercises and provide them with more opportunities to practice than what is possible in a traditional classroom environment. The lab was designed to facilitate a more interactive and dynamic learning experience, with a focus on practical language use. By utilizing this innovative approach to language learning, students could achieve greater fluency, confidence, and success in the English language.

Learning Management System Development and Implementation using Moodle

During my tenure at the Accra Institute of Technology, I had the opportunity to create a Learning Management System (LMS) using Moodle. Moodle is a powerful and open-source web application that provides educators with a range of useful tools to create effective online learning sites.

My primary goal was to provide instructors with a comprehensive virtual learning environment (VLE) that would support teaching and learning activities, and enable the import, export, and management of digital content of any kind. With Moodle, I created an LMS that was highly engaging and user-friendly for both instructors and students.

The LMS I developed allowed instructors to deliver course materials, monitor student progress, grade assignments, and provide feedback. With the help of interactive tools such as video conferencing, chat, and document sharing, students were able to engage in a more dynamic and immersive learning experience.

The implementation of the LMS was a success, and it became an essential platform for online learning at the institute. It allowed instructors to offer courses remotely, which provided students with flexibility and access from anywhere in the world.

Overall, it was an incredibly constructive experience for me to develop and implement the LMS using Moodle. It was a great way to enhance the quality of online learning and to provide students with a more accessible and effective learning environment.