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Getting ahead in ICT in Tanzania
Recently a young man from Arusha wrote to me asking for help
in beginning a career in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He had
a grasp of basic ICT skills, but wasn't sure where to go from there. It strikes
me that many Tanzanians are in similar situations. This week I want to give you
some pointers on how to learn more about ICT. I will concentrate on identifying
why you want to learn more ICT, and how to select an ICT course appropriate to
these goals.
Why ICT is important
ICT is of growing importance in Tanzania. Computer technologies help businesses
and individuals in a range of tasks, from the composition of letters to the
keeping of accounts. Connected to the internet, a computer can send email to the
other side of the world in seconds at costs lower than imaginable five or six
years ago. More and more people are seeing typewriters and accounts books they
used in their jobs replaced by computers. These days, to lack ICT skills is to
be disadvantaged on the jobs market and disempowered socially. Tanzanians are
quick to notice such trends, and as a result many are keen to learn more.
However, ICT is a very broad field, covering everything from databases to
electronic communication. Where to start in learning it?
Know why you want to learn – what do you want to do?
When setting out to learn something it is always a good idea to know why you
want to learn it. This will help you set goals which you can work towards
achieving.
Different people use computers for different purposes. A doctor might use his to
store information about patients in a database. An accountant might use a
spreadsheet to keep financial records for his clients. A journalist might use
her computer to write articles and email them to her editor.
Look at your own situation and try to work out how computers might help you.
Identify your goals
It is likely that one of the following situations suggests how computers might
improve your life:
· You know nothing about computers and feel disadvantaged.
· You see attractive jobs offered that require computer skills you do not have
· You want to take advantage of cheap and fast communications available in
internet cafes.
· You feel that your business would benefit from the use of ICT.
· Using a computer would help you teach or learn more effectively.
If you can find someone who has solved these problems successfully, ask them how
they did it. Chances are they will tell you they read a book, taught themselves
on the job, or that they went on a training course.
For many people, taking a course is the best way to learn – placing your trust
in a skilled teacher is a tried and tested method older than the hills.
Like my Maasai friend, many of you will decide that a course is the best way
forward.
Choose a course that fits your needs
When selecting a course, remember - the most important rule is to make sure that
the course helps you achieve your goals.
If you have no experience with computers then you might seek a beginner's
course. This should cover at least the following:
· Using a keyboard.
· Using a mouse
· Words used in computing
· The different parts of a computer
· Using Graphic User Interfaces (GUIs)
· File management
· Protecting yourself and others against computer viruses
· How to look after computer equipment
Learning these skills will enable you to learn about other aspects of computing
that interest you.
Almost all computer schools will offer a basic ICT skills course such as this.
It is a good idea to shop around – find out what is offered by each school. Ask
for an outline of the course. Speak to other people who are studying there. Are
they happy with what they are learning? If possible ask to attend a sample
lesson before committing your money. You will be able to tell if the teachers
are really teaching you. Remember that your goal is to learn something useful,
not just obtain a certificate.
Do not make your choice based on price alone – cheap courses may not be good
value for money. Make sure to ask the following questions before putting any
cash down:
· How much are you paying per hour of teaching?
· Will you have to share a computer with another student?
· Will you be charged if there is a power cut?
· Are the teachers qualified? Ask to see certificates, or for evidence of
experience using computers and experience teaching.
The Next Step
If you already have the basic skills you may want to take a more advanced
course. The same rules still apply when selecting a course – identify your goals
and what you need to achieve them, then choose a course that best meets these
requirements.
Arusha Weblogs
Alphonce Mallya wrote in to let me know about his new weblog at
http://gmrecs.blogspot.com where you
can read about the activities at a local recording studio.
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