Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports 2016 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION AT ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE IN THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU Timothy R. Ward Michigan Technological University, [email protected] Copyright 2016 Timothy R. Ward Recommended Citation Ward, Timothy R., "INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION AT ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE IN THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU", Open Access Master's Report, Michigan Technological University, 2016. https://doi.org/10.37099/mtu.dc.etdr/221 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/etdr INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION AT ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE IN THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU By Timothy R. Ward A REPORT Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE In Computer Science MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 2016 © 2016 Timothy R. Ward This report has been approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Computer Science. Department of Computer Science Report Advisor: Dr. Linda Ott Committee Member: Dr. Jean Mayo Committee Member: Dr. Charles Wallace Department Chair: Dr. Min Song Long pipol blong Vanuatu Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv Preface ................................................................................................................................. 1 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter I: About Vanuatu ................................................................................................... 4 History ............................................................................................................................ 4 Independence .................................................................................................................. 4 World War II ................................................................................................................... 5 Colonialism ..................................................................................................................... 5 Language ......................................................................................................................... 6 Religion ........................................................................................................................... 7 Culture ............................................................................................................................ 8 Economy ....................................................................................................................... 10 Tourism ......................................................................................................................... 11 Geography ..................................................................................................................... 12 Government .................................................................................................................. 13 Chapter II: Education in Vanuatu ..................................................................................... 15 Organizational Structure ............................................................................................... 15 School Types and Student/Teacher Composition ......................................................... 16 Fees, Logistics, and Availability ................................................................................... 20 Post Secondary Opportunities ....................................................................................... 21 History of St. Patrick’s College .................................................................................... 22 St. Patrick’s College: A School of Two Thoughts ........................................................ 23 History of the IT Program at St. Patrick’s College ....................................................... 24 Student Socio-Economic Backgrounds and Demographics ......................................... 28 Arrival of a New Peace Corps Volunteer at SPC ......................................................... 31 Throughout Service: Internet , Electricity, and the Computer Lab .............................. 32 Chapter III: Curriculum Development and Improvement ................................................ 34 Project Overview .......................................................................................................... 34 Challenges: Prescriptions .............................................................................................. 43 New Approaches: Prescriptions .................................................................................... 44 Challenges: Work Environment .................................................................................... 46 New Approaches: Work Environment .......................................................................... 46 Challenges: UAI, LTO, and MAS ................................................................................ 47 New Approaches: UAI, LTO, and MAS ...................................................................... 48 Challenges: IDV ........................................................................................................... 51 New Approaches: IDV .................................................................................................. 53 Chapter IV: Teaching Classes ........................................................................................... 56 Project Overview .......................................................................................................... 56 Challenges: Curriculum Choices .................................................................................. 57 New Approaches: Curriculum Choices ........................................................................ 58 Challenges: IDV ........................................................................................................... 61 New Approaches: IDV .................................................................................................. 62 Challenges: PDI ............................................................................................................ 65 New Approaches: PDI .................................................................................................. 65 Challenges: MAS .......................................................................................................... 67 New Approaches: MAS ................................................................................................ 68 Challenges: Language and IT Ethnocentrism ............................................................... 68 New Approaches: Language and IT Ethnocentrism ..................................................... 70 Chapter V: SPC Staff Capacity Building .......................................................................... 73 The Project .................................................................................................................... 73 Teaching/Curriculum Crossover ................................................................................... 76 Challenges: MAS and LTO .......................................................................................... 77 New Approaches: MAS and LTO ................................................................................ 77 Challenges: PDI and Privilege ...................................................................................... 78 New Approaches: PDI and Privilege ............................................................................ 81 Chapter VI: Computer Lab Project ................................................................................... 83 The Project .................................................................................................................... 83 Challenges: Logistics, Electricity, Environment, Money ............................................. 83 New Approaches: Logistics, Electricity, Environment, Money ................................... 86 Challenges: Software and Internet ................................................................................ 89 New Approaches: Software and Internet ...................................................................... 90 Chapter VII: Gender and Development Project ................................................................ 91 The Project .................................................................................................................... 91 Kamp GLOW/BILD ..................................................................................................... 94 Gender Based Violence Prevention .............................................................................. 95 Chapter VIII: Analysis ...................................................................................................... 97 Limitations of Methodology ......................................................................................... 97 Future work at SPC ......................................................................................................