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Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

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Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#71

Post by sandGorgon »

kw71 wrote: post #68
sandGorgon wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please check the app I linked - it is specifically designed to replicate the desktop feel and the interface of Microsoft word. The solution was not intended to be anti-microsoft in any way. This is the only solution which is optimal on price, weatherproof and power requirements. My solution was specifically meant to achieve what you said. I'm in India...We have the exact same issue (but with better internet probably)

I'm personally shunning black rectangle devices. But I'm still curious - can it print? I'm in the USA where it's a hardship to participate in normal business without windoze. It's a very unfortunate situation due to the costs involved. Also when you are evaluated for low level jobs you are generally put in front of MS office and directed to perform some tasks. If you hunt around looking for features it looks bad to t…

Yes. https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c05384190

Welcome to the "jugaad" world.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#72

Post by ekianjo »

rangibaby wrote: post #69
teej wrote: post #22

So I’ve been to Kumasi before. Take this with a grain of salt - this was over 10 years ago and I was there on a two week voluntourism trip. Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to use real computers as a part of the ciriculum there. * Electricity. Blackouts and brownouts are a part of life in Ghana, especially Kumasi. On top of that, the quality of the electricity is low. This poses major challenges for computers i…

I appreciate the insight, but 10 years is a LONG time, especially in developing countries.

Especially since a lot of people there have now mobile phone instead of computers and do about everything they need with them.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#74

Post by teej »

pavanred wrote: post #57
teej wrote: post #22

So I’ve been to Kumasi before. Take this with a grain of salt - this was over 10 years ago and I was there on a two week voluntourism trip. Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to use real computers as a part of the ciriculum there. * Electricity. Blackouts and brownouts are a part of life in Ghana, especially Kumasi. On top of that, the quality of the electricity is low. This poses major challenges for computers i…

> The medical clinic I was volunteering at... This is off topic. How can one get into that line of work/volunteering? Any particular organizations? Any particular skills ? How can one get started with this kind of work/volunteering?

What I did was volun-tourism and is generally looked down upon. I did not help anyone. Ghana was not better off for me having gone there. I personally benefitted from it but to pretend that my “volunteering” had an impact is silly.

There are lots of volun-tourism groups. They are for white people who want to go to Africa and look like they are making a difference. I can’t help answer your question, just to ask that you do your diligence and join a legit aid organization.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#75

Post by teej »

rangibaby wrote: post #69
teej wrote: post #22

So I’ve been to Kumasi before. Take this with a grain of salt - this was over 10 years ago and I was there on a two week voluntourism trip. Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to use real computers as a part of the ciriculum there. * Electricity. Blackouts and brownouts are a part of life in Ghana, especially Kumasi. On top of that, the quality of the electricity is low. This poses major challenges for computers i…

I appreciate the insight, but 10 years is a LONG time, especially in developing countries.

Totally. Literacy in Ghana is way up. Solar panel prices are way down. Smartphones are cheaper than ever. But despite all that, progress can still be slow in poor, underfunded areas of developing countries.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#78

Post by wutbrodo »

sova wrote: post #53
Hydraulix989 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most laptops and tablets run off of battery.

Yes, and most batteries require electricity. I'm glad you're in the discussion but you can do a lot better than that.

I assume that his point was that blackouts and brownouts have limited impact on battery powered devices vs devices plugged directly into the grid, since you can smooth over patchy electricity access by running on battery during blackouts and charging during availability periods. This is why a lot of places with unreliable infra use UPSs with their computers, but if course that means an even higher capital cost to get your system up and running.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#79

Post by factsaresacred »

teej wrote: post #22

So I’ve been to Kumasi before. Take this with a grain of salt - this was over 10 years ago and I was there on a two week voluntourism trip. Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to use real computers as a part of the ciriculum there. * Electricity. Blackouts and brownouts are a part of life in Ghana, especially Kumasi. On top of that, the quality of the electricity is low. This poses major challenges for computers i…

> I tried to show them the loop button but they did not want it.

Ah, the African way. Imagine that 'this is fine' meme as a cultural trait. Or Japan's 'Shikata ga nai' without the corresponding work ethic. West Africa could be so much more prosperous if only they would will their way towards it.

There's so much low hanging fruit. This being one example. 30 minutes drawing this everyday, yikes. But that's Africa. Too chill for its own good.

Before the accusations of prejudice, I've from this region. I complain about this to my aunties every visit.

Ghana is a shining star of the region (the UK seeded some useful institutions during their exploitation) but still its best and brightest are lured away by better opportunities in London and beyond and its leadership needs more vision. Still, it's moving in the right direction. The future looks bright.

Re: Teacher in Ghana has no computers so he draws Microsoft Word on the blackboard

#80

Post by axiom92 »

on_and_off wrote: post #77
axiom92 wrote: post #76

That's how I was taught MS word in a classroom in Delhi circa 2004. The worst part of it was that the exam had questions like "Define title bar" and "Explain the File menu".

did it help in any way ?

I guess it was better than living not knowing that there is such a thing as MS Word.
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