Chalk Code: The Teacher Who Drew Microsoft Word by Hand

In February 2018, a series of photos emerged from a classroom in rural Ghana that would capture the world's attention and spark a global conversation about the digital divide in education. The images showed intricate chalk drawings of a Microsoft Word interface on a blackboard, meticulously rendered down to the last button and menu. Behind this extraordinary feat was Richard Appiah Akoto, a dedicated information and communication technology (ICT) teacher determined to prepare his students for a digital future despite having no access to actual computers.

The Teacher Behind the Chalk

Richard Appiah Akoto, who also goes by the name Owura Kwadwo Hottish, taught at Betenase M/A Junior High School in Sekyedomase, located in Ghana's Ashanti Region. Like many in rural areas across Ghana and throughout the developing world, the school lacked basic technological resources. Yet, the national curriculum required students to pass exams that included computer skills.

With this seemingly impossible challenge, Akoto found a solution demonstrating remarkable creativity and dedication: he would become the computer.

"I wanted to teach them how to launch Microsoft Word. But I had no computer to show them," Akoto explained in interviews after his viral story. "I had to do my best. So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk."

A Screenshot in Chalk

What made Akoto's blackboard drawings extraordinary wasn't just that he drew a computer interface—the astonishing level of detail he included. His colored chalk renderings featured:

• The complete Microsoft Word ribbon interface with all tabs

• Dropdown menus with their options visible

• The document workspace with rulers and scroll bars

• Dialog boxes with accurate button placements

• Even the system tray clock and notification icons

Each drawing would take Akoto about 30 minutes to complete before his lessons began. Then, using only his drawings, he would explain to his students how to navigate the software, teaching them concepts like "click," "drag," "copy," and "paste" without a single mouse or keyboard in the classroom.

"I do it to make my students understand what I'm teaching," Akoto said. "At least to give a picture of what they will see assuming they were behind a computer."

Going Viral and Changing Lives

In February 2018, Akoto posted photos of his blackboard Microsoft Word interface on Facebook, with a simple caption about teaching ICT in rural Ghana. He did not expect that anyone beyond his friends would see it. But the internet had other plans.

The post quickly went viral, spreading across social media platforms and catching the attention of tech enthusiasts, educators, and eventually, Microsoft. People worldwide were moved by the teacher's ingenuity and commitment to his students' education despite severe resource constraints.

Rebecca Enonchong, a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur, was among those who saw the post and decided to act. She tagged Microsoft Africa on Twitter, asking if they could help Akoto with proper resources. Microsoft responded, and within weeks, they had arranged to provide Akoto with a computer and access to educational resources. But the story didn't end there.

Microsoft and Beyond

Impressed by Akoto's dedication and creativity, Microsoft invited him to attend their Education Exchange (E2) in Singapore in March 2018. There, he met with other innovative educators from around the world and was presented with hardware and software for his school.

"What he's doing is amazing because he's showing the kids, 'Look, you can do this,'" said Anthony Salcito, then Microsoft's Vice President of Education, at the event. "And that's the spirit of what we need teachers to do."

The attention brought by Akoto's story also attracted other donors. NIIT Ghana, a computer training institute, donated five desktop computers to the school. The Moroccan King's Adviser, Serigne Mboup, also pledged 50 computers and a laptop for Akoto.

Suddenly, the teacher who had been drawing computers with chalk had access to technology for his classroom.

The Larger Context: Ghana's Digital Divide

Akoto's viral fame highlighted a challenge that extends far beyond his classroom. Like many developing nations, Ghana faces a significant digital divide between urban and rural areas.

Private schools in major cities like Accra and Kumasi often have computer labs and internet access. But in rural communities, many schools lack computers and sometimes even basic infrastructure like reliable electricity.

The government has made efforts to address this disparity through initiatives like the Ghana Education Service's ICT policy, which aims to integrate technology into education nationwide. However, implementation has been uneven, and many schools continue to fall behind.

According to UNESCO data from around Akoto's viral moment, less than 30% of Ghanaian schools had computer facilities. Yet, ICT education was mandatory, and students would be tested on computer skills in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Teaching Innovation Born of Necessity

Akoto's approach is particularly fascinating from an educational perspective because it demonstrates that effective teaching often transcends tools and technology. "Teaching is not about the tools you have; it's about your passion to change lives," Akoto said in an interview after his story went viral.

Education experts have pointed out that Akoto's method, born of necessity, actually incorporates several powerful learning principles:

• Visualization: By creating detailed visual representations, he helped students form mental models of software they couldn't physically use.

• Conceptual understanding: Without the ability to rely on rote practice, his teaching emphasized understanding the concepts and logic behind computer operations.

• Problem-solving mindset: His own example showed students how to work creatively within constraints.

Some observers have even suggested that, in certain ways, his students might develop a deeper understanding of computing concepts than those who follow click-by-click instructions without grasping the underlying logic.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of Akoto's story extended far beyond his classroom. It sparked discussions about educational inequality, appropriate technology for developing contexts, and the resourcefulness of teachers worldwide who work in challenging circumstances.

His example inspired other educators facing similar challenges. Reports emerged of teachers in other resource-limited settings adopting his approach, drawing computer interfaces to help their students visualize technology they couldn't access directly.

More broadly, his story contributed to ongoing conversations about bridging the global digital divide in education, highlighting the ingenuity of local solutions and the continued need for systemic change.

Where Are They Now?

In the years following his viral fame, Akoto has continued teaching and advocating for better technological resources in schools. He established the "Teaching ICT Without Computers" initiative to help other teachers in similar situations.

For Betenase M/A Junior High School, the computers and resources they received marked a significant improvement, though challenges remain. Not all donated equipment has been sustainable in the long term due to maintenance issues and electricity constraints.

As for Akoto's students, they eventually had the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge to practice on actual computers. Many performed remarkably well on their exams, a testament to their teacher's effectiveness despite the limitations he faced.

Beyond the Viral Moment: Lasting Lessons

While the immediate response to Akoto's story focused on getting computers into his classroom—an undoubtedly valuable goal—the deeper lessons of his approach continue to resonate in educational discussions:

1. Resource gaps require creative solutions: While we should work to close the digital divide, educators in resource-limited settings can still find innovative ways to prepare students.

2. Teaching is fundamentally about human connection: Despite the growing emphasis on educational technology, Akoto's story reminds us that dedicated teachers remain the most powerful educational resource.

3. Conceptual understanding matters: Sometimes, focusing on the underlying concepts rather than specific tools can provide students with more transferable knowledge.

4. Visible challenges often mask invisible dedication: For every viral story like Akoto's, countless educators worldwide make similar sacrifices daily without recognition.

   
   

The Road Ahead

The digital divide in education remains a significant challenge globally. According to the International Telecommunication Union, nearly half the world's population still lacks internet access, particularly in developing regions and rural areas.

For students in these regions, teachers like Richard Appiah Akoto serve as crucial bridges to the digital future—using whatever tools they have available to prepare their students for a rapidly evolving world.

His chalk-drawn Microsoft Word interface is both a symbol of educational inequality and a testament to the extraordinary lengths dedicated educators will go to overcome barriers. It reminds us that while technology can enhance education, the heart of learning remains human creativity, determination, and the unwavering belief that all students deserve preparation for the future, whether they have computers or just chalk and a blackboard.

As Akoto put it: "Every child deserves to be educated, no matter where they come from, what they have, or what they don't have."