ICT Workshop tailored for education in Bagamoyo

An ICT workshop was recently hosted by Marian Schools and Taiwan Africa International Service Association (TAISA) who brought together ICT teachers from Libermann Pre and Primary School and other schools in Pwani, Arusha and Zanzibar to enhance their skills and understanding of emerging technologies.

TAISA, a non-profit organisation based in Taiwan, focuses on enhancing digital learning and promoting digital literacy in education.

Since 2008, TAISA has partnered with Marian Schools, the Spiritans (Province of Tanzania), and several public schools in Arusha, Pwani, and Dar es Salaam.

This long-standing collaboration has been instrumental in advancing technology-driven education in the region.

Held at a serene venue in the historic town of Bagamoyo, the workshop focused on equipping teachers with practical knowledge to better integrate technology into education.

It featured distinguished facilitators, including Father Raymond Riziki, a Spiritan missionary based in Taiwan, alongside two esteemed tech engineers: Dr Po-Yuan Shin from Infineon Technologies and Dr Ji-Ling Hou from ASML Holding N.V.

Their diverse expertise provided attendees with valuable insights into cutting-edge advancements in technology.

Fr Raymond believes that education is an integral part of social emancipation and that digital literacy is essential for helping students thrive in today’s digital world.

Emphasis on AI

Key topics included an introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on education, highlighting its potential to personalise learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, and revolutionise teaching methodologies.

Dr Ji-Ling Hou, a Semiconductor Engineer at ASML in the Netherlands, who has experience with tier 1 semiconductor companies including Qualcomm, found the ICT workshop in Bagamoyo to be an important bridge for new ideas and challenges in brainstorming solutions and possibilities for the future.

“As the technology evolves on a daily basis, it is also important to evolve with it and develop a more efficient way to learn and validate ideas.

Through ICT education and artificial intelligence, we can take its advantages in helping us to learn and test ideas better.

For the future workshop, I believe the three areas that will gain increasing importance are the fundamentals of AI, learning with AI and creating with AI. These could be life-long tools to equip ourselves to embrace new opportunities,” he elaborated.

Another session focused on the Scratch Programming Language, a user-friendly platform designed to teach coding concepts through visual and interactive methods. Facilitators guided teachers on using Scratch to foster creativity and critical thinking in their classrooms.

Participants explored the impact of emerging technologies on education, discussing how tools like AI and programming can bridge learning gaps, promote inclusivity, and prepare students for a tech-driven world.

Dr Po-Yuan Shih, a Taiwanese Semiconductor Engineer at Infineon Technologies in Germany said the workshop is a significant step in improving ICT education.

“The success of this workshop foresees sustainability and continuous improvement in human engagement with the rapidly improving technology. For future workshops, we will need to extend the duration as well as more bilateral interactions where participants share their ideal visions for ICT education and to explore possibilities and develop optimal solutions.

Additionally, introducing interactive formats like round-table discussions, agile sessions, and team competitions could further enhance knowledge sharing and collaborative learning,” she expounded.

Teachers expressed their gratitude for the workshop as there is a need for continuous professional development in ICT. Many teachers expressed hope that such initiatives would become regular, ensuring educators remain updated in this rapidly evolving field.

Sharing his feedback about the workshop, Mr Super Vedasto, a teacher at Marian Boys Mlingotini said: “Attending the ICT workshop for ICT teachers in Bagamoyo gave me access to valuable insights into important topics in ICT today such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Scratch programming, and the impact of these emerging technologies on education.

The sessions were practical and engaging, with facilitators demonstrating how AI can personalise learning and streamline teaching processes. The introduction to Scratch programming was particularly impactful, as it highlighted creative ways to teach coding and foster critical thinking in students.”

The workshop concluded with a call for collaboration among schools, educators, and stakeholders to further integrate technology into education.

Bagamoyo has once again proven to be not only a historical landmark but also a hub for educational innovation and growth, leaving participants enthusiastic and ready to embrace technological advancements in their teaching practices.