Course Content
UNIT 1: Foundations of Innovation & AI
Through the UCC ICT Clubs Innovation & AI Program, you will learn how to design and code your own mobile or web application to solve real problems in your community. ICT Club members of St. John SSS Nandere, Luwero excited about the launch of ICT Club by UCC ICT Club members of St. John SSS Nandere, Luwero excited about the launch of ICT Club by UCC This program prepares you to develop solutions that can compete at the National Council for Communications (NCC) Annual Competitions. You are not just learning to code. You are learning to become an innovator. 💻 What is Code? Code is a special set of instructions that people write to tell a computer what to do. Computers are very powerful machines, but they cannot think on their own. They only do exactly what they are told to do. Code is the way we give those instructions. Think of code like giving directions to someone. If you tell a friend, “Walk straight, turn left, then stop,” they will follow your instructions step by step. In the same way, when a programmer writes code, the computer follows those instructions step by step. Every mobile app you use works because someone wrote code. Every website you visit works because someone wrote code. Even games, ATMs, school systems, online shopping platforms, and social media apps work because of code. Coding (also called programming) simply means writing those instructions in a language that the computer understands. There are different programming languages, just like there are different human languages. For example, people speak English, Luganda, Swahili, and many others. Computers also have languages such as Python, JavaScript, Scratch, and block-based programming tools like App Inventor. Code is everywhere around you. When you send a message on WhatsApp, code is working. When you watch videos on YouTube, code is working. When your school uses a digital report system, code is working. When mobile money calculates your balance, code is working. You use technology built with code many times every day — even if you do not see the code itself. In this course, you will move from being just a user of technology to becoming a creator of technology. You will learn how to write code that solves real problems in your community. 📱 Examples of Things Made with Code Messaging apps like WhatsApp Mobile apps Games like The Sims Online games Animations and videos Banking systems School management systems E-learning platforms 🗣 Stop and Discuss What are some things you enjoy that were created using code? Think about: Social media Music apps School portals Online shopping Transport apps Discuss with your team. 🌍 Using Code to Help People Coding is not only for entertainment. You can use code to solve real-world problems. Here are some examples: 🏥 Healthcare Code helps doctors: Analyze medical scans Store patient records Detect diseases early Track outbreaks ♿ Assistive Devices Technology helps people with disabilities: Text-to-speech systems Smart hearing devices Mobility tools 🤖 Robots Robots are programmed using code to: Assist in hospitals Help in factories Perform dangerous tasks Technology can change lives. And you can build that technology. 🤖 What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Another important topic in this program is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Artificial Intelligence is the ability of machines or computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. These tasks include: Recognizing faces Understanding speech Making recommendations Detecting patterns Predicting outcomes The human brain is very complex. For many years, scientists worked hard to make computers “think” in intelligent ways. Over the past 50 years, great progress has been made in AI. Today, AI is part of everyday life. 🌐 Examples of AI in Daily Life Self-driving vehicles YouTube video recommendations Face recognition systems Spam email detection Voice assistants Smart farming systems Fraud detection in banks 🗣 Stop and Discuss Can you think of other examples of AI in your daily life? Consider: Google search results TikTok suggestions Weather prediction apps Mobile money fraud alerts Online exam systems Discuss as a team. 🎯 Why Learning AI Matters As a young innovator in Uganda: You should understand how AI works. You should know how it affects your life. You should learn how to use it responsibly. You might integrate AI into your competition project. AI is not just for big companies. It is for students like you. 🗓 Program Timeline & Key Dates Your ICT Club Patron will share: Training timeline Submission deadlines NCC competition dates Internal school presentation dates Stay organized. Work as a team. Start early. 🚀 LET’S GET STARTED! You are about to begin your journey as: A coder A problem solver An innovator A future tech entrepreneur
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Introduction to ICT Club Innovation Program
00:00
Generative AI Tools for Problem Solving
In this lesson, you will learn how to use generative AI tools responsibly to support your innovation project. Generative AI can help you brainstorm ideas, research problems, design your app, write code, create presentations, and even edit videos. However, while AI is useful, it must be used carefully and ethically. You will explore both the benefits and the risks of AI. You will learn that AI can sometimes generate incorrect information, show bias, or raise privacy concerns. Because of this, you must verify information, protect user data, avoid plagiarism, and ensure fairness in your solutions. This lesson will guide you on how to interact with AI as a responsible innovator. You will learn practical strategies for writing effective prompts, refining responses, and understanding the output generated by AI tools. Most importantly, you will create a Responsible AI Use Plan that explains how your team will use AI in a transparent and ethical way during your project. By the end of this lesson, you will understand that AI is not a replacement for your thinking. It is a support tool. You remain the creator. You remain the decision-maker. AI simply helps you build smarter, stronger, and more innovative solutions.
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Generative AI Tools for Problem Solving
00:00
Identifying Community Problems
Lesson Introduction Before you build an app… Before you design a solution… Before you write a single line of code… You must first find the right problem. The strongest innovation projects always begin with a clearly understood community problem. This lesson helps you: Understand what a problem really is Identify communities you belong to Observe real needs in Uganda Categorize problems using the UN Sustainable Development Goals Brainstorm impactful ideas
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Identifying Community Problems
00:00
Solving Problems with Technology
You have identified a real community problem. Now comes the next big question: How can technology help solve it? In this lesson, you will explore how mobile phones, web applications, and Artificial Intelligence can be used to create powerful, practical solutions. Not every problem needs technology. But when technology is used correctly, it can: Scale solutions Save time Improve access Increase accuracy Connect people Your task is to decide how technology fits into your solution.
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Solving Problems with Technology
Exploring Mobile App Builders
IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL: ✔ Learn about different app builders and programming languages ✔ Understand block-based vs text-based coding ✔ Get set up to build your first mobile app ✔ Explore simple tools suitable for ICT Clubs ✔ Learn how AI can help you build apps faster
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Exploring Mobile App Builders
Exploring Web App Builders
IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL: ✔ Understand what a web app is ✔ Differentiate between mobile apps, web apps, and progressive web apps ✔ Learn beginner-friendly web app development options ✔ Install and set up a simple web development environment ✔ Understand how AI can be integrated into web apps
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INTRODUCTION
ALGORITHMS
IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL: ✔ Understand what an algorithm is ✔ See real-life examples of algorithms ✔ Practice writing precise instructions ✔ Connect algorithms to coding and AI ✔ Prepare for app development logic
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WHAT IS AN ALGORITHM?
UNIT 2: Research & AI Foundations
Unit 2 moves students from identifying problems to validating them through research and technology exploration. In this unit, learners begin to think like innovators and researchers. They go beyond observation and start gathering real evidence from their communities. Students learn how to conduct structured research, interview stakeholders, analyze needs, and verify that a problem is real, significant, and worth solving. The unit emphasizes that strong innovation is built on verified data, not assumptions. Students explore how to: Conduct real-world research Engage and partner with community organizations Narrow down and select a meaningful, impactful problem Understand foundational Artificial Intelligence concepts Explore technical tools more deeply through App Inventor and Web App development 🔹 Researching Real-World Problems Students learn structured research methods such as: Surveys Interviews Observation Field visits Data collection They analyze patterns and document evidence to support their chosen problem. This ensures their project is rooted in reality and not guesswork. 🔹 Partnering with Community Organizations Students are encouraged to collaborate with: Schools Health centers NGOs Farmer groups SACCOs Youth organizations Through partnerships, students gain access to: Real challenges Expert insights User feedback Validation opportunities This step strengthens both impact and competition readiness. 🔹 Selecting a Meaningful Problem After research, teams compare potential problems using criteria such as: Relevance Impact Feasibility Technological suitability Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Teams then formally define a clear, specific, measurable problem statement to guide development. 🔹 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Students are introduced to: What AI is How AI works Where AI is used in everyday life When AI is appropriate in a solution They learn that AI is a tool—not a requirement—and must be used ethically and responsibly. 🔹 App Inventor: Closer Look Students deepen their understanding of: Components Events Logic structures Data storage Basic AI extensions They begin thinking about how their researched problem can translate into a functional mobile app. 🔹 Web Apps: Diving Deeper For advanced teams, students explore: Text-based coding Python and Streamlit Web app architecture AI integration in web platforms They evaluate whether a web-based solution better fits their project goals. 🔹 End of Unit Outcome By the end of Unit 2, each team should have: ✔ A validated, researched problem ✔ Evidence from the community ✔ A selected technology pathway (Mobile or Web) ✔ Basic understanding of AI relevance ✔ Clear direction toward solution design
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Researching Problems
Partnering with Community Organizations
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Partnering with Community Organizations
Selecting a Meaningful Problem
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Selecting a Meaningful Problem
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
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All About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
00:00
App Inventor: Closer Look
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Introduction to App Inventor
00:00
Web Apps: Diving Deeper
https://audio.com/moseswa4/audio/turn-python-scripts-into-streamlit-web-apps1
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Introduction to Web Apps
00:00
UNIT 3: Designing Smart Solutions
Identifying Innovative Solutions Responsible Research and Innovation Market Research Basics App Inventor: Coding Conditionals Finding Patterns with AI
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From problem to Solution
00:00
Building apps that help people and do not harm them.
As ICT Club innovators, you are learning to build powerful mobile apps and web apps that can solve real community problems. But creating technology is not only about making it work. It is also about making sure your technology: Helps people Does not harm people Respects privacy Works fairly for everyone This is called Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).
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Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
(RRI) Assessment
00:05:00
Market Research
Know your users Improve your idea Build correct features Build successful products
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Responsible Research and Innovation
06:22
Market Research and Target Market Quiz
00:04:00
Introduction to Conditional Statements
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Introduction to Conditional Statements
06:17
App Inventor Conditional Statements Decision-Making Quiz
00:05:00
ICT Clubs Startup Development Course

Market research is the process of collecting information about your users and competitors so that you can build a product that people really need and will use.
It helps you avoid guessing and instead make decisions based on real information.

Market research answers important questions such as:

Will people use my product?

Who exactly will use it?

What features should I include?

How can my product be better than others?

Before building any app, system, or innovation, you must first understand your users and your competitors.

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

 

The target market

The target market is the specific group of people who will use your product.

These people have the problem you are trying to solve.

You identify them by asking:

Who has this problem?

How old are they?

Where do they live?

What devices do they use?

What language do they use?

What challenges do they face?

Knowing your target market helps you design your product correctly.

Examples with what to build and what is needed

Example 1: School Notes Sharing App

Problem

Students miss school notes when absent.

They perform poorly because they lack learning materials.

Target market

Secondary school students

What you can build

A mobile app where students download notes and quizzes.

What you need to build it

Hardware:

Computer or laptop

Smartphone for testing

Internet connection

Software:

MIT App Inventor (easy for beginners)

or

Flutter (advanced)

or

Website builder (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

Content:

Notes from teachers

Quizzes

Past papers

People needed:

Students for testing

Teachers to provide notes

Developer to build app

How you can make it step-by-step

Step 1

Open MIT App Inventor

Step 2

Create buttons:

Download Notes

Take Quiz

View Past Papers

Step 3

Add PDF files

Step 4

Test with students

Step 5

Improve based on feedback

Competitors

WhatsApp groups

Textbooks

YouTube

How your app can be better

Organize notes properly

Work offline

Add quizzes

Example 2: Farming Advice App

Problem

Farmers lack farming information.

They suffer crop losses.

Target market

Farmers

What you can build

Mobile farming advice app

What you need

Hardware:

Computer

Phone

Internet

Software:

MIT App Inventor

or Website builder

Content:

Farming advice

Weather information

Voice recordings

People needed:

Farmers for testing

Agriculture experts

Developer

How to build

Step 1

Create simple screens:

Weather

Advice

Tips

Step 2

Add voice advice

Step 3

Test with farmers

Step 4

Improve

Competitors

Radio programs

Agriculture officers

Improvement

Make information available anytime

Use local language

Example 3: School Fees Saving App

Problem

Students fail to save money.

They misuse school fees.

Target market

Students

Parents

What you can build

Savings tracking app

What you need

Computer

Phone

MIT App Inventor

Features to build

Enter amount saved

Show total saved

Show savings goal

How to build

Step 1

Create input box

Step 2

Create save button

Step 3

Display savings total

Competitors

Mobile money

Saving money manually

Improvement

Better tracking

Goal setting

Example 4: Boda Safety App

Problem

Passengers cannot verify riders.

Target market

Passengers

Students

What you can build

App showing trusted riders

What you need

Computer

Phone

MIT App Inventor

Google Maps

Features

View rider

Call rider

Share location

Competitors

Normal boda riders

Improvement

Better safety

Verified riders

Example 5: School Timetable App

Problem

Students forget timetable

Target market

Students

What you build

Timetable app

What you need

Computer

MIT App Inventor

School timetable

How to build

Step 1

Add subjects

Step 2

Add days

Step 3

Display timetable

Competitors

Paper timetable

Improvement

Easy access

How to interview users

What you need:

Notebook

Pen

Questions

Example questions:

Do you have this problem?

How do you solve it now?

Would you use this app?

What features do you want?

How to create surveys

What you need:

Paper

or

Google Forms

Example questions:

Would you use this app?

Yes

No

Maybe

How to do competitor research

What you need:

Internet

Phone

Computer

Steps:

Search similar apps

Study features

Identify weaknesses

Improve your app

Tools you can use to build apps

For beginners

MIT App Inventor

Thunkable

Kodular

For advanced learners

Flutter

Java

Kotlin

For websites

HTML

CSS

JavaScript

WordPress

Class activity

Create your own app idea

Answer:

Problem

Target market

Competitors

What you need

How to build

Summary

Market research helps you:

Know your users

Improve your idea

Build correct features

Build successful products

Successful innovators:

Research first

Build later

Exercise Files
Don_t_Build_Apps_Nobody_Wants.mp3
Size: 12.38 MB
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