American highly respected, nationally recognized principal, teacher, and educational leader for more than thirty years. A passionate promoter of public education, Susan Colton said “Children are the Priority. Change is the Reality. Collaboration is the Strategy.” Within this quote, there is power of knowledge sharing which is done through teachers’ collaboration.

Definitely, when teachers come together to share information, resources, ideas, and expertise, learning becomes more accessible and effective for students. Collaborating means purposefully building interpersonal relationships and working towards healthy interdependence, which occurs when teachers are comfortable giving and receiving help without forfeiting accountability. The key is acknowledging, understanding, and working diligently to overcome the challenges and obstacles standing in the way of high-quality teacher collaboration.

Secondary teachers trained by REB through CADIE Project, believe in the above concept of knowledge sharing at school level, where by trained teachers do support primary teachers who were not directly targeted by REB trainings. Speaking to teacher, Ntiziyaremye Theoneste who has been participating in the CADIE trainings from the last two years, believes that the knowledge is being shared to his work-mates (primary teachers ), “ I really appreciate the CADIE trainings and I am not saying this because I am Secondary teachers, even primary teacher are benefiting from our skills. We do support each other at this school.” He said

He continued by saying that when there is a task which needs ICT skills at this school, collaboration is always the pillar regardless whether someone is primary teacher or secondary teacher. “ Look we are now able to do students’ s reports using ICT skills. And of course trained secondary teachers are good at this exercise but we work together with primary teachers to get the job done quickly and smartly.” He noted

When teachers are the main motivator and initiator of the ICT implementation at schools, when teachers are aware of the social change in their teaching activities. They will be the agent of change from the classical method into the modern one, definitely they will also be part of the global change in learning and teaching modification.

Talking about ICT implementation at schools, there is no magic here, whether you train thousands and thousands of teachers, that will not be enough until teachers do realize the necessity of implementing the ICT skills acquired from trainings, and all this end results is manifested at school level with direct impact on students. Chemistry Teacher, Nizeyimana Theobard at ES Saint Vincent Muhoza believes that through CADIE ICT trainings, there is a the change from classical method to modern one; “ For sure, there is improvement here , we do use software in producing reports, we do attendance’s check using software , we do research in our respective lessons using internet and computers; I would say that we changed mindset completely, we are familiar with ICT tools, definitely we are moving with technological world of education.” He noted

“CADIE trainings have impacted enough, having computer and be able to navigate all resources which are online, lesson preparation is easier and lesson delivery is also amazing. You know why? I use ICT tools like projector, computer, downloaded content from YouTube is added value which increases student motivation to follow the lesson happily.” Teacher, Bernard Uwitonze at TTC De La Salle de Byumba mentioned.

One would say that having ICT tools is enough which is incorrect, these tools need motivated teachers who are willing to go extra-mire in shaping the lives of tomorrow’s generation. The materials and tools used in teaching have an influence upon the students as well as the teachers. In a world with more and more emerging computer systems, mobile devices and ubiquitous computing, it is important to adopt teaching methods that make the best use of technology.

We argue that the teachers’ motivation to use new emerging systems is very important, especially for teaching technology . ICT tools for education increasingly spread into teaching and learning. But one should ask him/herself why are some of the tools used successfully while others are not used at all? An unsearchable answer would be the mindset like we have mentioned earlier before, and of course based on teachers we have talked to. It is true CADIE trainings have changed teacher’s understanding in one way or another. Teacher Ntiziyaremye at GS Byumba Inyange says: “I very confident to say that CADIE trainings have sharpened me, imagine we have 105 computers before trainings these computers were not being used! Why? Because teachers were not familiar with ICT tools. To be honest, we used to think that computer lab is for only ICT teacher but now we have 2 computer labs , and all teachers do find themselves in the need using them.” He said

It has been noted that schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information. In some contexts, ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning interaction, through such approaches as replacing chalkboards with interactive digital whiteboards, using students’ own smartphones or other devices for learning during class time, and the “flipped classroom” model where students watch lectures at home on the computer and use classroom time for more interactive exercises.

When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these approaches can lead to higher order thinking skills, provide creative and individualized options for students to express their understandings, and leave students better prepared to deal with ongoing technological change in society and the workplace. The trained teachers confirm the power ICT in teaching and learning process. Speaking to teacher at TTC De La Salle Byumba in Northern Province, Bernard Uwitonze who is also passionate about training the future teachers from TTC says: “ I am able to use google. Form, MS teams app, Google class app, Kahooki app, Mentimeter app, and I gained skills from CADIE trainings. I am on the level of creating chalk less class which is something I never dreamed capable of in many years back.” He underlined

Different researches have linked the Improvement of the quality of education and ICT training for teachers, and one of the elements of improving quality education through ICT is student motivation, engagement and promotion of the shifting to a learner-centered environment. ICT such as videos and multimedia computer softwares that combine text, sound, and colorful, moving images can be used to provide challenging and authentic content that will engage the student in the learning process. The teachers strongly feel that the visual aural combination if integrated with the textbook and syllabus, can work wonders in getting across abstract concepts and logics to the children in a short span of time. This is not different from the believes of trained teachers in Northern province, speaking to teacher Jean Claude Rwamurangwa at ESS de Musanze says: “When you use ICT tools with the supporting content downloaded on YouTube students are always attentive and motivated, definitely they enjoy the lesson and increases the possibility of understanding the lesson due to conducive environment they are in . However, it is not only good for students but also for teachers because your objectives of the lessons will be achieved at the end.” He said

Yes, it is really true that intelligent teachers are in a continuous learning mode. They are invigorated by the quest of life long learning. Their confidence, in combination with their inquisitiveness, allows them to constantly search for new and better ways. Teachers with this habit of mind are always striving for improvement, growing, learning, modifying and improving themselves.

A teacher will never say I am done with new knowledge or skill, that can happen especially in this era of ICT. They seize problems, situations, tensions, conflicts, and circumstances as valuable opportunities to learn as other human being . A great mystery about humans is that we often confront learning opportunities with fear rather than mystery and wonder. We seem to feel better when we know rather than when we learn. We defend our biases, beliefs, and storehouses of knowledge rather than invite the unknown, the creative, and the inspirational which makes them intellectuals once forever. However, that does not mean not to collaborate with others or learning from others. In the view of teacher, Theoneste, continuous learning is a star that will never fade ahead of him.” I will continue learning or training myself especially on how to use electronic chalk board. This technique is awesome , I even encourage other teachers to learn how to use it.” He said

“Fitting in the era of ICT in education is journey which will never stop, that means I will have to continue learning more, at least I thank CADIE project for sharpening my mind to see ICT as helper in my teaching process.” Teacher at ESS Musanze, Jean Claude Rwamurangwa says.

Trained teachers in Northern Province, do appreciate the support given by REB trough CADIE project and are committed to utilize all resources which are in their disposal. In the view of Nzitiyaremye, ICT tools have impacted him positively in his duties as teacher; “ I thank REB through CADIE, before I did not have any single computer but now I have my own computer given by CADIE, as you know based on the financial capacity of teachers it was not easy to own it by myself.” He underlined.

Although all teachers do appreciate the impact of ICT trainings in teaching and learning process, they also request speed internet and enough computers for both teachers and students, and they would wish to have continuous trainings especial the physical ( face to face) trainings.