Promoting Digital Safety for Educators in Times of Pandemics

The Internet Society (ISOC) Uganda Chapter with support from the international chapterthon program joined the collective efforts done by different stakeholders to promote Internet accessibility and usage through different initiatives. The Chapter organized two workshops for educators on Friday 9th October 2020 and Saturday 10th October 2020 at Makerere College School, Kampala, to empower them with digital skills and enable them safely navigate the digital educational system created by covid-19 pandemic. These were attended by 50 educators from 38 schools in Uganda.

The Internet is playing an increasing role in education to connect the educators and the learners and facilitate distance learning, especially since March 2020 when schools were closed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Teachers are depending more on internet and digital libraries as a source for academic information, instead of the physical libraries which are inaccessible. Digital teacher – student interactions through elearning systems, email and social media platforms have become the new normal. However, dependence on the internet is also exposing the teachers and students to fake news and cybersecurity risks, making them vulnerable to attacks.

Among the key issues discussed was digital and information literacy, privacy, digital security, digital health, among others. The speakers included Ms. Lilian Nalwoga from ISOC, Mr. Gole Andrew of Encrypt Uganda and Mr. Mukalele Rogers from the ICT Teachers Association of Uganda (ITAU). Other facilitators from ISOC included Mr. Joseph Kiwendo, Ms. Lillian Kamara, Ms. Brenda Namata and Mr. Mutegeki Cliff. Attached below are some of the session presentations for download.

Catch more of the event highlights on hashtag #digsec4educators and from the Video below;