TTAG Goes Digital 

Transforming Ghana’s Teacher Training through Wikipedia

In a world that is constantly evolving, the role of technology in education has never been more vital. Recognizing this, the project dubbed ‘TTAG Goes Digital’ has embarked on a mission to equip teacher trainees with essential digital skills. This program aims to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and the modern digital landscape, ultimately creating a generation of educators who can harness technology to enhance teaching and learning. 

Ghana, like many nations, is experiencing a digital revolution. The government’s commitment to technological advancement aligns seamlessly with Teacher Training Association of Ghana’s (TTAG) vision of empowering teacher trainees to become digitally fluent educators. The TTAG Goes Digital skill training program is not just an initiative; it’s a commitment to foster innovation, adaptability, and digital fluency among future educators.

Months of collaborative efforts involving Open Foundation West Africa (OFWA), Pamitouch Foundation (PAF), The Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Kofi Annan Center of Excellence ICT, Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication GIFEC, and with support from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communication, have culminated in the launch of this program. This project aims to impart digital skills to teacher trainees across 46 Colleges of Education throughout Ghana.

The inaugural ceremony hosted on the first day was attended by stakeholders from all participating institutions. The event was also covered by Popular TV station in Ghana, U-TV (find at 36:00 of the video), and other media house such as The Daily Statement, Kessbenonline, eveningmailgh.com, Mordern Ghana, The 3-day event introduced teachers to Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Microsoft Suite, Online Safety, and Cybersecurity. 

“For a long time, a popular myth has prevailed among educators to their students: “Don’t use Wikipedia.” Unfortunately, this misconception has been perpetuated without a proper understanding of what Wikipedia is and how students and educators can leverage it.

“We believe that the ‘TTAG Goes Digital’ program will dispel these misconceptions, ensuring that these teacher traininees don’t pass on these myths to deter their students from using Wikipedia when they finally become teachers. Instead, they can teach their students how to harness and contribute to Wikimedia projects. We believe that impacting teachers with the knowledge and skills to explore Wikipedia, will translate to impacting many students in the long term”

During the three-day pilot training program at the Accra College of Education, the students were introduced to various aspects of Wikipedia in different languages and Wikimedia Commons. Hands-on editing skills were provided to the students, with about 50 of them actively participating. Prior to the training, 92% of students reported not having a Wikipedia account and possessed only moderate knowledge about Wikipedia. None of the students had ever edited Wikipedia although they all used Wikipedia one way or the other.

Prior to the training most of participants had some myths and perceptions about Wikipedia. Some of which were gathered included:

“Only educators can post and edit context on Wikipedia”

“Most of it’s information is not credible since it can be edited.”

“Wikipedia knows everything about anyone.”

“Wikipedia cannot be edited”

“Information shared is not always authentic”

“Most of the information on Wikipedia are exaggerations.”

“Is a social media handle”

Before the start of the training we asked students to share their expectation through a survey. Amongst, their expectations were,”

 “To be more knowledgeable about Wikipedia”

“More knowledge on how to enrich teaching skills through”

“To be cleared of any misconceptions and get to know the depth and breadth of Wikipedia”

“To be cleared of any misconceptions and get to know the depth and breadth of Wikipedia”

“At the end of the training, if not all, I should be able to manipulate and edit the content on Wikipedia”

“To be an expert in Wikipedia”

After the training here are some feedback that was gathered an indication that these myths and perception were clarified. Some of the feedback they shared included;

“I thought it was a web browser not knowing it entails more than that.”

“I thought I needed to be a big-time IT professional before I could make edits on Wikipedia”

“I had the perception that Wikipedia is a platform for accessing information and not adding information or editing”

“I thought information on wiki was not based on fact But after the program, I got to realize that information on wiki is actually authentic”

 “Personally didn’t know Wikipedia had a foundation and sister apps such as Wiki Species, wiktionary, Wikiversity, and the likes.”

“I never knew I could edit the articles there and also create my own”

“I thought it was managed by the Westerners only. I never knew they had a team in Ghana doing great things.”

“Wikipedia is just for a group of professors who write and edit Wikipedia but I have now realized that everyone can write and edit”

All 54 students successfully created Wikipedia user accounts. They reported contributing to Wikipedia projects in GA, Twi, Ghana Pidgin Wikipedia, and Wikimedia Commons, and were tracked on the TTAG Goes Digital Event metrics Dashboard.

The feedback from the student comes as inspiring and a motivation to continue this effort;

“I really would love a part 2 of the project. I’m glad it extends to the other colleges of education too”

“I am excited about this amazing program that has added more knowledge to my IT background, and I really appreciate the organizers of the program.”

“It has been a great moment where I got to be inspired about Wikipedia and where misconceptions are cleared”

“In fact, I was not disappointed. All my expectations were met and some far beyond they really impressed me”

“TTAG goes digital is a very good initiative since digital literacy is a core competence in the new curriculum”

“ It enables the teachers to meet the needs of the various learners in the classroom”