JRS ICT CLASS

Empowering Educators: A Successful 3-Day Digital Skills Toolkit Training Workshop

In the scorching sun of Madi Okollo (Ocea VST), educators from Arua and beyond gathered for a transformative three-day journey. From Saturday, the 23rd of September to Monday, the 25th, the Training of Trainers Workshop for the Digital Skills Toolkit (DST ToT) unfolded, leaving a trail of empowerment and knowledge in its wake.

Day 1: Setting the Stage

The workshop kicked off with enthusiasm as participants introduced themselves, shared their expectations, and set the ground rules. The venue buzzed with the energy of individuals eager to enhance their digital skills and teaching methods. Internet connectivity was a breeze, allowing for a seamless start.

The program delved into the objectives, aim, and structure of the DST ToT, ensuring everyone was on the same page. Tea breaks provided the perfect opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas. The morning session continued with an exploration of suggested teaching methods, setting the stage for the days to come.

The afternoon was dedicated to Module 1: Foundation digital skills and Module 2: Information processing. Engaging group activities and plenary discussions kept participants actively involved. A sumptuous lunch refreshed both body and mind. Day 1 concluded with notices, group photos, and a sense of accomplishment.

Day 2: Deepening Knowledge

As the sun rose on Day 2, participants arrived, ready to delve deeper into digital skills training. The morning began with a warm-up and a recap of Day 1. Training objectives for Day 2 were highlighted, ensuring clarity and focus.

The workshop proceeded with Module 3: Communication and collaboration and Module 4: Developing Digital Content. Again, group activities and plenary sessions facilitated understanding and interaction. Tea breaks provided moments of respite, and lunch was a time for camaraderie.

The afternoon brought practical lab activities related to Modules 3 and 4, allowing participants to apply their newfound knowledge. Day 2 ended with notices, group photos, and a growing sense of confidence in the digital realm.

Day 3: Empowerment and Celebration

Day 3 saw the arrival of participants with a sense of anticipation. A warm-up session and a recap of the previous day's achievements set the tone for the final leg of the training. Training objectives for Day 3 were clearly outlined.

The workshop continued with Module 5: Safety and security and Module 6: Problem-solving. Engaging group activities and plenary discussions once again deepened participants' understanding. A unique feature of the day was the "Digital Safe Tea" session, introducing digitalsafetea.com, a valuable resource for digital safety.

During a working break, participants had the opportunity to network and share insights. The closing session marked the end of a successful workshop, with a wrap-up, general pedagogical strategies, post-training self-assessment, a feedback session, and a discussion on the way forward. The day concluded with a group photo, capturing the spirit of empowerment.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite the challenges of long-distance commuting from Arua and the relentless heat, the workshop persevered. The commitment of both trainers and participants ensured the success of the event.

Looking ahead, participants are now equipped to roll out the Digital Skills Toolkit, bringing digital literacy to their communities and classrooms. This training has not only enhanced their digital skills but also ignited a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge.



In conclusion, the three-day Digital Skills Toolkit Training Workshop was a testament to the power of education and collaboration. It showcased how determination, knowledge, and a supportive community can overcome challenges and create opportunities. The participants left with more than just skills; they left with the potential to transform lives through digital education.

How to start searching

 Go to the search engine’s homepage, for example www.google.com, and type the search terms into the text box. To see the results, show the learners that you need to press the Enter key, or they can click an icon, such as the Google Search button or a magnifying 

Demonstrate to learners that to start a search, you will need to click on a browser. A browser is a software application that allows a computer user to find and view information on the Internet. There are different ones available to users. Internet Explorer, Mozilla´s Firefox, and Chrome are just some of them and you can usually find them at the bottom line of your computer´s desktop.

Search strategies 

Explain to the learners that with a few basic search strategies, you can usually find almost anything you want. It does not matter if you are using Google or any other search engine because these techniques are effective no matter where you search.  

Highlight these three tips for searching: 

• Keep it simple: Make your searches brief by focusing on keywords, then keep the number of these keywords to a minimum. This way, you are more likely to get relevant results.

• Consider suggestions: As you enter your term, search engines will suggest the most popular results involving the term. Do not be afraid to select one, as they can often give you plenty of new ideas.

• Use natural language: You do not have to use complicated words or phrases to get results. Search engines can recognize the language you naturally use in your everyday life, so feel free to try whatever comes to your mind.

Smartphones and tablets

Discuss each method with the learners and if possible, model this process for them.

1. Navigating to the website where the app can be downloaded and downloading it from there. This is risky because not all the apps available on the internet can be trusted.

2. Navigating to the app store that is on the device by default and downloading it from there. These apps must meet certain standards to be housed on the app store,

so they are generally more trustworthy and safer for the device

Assessing sources and information online

 

Information available on the Internet is not regulated or controlled for quality or accuracy. It is very important for Internet users to evaluate the source or information. Anyone can publish on the internet. It is difficult to find out who wrote the content It’s your responsibility to judge the accuracy of the source.

 Ask yourself these questions before using resources from the internet: 

1. • Who is the author? Is the author qualified to write on the topic? In case it is an organization, is it credible? Did I hear about it?
2.  • What is the purpose of the site? Who is the intended audience? 
3. • Is the information and language objective, unbiased and free of emotional expressions? 
4. \• Are the factual sources listed so information can be checked? 
5. • Is information supported by evidence? • How old is this information? When was the site last updated