Basic 9 · Computing · Technology in the Community
Technology in the Community: Finding Problems
In this topic you will identify and evaluate problems in the community that can be solved with technology, drawing on examples of how technology is already helping in Ghana.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain how technology solves community problems
- Identify problems in your community
- Evaluate which problems can be solved with technology
What you already know
- Uses of ICT in society
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Introduction To Computing
- Sub-strand
- Technology in the Community
- Indicator
- B9.1.2.1.1 – Evaluate problems in the community that can be solved with technology
Introduction
A pregnant woman in a remote village needs blood. A drone arrives within the hour. This is already happening in Ghana.
1. Technology and Problem Solving
Technology is the use of knowledge and tools to solve problems. It is not only about computers. A borehole pump is technology, and so is a mobile phone. In computing, we focus on digital tools such as apps, websites, sensors and databases. These tools work best when they tackle a clear, real need. Ghana has many examples of digital technology that help people in daily life, and many were developed by Ghanaians.
2. Technology in Ghana
| Problem | Solution | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| reaching remote clinics | Zipline drones | deliver blood and medicines |
| finding addresses | GhanaPostGPS | gives digital addresses |
| sending money | mobile money | no bank needed |
| fake drugs | mPedigree | checks medicines by SMS |
| farm information | Farmerline | sends advice by phone |
| medicine supply | mPharma | helps pharmacies with stock |
| paying tax and bills | Ghana.gov | online payments |
3. Areas of Need
| Sector | Problem | Possible technology |
|---|---|---|
| health | long queues | appointment apps |
| education | few textbooks | digital libraries |
| farming | price information | SMS alerts |
| sanitation | full bins | reporting app |
| safety | floods | sensors and alerts |
| commerce | few customers | online shops |
4. Portable Devices
In Ghana, the mobile phone is often the most useful device for community solutions. Many people own phones, though fewer have computers. Good solutions consider this. A service might use SMS or USSD codes such as those used for mobile money, as they work on simple phones with no internet. Tablets and portable solar chargers can also help in areas where electricity is unreliable.
5. Technology Is Not Always the Answer
Not every problem needs an app. If a road is broken, an app cannot fill the hole, although it might help to report it. A solution must fit the people who will use it. Ask if the users can read, whether they have devices, whether they can afford data and whether the electricity is reliable. The best solutions are simple, affordable and designed with local people. Good ideas also need maintenance and funding if they are to last.
New words
- technology
- Using knowledge and tools to solve problems.
- USSD
- Phone codes that work without the internet.
- drone
- An aircraft with no pilot on board.
- digital address
- A location code for a place.
Summary
- Technology can solve real community problems.
- Ghana has examples such as Zipline and GhanaPostGPS.
- Solutions must fit users' needs and resources.
Class activity: Tech Spotting
- List technologies used in your community.
- Say what problem each one solves.
- Share with the class.
You need: Desktop computer, Mobile phone, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian clinic, Market
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Zipline uses drones to deliver…
- A. medical supplies
- B. school fees
- C. food only
- D. fuel
Show answer
Answer: medical suppliesHealth.2. GhanaPostGPS provides…
- A. digital addresses
- B. free airtime
- C. electricity
- D. textbooks
Show answer
Answer: digital addressesLocation.3. USSD can work on simple phones.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueNo internet.4. Using knowledge and tools to solve problems is ______.
Show answer
Answer: technologyDefinition.5. Name three Ghanaian technology solutions.
Show answer
Answer: Mobile money, GhanaPostGPS and mPedigree.Any three.6. Why might SMS be better than an app in a rural area?
Show answer
Answer: It works on simple phones without internet access.Fit.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Introduction To Computing
- Sub-strand
- Technology in the Community
- Indicator
- B9.1.2.1.1 – Evaluate problems in the community that can be solved with technology
Introduction
Innovators start by noticing problems that others have accepted as normal.
1. Finding Problems
- Observe your community carefully.
- Talk to people about their daily challenges.
- List the problems.
- Group similar problems.
- Find out who is most affected.
- Discuss the causes.
Brainstorming is a way of gathering many ideas quickly. Write down everything first, without criticising. Then discuss and combine ideas. Include different people in your discussion, such as elders, traders and those with disabilities, because they will see problems you may miss.
2. Evaluating Problems
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| importance | How many people are affected? |
| urgency | How serious is it? |
| cause | Do we understand why it happens? |
| fit | Can technology help? |
| feasibility | Do we have the means? |
| ethics | Could it cause harm? |
3. Scoring Problems
Scoring
Three problems are scored out of 5 for importance, fit and feasibility. Lost school records: 4, 5, 4. Broken road: 5, 2, 1. No market prices: 3, 4, 3. Which should be chosen?
- Lost records: 4 + 5 + 4 = 13.
- Broken road: 5 + 2 + 1 = 8.
- Market prices: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10.
Answer: Lost school records score highest
The broken road is important, but technology cannot solve it directly. The lost records can be fixed by a simple digital system. Scoring gives a fair, open way of choosing between options. It is not the final word, though, and you still need common sense.
4. Gathering Evidence
Gather evidence of the problem. Ask how often it happens, how long it takes and what it costs. A short survey or interview provides numbers and examples. Use Google Forms if you have access to it, or a paper questionnaire. Evidence helps you to persuade others, and it shows you whether your solution has made a difference. It also protects you against assuming that you already know the answers.
5. Writing a Problem Statement
A problem statement describes the issue in a few sentences. It says who is affected, what the problem is and why it matters. For instance: "Traders at our local market do not know the prices in other markets, and so farmers often sell cheaply." A clear statement guides your design. A vague statement like "Our town needs technology" will not help you.
New words
- brainstorm
- To gather many ideas quickly.
- criteria
- Standards used for judging.
- feasibility
- Whether something can be done.
- problem statement
- A short description of a problem.
Summary
- Find problems by observing and talking to people.
- Evaluate them using clear criteria.
- Gather evidence and write a clear problem statement.
Class activity: Problem Ranking
- Brainstorm five community problems.
- Score each one.
- Write a problem statement for the top one.
You need: Desktop computer, Mobile phone, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian clinic, Market
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. To gather many ideas quickly is to…
- A. brainstorm
- B. format
- C. compress
- D. backup
Show answer
Answer: brainstormIdeas.2. Feasibility asks whether…
- A. a solution can be done
- B. a problem is funny
- C. a device is red
- D. a file is big
Show answer
Answer: a solution can be doneCriterion.3. Evidence helps to show a problem is real.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueData.4. A short description of a problem is a problem ______.
Show answer
Answer: statementWriting.5. State four criteria for evaluating a problem.
Show answer
Answer: Importance, urgency, fit and feasibility.Any four.6. Write a problem statement for sanitation in a market.
Show answer
Answer: Traders at our market have no way to report full bins, so waste builds up and spreads disease.Example.
Homework
- Interview two adults about a community problem and write down the evidence.