ThinkQuest Uganda

ThinkQuest addresses the content gap by encouraging inter-collaboration amongst schools (and learners of different cultural backgrounds) that involves learners working in teams to develop websites on issues affecting their community directly. Thus, to attract localised ownership of the project, ThinkQuest encourages a collaborative approach of schools, parents, teachers, information and communication technology (ICT) support organisations, and civil society organisations (CSOs). With the assistance of these partners, students locate content and organise it into a website; the goal is to "build critical thinking capabilities amongst the youth while preparing them for community challenges which are largely addressed through their active involvement." Students work in teams across schools to build websites in English, French, Swahili, and local languages, on critical issues. The websites are compiled on CDs and used as learning tools by other students and teachers. They also have a place in ThinkQuest Uganda's electronic library, which is a central repository relating to ICT applications for addressing community challenges and the catalysation of the creation and exchange of local content. Though such a process, some of the participating schools have made use of local intranets as information sharing models designed to increase the level of interaction of learners and to improve their computing skills through active interaction.

Community organisations offer scholarship awards for winning websites in different categories - e.g., HIV/AIDS website awards.

The project uses free online resources available on the internet, including online tutorials about website development, versions of evaluation software, internet explorer and front page. With regard to open source software, they use The Open Source Development Site, a resource for young web developers. A specially designed interactive project website (no longer in operation as of January 2009) was developed to organise online conferences (chat sessions), host a calendar of events (training workshops and important deadlines), provide links to recommended resources, and/or share content using wiki facilities, mailing lists, email, and other tools.

The project provides an opportunity for formation of computer clubs and existing clubs to be more active in utilising computer resources beyond classroom-based learning. It also runs voluntary training workshops managed by previous contestants. They undertake collaborative training workshops with local schoolnets and projects.

Technology, Education.