Ghanaian Teacher, Richard Owura Kwadwo Hottish Akoto Appiah, one of ten Change-Makers who inspired Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella in 2018
10 Change-Makers that inspired Satya Nadella in 2018
Satya nadella has named Richard ‘Owura Kwadwo Hottish’ Akoto as part of individuals and teams who inspired him in 2018.
The CEO of Microsoft shared this in a post titled 10 change-makers who inspired me in 2018. He shared “that these change makers are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, often overcoming odds“.
Here’s an excerpt of what the Microsoft CEO shared about the Change-Makers
“As I reflect on the year, I want to celebrate 10 people and teams who inspired me in 2018. With their ambition to think big and take action and also with their commitment to never lose sight of those whose lives they are trying to better. From a Ghanaian teacher who taught his students Word on a chalkboard, to a young entrepreneur in Paris who is reimagining recycling. To a Microsoft team in the United States working to improve outcomes in the foster-care system. These change-makers’ stories made me pause and reflect on the incredible opportunity each of us has to impact and spark change in our organizations, our local communities and the world.”
Richard’s post that went viral
Satya Nadella goes on to say that “to me, Richard exemplifies the dedication and creativity of so many great teachers who go above and beyond each day for their students“.
Satya recapped Richards story by saying; When Richard Appiah Akoto was preparing his students in rural Ghana for a national IT exam earlier this year, he refused to let a lack of working computers get in the way. In remarkably accurate detail, Richard drew the [Microsoft] Word user interface on his classroom chalkboard so his students could learn how to use it. His illustrations went viral, and our teams rallied to support him, providing the school with a computer lab.
Richard Owura Kwadwo Hottish Akoto Appiah speaks at E2 2018 in Singapore.
Satya Nadella concludes that each of these change-makers show us how one individual or team driven by passion and ingenuity can empower others and have meaningful impact in the world.
We also shared a video of Richard speaking at the summit. Below is a press release of the donation made by the Microsoft team and education partner eSolutions Consulting.
“Microsoft believes that enablement
must start at grassroots level”
PRESS RELEASE
28 March 2017, Ghana – Ashanti –
In a move that is set to further encourage and propel digital transformation on the continent, Microsoft in collaboration with eSolutions Consulting – a local Education partner in Ghana, have today donated technological resources to equip a computer lab at Betenase Junior High School, located in Sekyedumase, Ashanti Region, Ghana.
The computer lab donation includes devices for students and lab teacher, furniture – tables and chairs, school uniforms, mathematical sets, device security storage units, 1-year free 3G connectivity, a projector, screen, UPS back up and routers. All devices will also be provided with Office Professional Plus software.
“As a technology brand that is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more – Microsoft believes that enablement must start at grassroots level – by way of education. It is the teachers and the work they do through their lessons, that allow for this to happen effectively. We are extremely impressed by the work educators all over the continent are doing. – As economies like Ghana become increasingly digital, technical thinking and understanding technology becomes of supreme importance. Around the world, a key part of Microsoft’s work is concentrated on empowering educators to create environments in and out of the classroom that guide and nurture student passion and enable students to achieve beyond their wildest imagination – making, designing, inventing, building the future” – Warren La Fleur, Education Lead for West East and Central Africa at Microsoft.
Microsoft delivers on promise and includes other teachers in MCE program
Teachers not only in Bentase Junior High School but across Ghana will gain access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, so that they can nurture their passion for teaching and build rich, custom learning experiences for students. Training such as this is vital in ensuring that educators have the global educator technology literacy competencies needed to provide greater learning experience for students.
Working with Microsoft to provide world class solutions to enable Ghana’s education transformation has been a great opportunity for eSolutions Consulting. As a Business and IT Consultancy company set up in Ghana, we aim to help organizations both in public and private sector to improve their performance through the introduction of innovative solutions. Immersive learning, enabled by technology, improves experiences and education outcomes for teachers and learners, as it shifts behavior, motivation and helps to develop an educated workforce with globally applicable skills and knowledge noted Solomon Adiyiah, Chief Operations Officer, eSolutions Consulting.
Microsoft has also invested in developing over 300 hours’ worth of free courses, where educators are able to participate in training and receive certification. The duration of each course is between 1 and 3 hours. Focuses vary from how to use tools like OneNote, Sway, and Skype, while others are more instruction based, designed to assist them to integrate technology in their course work. This ties together through assessments and a points-based system and teachers in Ghana and worldwide have access to all these learning tools.
The commitment to education will not stop with is donation and certainly goes beyond that of Ghana.
Microsoft is in advanced discussions with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Ghana to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on more collaborative ways of transforming education in Ghana. A key objective of this MoU will be to provide support on teacher development and advancing digital literacy in secondary and post.
Microsoft hosts Richard Akoto at its 2018 Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit (E2) conference taking place in Singapore.
You surely have come across the post or image about a teacher who drew Microsoft Word on a chalkboard. No? Really? Not yet? Okay, let’s catch up. Richard Appiah Akoto an ICT junior high school teacher at Betenase Municipal Assembly, Sekyedomase in Kumasi, Ghana shared a post about his challenge teaching the course in his school. This story wouldn’t be any different in other parts of Ghana. But with his passion and love for his students, he decided to do his best.
Richard didn’t think his post would amount to him going viral or getting so much attention he will end up in Singapore. In a conversation with NPR he said he didn’t think it will go that far.
Supporting teachers to enable digital transformation in education is at the core of what we do. We will equip Owura Kwadwo with a device from one of our partners, and access to our MCE program & free professional development resources on https://t.co/dJ6loRUOdg
The post was drawn to Microsoft’s attention and they decided to do something about it. Microsoft promised to equip Richard Akoto also known as Owura Kwadwo, with a device through its local partners. Also giving him access to the Microsoft Certified Educator(MCE) program and other development resources. It is through this MCE program that Microsoft invited Richard to join them at its 2018 Education Exchange conference taking place in Singapore.
BREAKING NEWS:
We’re excited to see Owura Kwadwo Hottish in Singapore attending the Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit! pic.twitter.com/2msY0msIAQ
Richard Akoto at the 2018 Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit
Microsoft’s Education packages and solutions are about empowering every student and educator to achieve more. Doing this with the best of Microsoft tips and resources for education. Last year Microsoft launched new education packages that schools and educators can use to transform learning.
At E2 Microsoft Worldwide Education Vice President, Anthony Salcito, welcomed Richard on Stage to share his story. E2 is a Microsoft event that brings together innovative educators from around the world to collaborate, create and share experiences on how to integrate technology, advance learning, and transform education.
Anthony said; “when we saw what he did we were inspired, we thought this is amazing. We said this is an MIE (Microsoft Innovative Educator) in action, why don’t we bring this MIE into our community.”
Speaking to the audience Richard said;
“I never grew up with a computer, I said to myself if i wasn’t able to get the chance to use a computer the students should get a chance.
We were launching Microsoft Word and per the curricular we have to take them through the steps. I wanted to teach them how to launch Microsoft Word but I had no computer to show them. I had to do my best.
So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk. I drew the features and labeled them correctly so that they would know what-was-what. Then I drew what you would see on your computer screen after launching Word.”
“I have been doing this every time the lesson I’m teaching demands it. I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them.
Something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers.”
