Teaching computing without computers

A teacher in Ghana who educates his students on computer technology - without any computers - has become a hit online.

The man from Kumasi used his blackboard to meticulously draw a diagram of the popular Microsoft Word program.

"Teaching of ICT in Ghana's school is very funny," he said in a Facebook post alongside the photos.

After the images were shared thousands of times online, Microsoft promised to send him new computer equipment.

In his Facebook message, Owura Kwadwo - a nickname for the man Quartz Africa identified as Richard Appiah Akoto - wrote: "I love my students so have to do what will make them understand what [I] am teaching."

Quartz said Mr Akoto's school had not had any computers since 2011, despite the requirement for teenagers to pass an information and communications technology (ICT) exam as part of their progression to high school.

This teacher reminds me of a school, in Kano, where we found out (must have been around 2005) that students were introduced to the computer keyboard through photocopies of actual keyboards. Yes, they did ASDF ;LKJ on paper! Some teachers bend the "IM" out of impossible, really.
— 'Gbénga Sèsan (@gbengasesan) February 26, 2018

Many expressed admiration for his dedication when his mid-February post spread on social media.

"This is not my first time [of drawing] it. I have been doing it anytime I am in the classroom," Mr Akoto told Quartz.

"I like posting pictures on Facebook so I just felt like [sharing it]. I didn't know it would get the attention of people like that," he said.