In search of the point-of-contact: contextualized technology refreshes ICT teaching in Tanzania

Meaningful learning of information and communication technology (ICT) requires students to understand ICT concepts in their own cultural or societal context. In this study, we hypothesized that grounding ICT education in the local context and using concretizing tools, like programming visualization and intelligent building blocks (I-BLOCKs), would benefit students. We investigated this hypothesis by first developing an introductory ICT course in programming, which applied these strategies, and then by analyzing the results of the course. The course was held at Tumaini University, Iringa University College, Tanzania, in the fall of 2004. Altogether 27 teacher-trainees participated in the course. The outcomes of the course showed that the students understood the main concepts that were taught. They were also able to apply the methods of creative problem solving that were taught in the course. It was also found that students´ algorithmically-oriented understanding was not at the desired level and that the course, as well as the future curriculum, needs further development in this particular area.