Technology is no longer just a tool for teachers—it is an engine of innovation and creativity for students as well. When learners are given the opportunity to explore and experiment with ICT beyond the classroom, they begin to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and build solutions that impact their communities. This is the power of EdTech Clubs and peer innovation teams.
In this article, we explore how schools can successfully establish and sustain learner-led EdTech Clubs—spaces where curiosity meets code, and creativity meets collaboration.
Why EdTech Clubs?
EdTech (Educational Technology) Clubs provide learners with a structured platform to:
- Develop 21st-century skills(critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork)
- Build digital literacy and confidence
- Pursue creative ICT projects
- Explore STEM and EdTech careers
- Showcase innovations at competitions and exhibitions
- Align school learning with real-world goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
When you empower a learner to innovate with technology, you are preparing them not just for exams, but for life.
Core Benefits for Learners and Schools
✅ Nurtures a spirit of creativity and self-learning
✅ Encourages peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
✅ Helps learners build projects for real-world problems
✅ Elevates the school’s reputation in STEM and digital innovation
✅ Opens doors for regional and national competitions, scholarships, and mentorships
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an EdTech Club
- Define the Purpose and Objectives
Start with a clear vision. Is the club focusing on:
- Coding and app development?
- Digital media and graphic design?
- Web design and blogging?
- General digital literacy and innovation?
Define your goals and align them with the national curriculum, the school mission, or the SDGs (e.g., using ICT to support clean water, education, health, etc.).
- Develop a Club Constitution or Proposal
This helps formalize the club and get school approval. Include:
- Club name and mission
- Objectives
- Membership criteria
- Planned activities (monthly/termly)
- Leadership structure (President, Secretary, Media Officer)
- Meeting schedule
- Resource needs
📌 Tip: Download a sample EdTech Club constitution from Sharebility.org or request one via email.
- Get Buy-in from School Administration
Present the club proposal to the school head and request:
- Allocation of weekly meeting time
- Access to ICT lab or a digital space
- Approval to publicize the club
- A teacher assigned as club patron or mentor
- Recruit Members and Form a Steering Committee
Promote the club through:
- Posters on notice boards
- Class visits and announcements
- Short ICT demos or showcases to spark interest
Form an interim steering committee with representatives from different classes to guide initial activities. Later, hold proper elections for club leadership.
- Create a Yearly Work Plan
Plan out activities term by term. A sample plan might include:
| Term | Activity |
|---|---|
| Term 1 | Club orientation, Scratch programming challenge |
| Term 2 | App building workshop, video project for SDG awareness |
| Term 3 | Inter-class digital innovation fair, website design project |
Always mix learning with action-based projects.
- Implement, Document, and Share Activities
Once the club is active:
- Hold weekly meetings with a clear agenda
- Have at least one active project per term
- Take photos and videos, write reports, and update a club blog or YouTube channel
- Use platforms like ictclubs.ug to share success stories
Suggested Activities for EdTech Clubs
Here are some exciting and practical ideas:
💻 Touch Typing Competitions
Use tools like TypingMaster (https://www.typingmaster.com) to improve speed and accuracy. Organize challenges and recognize top performers.
🎮 Scratch Programming
Introduce learners to coding using Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu). Let them build animations, games, or storytelling projects.
📱 Mobile App Development
Use MIT App Inventor (https://appinventor.mit.edu) to help learners build simple apps—like a health tracker, school timetable app, or digital quiz.
🌐 Web Design Projects
Design class blogs or school websites using WordPress. Participate in competitions like the Uganda Website Projects Challenge.
🎥 Digital Storytelling & Media Creation
Create short videos on themes like sanitation, climate change, or school events using smartphones and simple editing software like KineMaster or InShot.
🔌 Hardware Exploration
Work with kits like Arduino, Micro:bit, or Raspberry Pi for hands-on STEM experiments.
Resources You May Need
- A computer lab or ICT space
- Laptops/tablets/smartphones with internet access
- A projector or screen for demos
- Free/open-source software (available via Sharebility.net/software)
- Time on the school timetable (1 hour/week)
- A committed teacher mentor or ICT patron
- Club funds (can be raised via school support or small member contributions)
✨ Bonus: Create a shared club Google Drive or Sharebility folder to store documents, projects, and reports.
Case Studies & Success Stories
- New Jerusalem Mixed Junior School (Age 10) – Pupils developed and pitched the “News Shelf” blog project during the Uganda Website Projects Competition.
- Gayaza High School – Their ICT Club runs a vibrant YouTube channel with tutorials, events, and student tech reviews.
- Tororo Girls School – Developed a club app to track student attendance and club participation.
Sustaining the Club: Tips for Long-Term Impact**
- Integrate club achievements into the school calendar (e.g., Digital Fair Day, Code Week).
- Use student-led presentations during assemblies to build awareness and recruit new members.
- Encourage collaboration with other clubs, like the Science Club or Debating Club, for interdisciplinary projects.
- Seek external mentors or sponsors from universities, NGOs, or EdTech companies.
- Allow income-generating projects (e.g., typesetting services, video editing, printing, web design) to fund club activities.
Call to Action: Ignite Innovation in Your School
💡 For Teachers: Start and mentor an ICT or EdTech Club this term.
🏫 For Schools: Provide infrastructure and allocate time for weekly meetings.
🌍 For the Community and Partners: Volunteer your time or sponsor a club.
The next big innovator or tech solution could be sitting in your classroom today—waiting for the chance to explore, experiment, and express their ideas.
Let’s build a generation of learners who don’t just consume technology but create with it.
