Which is a good computer to buy for your afterschool program? This was the question I asked myself a few months ago while setting up my own afterschool program. There are several interesting options to look at:
The One Laptop Per Child program in India is now spreading to new locations. There are 6 pilot locations in the states of Maharashtra, UP, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
The use of thin client computing is also spreading. See this article for an idea of what this is about.
Free and open source software has much to offer. For starters there is the linux operating system Edubuntu created for use in educational settings.
But finally what matters (in my view) is what you do with the machines (whatever they are). I know schools and organizations where computers are used more as glorified type writers. You use it for nothing more than typing and formatting text - that too in the most mundane way possible. So choose any computer that your pocket can comfortably allow - spend time and energy on stocking it with the right software and on designing good activities and projects around it.
As for my afterschool centre, I chose standard PCs - but what I've stocked them with is super-standard!
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tell a Story Afterschool!
The potential of digital storytelling for getting children to think (deeply!) and communicate is being recognized the world over. Sadly, this hasn't really taken off in India. Computer classes in and out of school are limited to dull assignments on word processing and making presentations (I asked one 8 year old what he did in computer class - he said he typed 'India is my country' over and over again!).
What a pleasure it is then, to discover a digital storytelling project right in my city! The Modern Story project collaborates with the Digital Equalizer initiative of the American India Foundation to introduce digital story telling to government secondary schools. The project currently reaches two schools in Andhra Pradesh. Their site offers interesting activities, lesson plans and chalk board views of lessons on digital storytelling. You can also see what the students participating in this project have created.
What a pleasure it is then, to discover a digital storytelling project right in my city! The Modern Story project collaborates with the Digital Equalizer initiative of the American India Foundation to introduce digital story telling to government secondary schools. The project currently reaches two schools in Andhra Pradesh. Their site offers interesting activities, lesson plans and chalk board views of lessons on digital storytelling. You can also see what the students participating in this project have created.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Peep into the 'hole-in-the-wall' AfterSchool!
Getting Indian children ready for the digital age has to be a thrust of afterschool programmes. A well known initiative in this direction is the Hole-in-the-Wall.
Hole-in-the-Wall Education Ltd. (HiWEL) is a joint venture between NIIT Ltd. and the International Finance Corporation. The initiative is about more than just setting up computers in playground walls for children to use on their own. It calls the approach - Minimally Invasive Education - meaning that children can learn to get together and use computers (for learning educational content) on their own. HiWEL has set up more than a 100 playground learning stations across the country so far.
PCs and the internet need to be as accessible as the STD/ISD booths all over India's cities, towns and villages. Sure we have internet cafes in urban centres - but these are not easy to set up (a room, 4-8 computers, furniture, UPS, etc.). Also they aren't 'transparent'. Safety of the child is an issue (for example, risk of exposure to adult content).
Hole-in-the-Wall Education Ltd. (HiWEL) is a joint venture between NIIT Ltd. and the International Finance Corporation. The initiative is about more than just setting up computers in playground walls for children to use on their own. It calls the approach - Minimally Invasive Education - meaning that children can learn to get together and use computers (for learning educational content) on their own. HiWEL has set up more than a 100 playground learning stations across the country so far.
PCs and the internet need to be as accessible as the STD/ISD booths all over India's cities, towns and villages. Sure we have internet cafes in urban centres - but these are not easy to set up (a room, 4-8 computers, furniture, UPS, etc.). Also they aren't 'transparent'. Safety of the child is an issue (for example, risk of exposure to adult content).
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Computers Afterschool and Dell
Talking about resources for afterschool, there seem to be some funding support available for programs run in a not-for-profit context serving underprivileged children. This post is about Dell's efforts.
Literacy India (an NGO) and Dell Foundation have just announced the opening of the first Dell Multimedia Computer Center in India (located in Bajgera Village in Gurgaon). The Dell Knowledge Center (with 20 desktops) will offer 13-19 year olds skills like multimedia, 3D imaging, sound and video editing, desktop publishing, etc.
This is not Dell's first foray into supporting computer education. Through its h.u.g. (helping u grow) program, it has supported:
- a Dell Computer Center for the children of the Parikrama Learning Center in Sahakarnagar, Bangalore reaching under-served children.
- a 'Learning into the Future-Preparing Youth for the Digital Age' program to the Hope Foundation in Hyderabad which provides computer education to under-privileged school children and college students.
If you are planning an afterschool computer/technology education program for under-privileged children, you could try tapping IT companies for support.
Literacy India (an NGO) and Dell Foundation have just announced the opening of the first Dell Multimedia Computer Center in India (located in Bajgera Village in Gurgaon). The Dell Knowledge Center (with 20 desktops) will offer 13-19 year olds skills like multimedia, 3D imaging, sound and video editing, desktop publishing, etc.
This is not Dell's first foray into supporting computer education. Through its h.u.g. (helping u grow) program, it has supported:
- a Dell Computer Center for the children of the Parikrama Learning Center in Sahakarnagar, Bangalore reaching under-served children.
- a 'Learning into the Future-Preparing Youth for the Digital Age' program to the Hope Foundation in Hyderabad which provides computer education to under-privileged school children and college students.
If you are planning an afterschool computer/technology education program for under-privileged children, you could try tapping IT companies for support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
