Technology + Education in Ghana

Hello! 

My name is Josephine Lee  and you either are reading this because you personally know me or was referred to this page. Welcome :)

For those of you who don't know me, I'm originally from California , completed my undergrad at UCLA and my masters in international education at U'Penn, and now am an East Coast resident, working  for an international development organization.

I have dedicated my career to youth development both in the U.S. and internationally because it really is a personal investment in the future. The youth , no matter where in the world, are the future leaders who will shape the policies and  drive the innovations  that will impact all our lives.  

So what level of investment are we putting into teachers and school resources to ensure the growth and development of these leaders?  What types of skills and knowledge are we promoting? 

Last year, I teamed with the Founder of EDUCOA and a graduate of Harvard's International Educational Policy program, to develop EDUCOA and I am excited to introduce it to you!



EDUCOA is a non profit organization which seeks to  improve the learning environment in schools by introducing a new educational framework called the Innovation for Life Skills program.

The program consists of activities that develops 4  core learning components: (i) Creative Thinking, (ii) Global Awareness, (iii) Career and Professional Development, and (iv) Digital Literacy.

These skills are to serve as the foundation necessary to develop local leadership and entrepreneurs  that will cultivate under-served communities as as a source of business competitors and innovators as well as contribute to global welfare.

The Digital Literacy Pilot 
Each year we will be rolling out activities under each component. 

Ghana is our pilot country where we will be working in for the next few years. 

Youth today are growing up in the most digitally connected and technologically advanced time in history. Without the experience of using computer technology and communicating and organizing information using the Internet (digital literacy), youth from rural areas in Ghana are at a disadvantage in the global market.

Our 2014-2015 pilot is dedicated to improving digital literacy skills in teachers and in students, specifically through training in digital portfolios at existing computer labs in the various selected schools. 

My trip 
I will be traveling to Ghana in May 2015 to continue the momentum of the digital literacy program.  

Because we are in the process of getting incorporated, we are funding all our expenses at this point out of pocket. Your donation will go directly to the program and fund the following(these costs are based on estimates from the  first assessment trip): 

$1500 flight
$   700 hostel/accommodations  (12 nights- avg $40-70 a night) 
$    400 vaccinations 
$       60 travel visa 
$    100 supplies
$    200 Meals and transportation (13 days) 
-----------------
$2960

I still don't get what this program is? Is this a charity? Why Ghana? What will you exactly be doing? Why should I care about this? What are digital portfolios? 

 I welcome you all to click on this link to learn more details about the program and my role: EDUCOA FAQ SHEET 

I am excited for you to be part of EDUCOA’s aspiration and effort to provide new learning opportunities for the youth in Ghana and unleash their potential to transform the global economy. 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. 

Selected photos from the first Ghana trip in October 2014