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.