After identifying and researching a problem in your community, the next important step is to identify solutions.

A solution is the method, idea, or innovation you create to solve the problem.

In the UCC ICT Clubs Innovation Program, your solution must be a mobile app or web app.

This is because technology allows your solution to reach many people quickly and efficiently.

For example:

A physical notebook can track student attendance in one school.

But an app can track attendance in thousands of schools.

Technology increases impact.

IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO INVENT FROM ZERO

Many students think innovation means inventing something completely new.

This is not always true.

Innovation can mean:

Improving something that exists
Making something cheaper
Making something faster
Applying an existing idea in a new place

REAL EXAMPLES

Example 1: School Fees Problem

Problem:

Parents forget school fees balances.

Existing solution:

School writes letters.

Improved ICT solution:

Create an app that sends SMS reminders.

Example 2: Farming Problem

Problem:

Farmers don’t know crop prices.

Existing solution:

Farmers travel to markets.

ICT solution:

Create app showing daily prices.

Example 3: Health Problem

Problem:

People forget clinic appointments.

Solution:

Create reminder app.

POSSIBLE FEATURES YOUR APP CAN HAVE

Your app must help solve the problem.

Below are important solution strategies.

1. COLLECT DATA AND RAISE AWARENESS

Your app can collect information.

Example Uganda Scenario:

Problem:

Poor sanitation in school.

Solution app collects:

Toilet cleanliness reports.

School improves sanitation.

Another example:

App collects malaria cases.

Health workers respond faster.

2. MOTIVATE BEHAVIOR CHANGE

Apps can motivate people.

Example Uganda Scenario:

Problem:

Students do not revise.

Solution:

App rewards revision.

Students earn points.

Students improve.

Example:

Environment cleaning app.

Students earn badges.

School becomes clean.

3. BUILD EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING

Apps help people understand problems.

Example:

App teaches about HIV prevention.

Students become aware.

Community becomes safer.

4. IMPLEMENT AND TRACK ACTION

Apps help track progress.

Example:

ICT Club attendance tracking app.

Teacher tracks participation.

Improves performance.

IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS TECHNOLOGY ALWAYS THE BEST SOLUTION?

Sometimes technology is useful.

Sometimes it is not.

Example:

Problem:

Lonely elderly people.

Non-technology solution:

Visit them physically.

Technology improvement:

App connects volunteers.

EXAMPLE: ELDERLY CARE

Problem:

Elderly in villages feel lonely.

Solution:

App connects youth volunteers.

Youth visit elderly.

Community improves.

BRAINSTORMING SOLUTIONS

Brainstorming means thinking of many ideas.

RULES OF BRAINSTORMING

Accept all ideas
Do not criticize
Build on ideas
Think creatively
Focus on quantity

ICT CLUB BRAINSTORMING EXAMPLE

Problem: Poor school attendance.

Ideas brainstormed:

• Attendance tracking app
• SMS reminder system
• Parent notification system
• Reward system

Best solution selected:

Attendance reminder app.

ACTIVITY 1: BRAINSTORMING SOLUTIONS

Step 1:

Write problem on paper.

Example:

Poor waste management.

Step 2:

Write many solutions.

Example:

Waste reporting app
Garbage collection tracker
Cleanliness awareness app

Step 3: Select best solution.

ACTIVITY 2: CHOOSING BEST SOLUTION

Choose solution that is:

• Useful
• Practical
• Innovative
• Technology-based

UCC ICT CLUB SUCCESS EXAMPLE

Problem: Students lacked access to revision materials.

Solution: KAWA CONNECT offline learning platform.

Result: Thousands of students now access learning.

This is real innovation.

HOW AI CAN HELP CREATE SOLUTIONS

AI can improve solutions.

Example:

Crop disease detection app.

Student takes photo.

AI identifies disease.

Farmer gets help.

EXAMPLE: SAFE CITY APP

Problem:

Crime in community.

Solution:

App reports crime.

Police respond faster.

USING CHATGPT AND AI FOR IDEAS

Students can ask AI:

Example prompt:

“Suggest solutions for school sanitation problem”

AI gives ideas.

Students improve ideas.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Which solution excites you most?

Why?

How is your solution different?

How will your app help people?

KEY TERMS

Solution

Method to solve problem

Innovation

New or improved solution

Brainstorming

Generating ideas

Technology Solution

Solution using apps

SUMMARY

Innovation begins with identifying solutions.

Solutions can improve existing ideas.

Technology increases impact.

Apps help solve community problems.

ICT Club students can build real solutions.

PRACTICAL CLASS 

Brainstorm solutions for:

School fees problem
Attendance problem
Waste problem

Select one solution.

Prepare to build app.