'Blackboard ICT Teacher' Gets A Rousing Applause At Singapore Conference

Richard Akoto, was in Singapore on the ticket of Microsoft as part of the global technology giant’s support for him after he went viral earlier this year

– The teacher gained the attention of the world after he posted photos of himself improvising by drawing the entire Microsoft Word window on a blackboard to teach his pupils

– Richard’s viral story has since gotten a benefactor at UK’s University of Leeds to donate a brand new laptop to his school

The Ghanaian ICT teacher who used a blackboard drawing to teach his students how to launch Microsoft Word, was welcomed with a raucous cheer when he appeared on stage at the Education Exchange conference in Singapore.

Richard Akoto Appiah became an internet sensation when his exploits in using drawings on a black board to teach his students how launch to Microsoft Word went viral.

The 34-year-old who teaches at Betenase M/A Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase posted photos of how he takes his pupils through ICT lessons on Facebook, leading to many reviews.

“Teaching of ICT in Ghana’s school is very funny,” he said on the caption accompanying the said post.

With the photos going viral, international media firms like the CNN and BBC featured him as his story became known across the globe.

Microsoft Africa also took notice of his exploits and invited him for the Microsoft Education Exchange 2018 being held in Singapore.

The event brought together over 400 educators and school leaders from 91 countries to discuss the role of technology in education.

When Mr. Akoto Appiah was called to step up on stage he received a standing ovation from all who were present in acknowledgement of his exploits.

Richard Appiah (R) with Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito (L) in Singapore

The Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito, was full of praise for the Ghanaian teacher, saying his work “has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future.”

On his part, Mr. Akoto Appiah said he was delighted to have taken part in the Microsoft Education Exchange conference.

According to him, “something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers”.

He added: “I wanted to teach them [the pupils] how to launch Microsoft Word. But I had no computer to show them. I had to do my best. So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk.

“I drew the features and labeled them correctly so that they would know what-was-what. Then I drew what you would see on your computer screen after launching Word.