A teacher who gives lessons on computer technology without using any computers has become a massive hit online.
The man, who teaches in Ghana, has been pictured using a blackboard to draw a rather specific diagram of the Microsoft Word program we have all come to know.
After the images were shared by thousands of people online, Microsoft promised to send him some new computer equipment. Amazing!
Quartz Africa identified the teacher as Richard Appiah Akoto.
The 33-year-old is the information and communication technology (ICT) teacher at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase – which is around two and half hours drive north of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi.
He has been a teacher at the school for six years.
In a Facebook post, Mr Akoto, wrote:
Teaching of ICT in Ghana’s school is very funny. ICT on the board paa. I love ma students so have to do wat will make them understand Wat am teaching. [sic]
Quartz said Mr Akoto’s school had not had any computers since 2011. This is despite the requirement for teenagers to pass an information and communications technology (ICT) exam as part of their progression to high school.
Many expressed admiration for his dedication when his mid-February post spread on social media.
Mr Akoto said:
This is not my first time [of drawing] it. I have been doing it anytime I am in the classroom.
I like posting pictures on Facebook so I just felt like [sharing it]. I didn’t know it would get the attention of people like that.
Gbenga Sesan tweeted:
This teacher reminds me of a school, in Kano, where we found out (must have been around 2005) that students were introduced to the computer keyboard through photocopies of actual keyboards. Yes, they did ASDF ;LKJ on paper! Some teachers bend the “IM” out of impossible, really. [sic]
And on Sunday (February 25), entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong sent a tweet to Microsoft Africa, highlighting lessons were going on, and the teacher was teaching the use of their product without actually having access to it.
She said:
Surely you can get him some proper resources?
Two days later, Microsoft pledged to send Mr Akoto a computer and said they would give him access to its educational materials.
Well deserved.
