The Women Educators in Internet and Technology (WEITech) initiative welcomed its second cohort in an ongoing effort to bridge the persistent gender gap within Ghana’s burgeoning EdTech sector. The induction ceremony, held at the Latter Day Saint Church in Tema, underscored a commitment to fostering digital literacy and leadership among female educators.
This program is a collaborative effort of the DreamOval Foundation and the Internet Society Foundation to build the digital capacity of female teachers, thereby empowering them to participate in and lead the educational technology landscape. Over the coming months, participants will immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip them with practical, hands-on skills.
This includes training in educational technology tools, principles of instructional design, and the intricacies of online entrepreneurship. The ultimate goal is to enable these educators to confidently create their own innovative digital learning resources, significantly contribute to reducing unemployment within the education sector, and ultimately enhance their own career trajectories.
A striking aspect of the induction was the readiness of each participant, who arrived equipped with their personal learning devices, whether smartphones or laptops. This foresight highlighted the program’s strong emphasis on hands-on, practice-based learning, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is immediately applied and reinforced. Participants expressed their enthusiasm to acquire new digital skills that would profoundly develop both their professional competencies and personal growth.
The induction activities were designed to be both informative and engaging. Participants received comprehensive training on Google Classroom, which serves as the primary platform for content delivery throughout the program, and were subsequently logged into the virtual classroom environment.
Beyond the technical training, the program emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork through a series of team-building activities. These included lively charades games, spirited dancing competitions, and a stimulating tech-themed puzzle challenge, all aimed at fostering a supportive and interactive learning community. They were also walked through the curriculum framework, gaining a clear understanding of the module objectives and the Participant Guide – a crucial document that outlines the key milestones they are expected to achieve throughout their WEITech journey.
Despite the historical contributions of women to the evolution of computing, from pioneering figures like Ada Lovelace, recognized as the first computer programmer, to the unsung female “computers” of World War II, the contemporary tech industry remains largely male-dominated. Startling statistics underscore this disparity: in 2022, a mere 28% of global tech professionals were women, with an even more dismal 5% occupying leadership roles. A more recent 2024 report further illuminates the gender imbalance within the EdTech user base, revealing that 56.35% are male compared to 43.65% female.
WEITech is strategically positioned to address this critical imbalance. Through this program, a growing number of female educators are being equipped with the essential skills and confidence to transcend mere participation in educational digital transformation and instead, rise to lead it. By the end of the program, participants are expected to launch their own innovative digital learning products, such as engaging online courses or practical mobile applications, designed to comprehensively support both teaching and learning processes.
