Design a service to help teachers in delivering online education.
Due to the pandemic, teachers in the world are required to deliver online education abruptly.
However, especially in the vulnerable communities where people have limited internet access and experience in virtual education space, teachers are struggling to adapt to this new reality.
The EdTecht track from the Digital Society School van Amsterdam decided to take action on this, in order to prevent the education disruption in those communities the proposition is a digital toolbox for teachers who have not yet experienced delivering online education, with limited internet access and experience in the virtual education space.
Throughout the development of this project, the design thinking process has been implemented in all of the sprints.
Conversational object
How might we support teachers in vulnerable communities with their changing professional realities?
Our conversational object is a short comedy film.
This short film conceptually illustrates the teaching situation before and after coronavirus outbreak by comparison.
By showing this, we try to evoke the conversation about teachers frustrations and motivations in the new reality.
Organic Peer Support EcoSystem
HubMe is a digital toolbox app that facilitates peer support among teachers and helps them to improve online teaching skills.
On HubMe, users can find ready-to-go online teaching materials, gain practical knowledge of running online classes, and get direct advice from peers on specific challenges. HubMe creates a habit to share knowledge and support others actively.
As teachers gain more skills using HubMe tools, they will contribute back to the community. This way, HubMe creates teachers’ organic peer support ecosystem.
Visual explanation ... 3, 2, 1, action!!!
From our research we learned that, in many cases, teachers are missing immediate access to clear guidelines and support to adapt to the new challenges.
We considered that teachers need to acquire new skills to adapt to the new reality. In fact, they are confused about how and where to learn those skills; some teachers don’t even know what skills to learn and improve. We believe that the best way to assist them is to provide an environment where teachers can help each other: sharing experiences and resources to get ahead in the situation.
Get Teachers Onboard
Service design - The HubMe journey: how can you become a part of the organic peer support eco-system. Learn and help each other to improve online teaching skills as a community! < View Booklet >
Understanding what the user needs
Focusing on the right problem
Generating and prioritizing solutions
Designing the solution
Learning & Next steps
What we know and have learned so far about the current education situation in Ghana is that the teachers have no idea how to deliver education with all the new limitations: cannot teach in-person, internet accessibilities, students IT skills and environment. They are facing difficulty to translate in-person teaching experience to online experience. All primary public schools are closed until January 2021. Only some private school teachers attempt to do online education. No guidelines from the government.
Next steps: even when the hi-fi prototype is done and we have collected valued information so far, the solution is not yet sharp enough. To actively continue the improvement of this app, we propose:
1./ Develop an MVP of the app to continue testing and researching to further improve it.
2./ Implement the service design to start getting teachers onboard. < view the HubMe journey >
3./ Look out for active collaborators to enrich the HubMe community! For instance, teachers who are interested in supporting the service development.
4./ Look out for investors to economically support the continuous development of the app.
All over the world initiatives are being taken to make our planet more sustainable.
This project focus on the 4th DGG although others are relatively close and have been taking into account.
Education liberates the intellect, unlocks the imagination and is fundamental for self-respect.
It is the key to prosperity and opens a world of opportunities, making it possible for each of us to contribute to a progressive, healthy society.
Too much of the world’s wealth is held by a very small group of people. This often leads to financial and social discrimination. In order for nations to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to everyone.
