African Teachers Joining Together in Virtual EdCamp Teacher Conferences William Jackson, M.Ed. 32 year educational professional
My Quest to Teach #MyQuestToTeach
EdCamp Powerful Leaning
African teachers were hit hard with the closing of schools and learning centers. As an educational advocate for global learning groups that I support like Sunflower Trust
https://www.thesun-flower.org/
It is important that African schools are supported locally, nationally and on the continent. Students need the support of the government to obtain virtual learning to continue their quest to build their knowledge in order to obtain careers that help themselves and help their
families.
The virtual EdCamp conferences has expanded from just a dialogue on teacher tools, platforms and the development of educational strategies to equitable access to the Internet, teacher preparation to teach virtually, the Digital Divide and Teachers of Color Meet-up. Building a strong digital and wireless infrastructure helps the continent provide continuous learning across the continent not just for
those with financial security.
Discussion will be held in areas of “Teachers of Color Meet-Up,” “Session 1: Elementary School (Grades PreK-5),” and “Session 2: Digital Divide.” There are many opportunities during the summer for African educators to share their experiences, ideas, strategies and incites addressing COVID19, the pandemic and educational
equality.
Africa has taken many steps to stop the spread of the virus, but more is being done with closing borders, limiting transportation and even stopping international connections. Teachers are caught in a situation themselves lacking digital devices, lacking Internet access and not knowing when they
can return to classes for much needed instruction.
William Jackson, M.Ed PE Teacher
Having experiences in the States with digital teaching, it is not always easy, there are challenges with creating a equitable learning environment for students. Promoting comprehension and applying learning to relevant living and growth
potential in students.
The pandemic is showing that there is much to do for students, families and communities to address the equability of accessing tools for virtual learning and building the access that is needed for communities
that are rural in extreme situations.
COVID19 school closures have caused drastic changes in the instructional models across the continent. Showing that educational models are fragile and need modifications and changes to prepare African teachers to become digital innovators for instruction
and innovation.
Many African educators are working during the summer to continue to figure out how to best support students with virtual learning or a combination of traditional and virtual. Governments are learning they need to listen to teachers and parents so changes can be
strategically made.
Jobs are influenced by technology in so many ways that African governments must have learning directed to prepare students to be the digital innovators, digital leaders and artistic creators necessary for African to continue to grow as a leader and influences global
commerce and governmental influences.
Digital Jobs Globally
Looking forward to participating in “Digital Promise and Edcamp Foundation” events online. Educators working to support one another in the transition to virtual learning at Edcamp. Community groups
like Sunflower Trust https://www.thesun-flower.org/
and the leadership https://www.sunflower-global.org/our-team are working hard to help youth, teens and young adults
in and around Nairobi, Kenya.
Sunflower Trust EdCamp Conferences 2020
What EdCamps are: Edcamps are free public events which leverage the knowledge and experiences of attendees to create the topics and discussions of the day. The theme of this Edcamp is “Equity.” These sessions provides a space for elementary, middle and high school educators to connect and share insight, experiences,
and resources related to this theme.
Meetup.com EdCamp Events
https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/edcamp/
EdCammp Foundation
https://www.edcamp.org/
Digital Promise EdCamp
https://digitalpromise.org/edcamp/
Digital Promise
https://digitalpromise.org
William is the digital innovator for his brand My Quest To Teach using the hashtag #MyQuestToTeach sharing his journey teaching, mentoring,
community activism and community collaborations.