One Sunday morning, while reading through what made news during the week in one of my numerous professional forums, I fell on pictures of a private primary school holiday classes advert. What drew my attention was the young learners on their computers. In my country, this is very unusual in a school during holidays. Holiday classes are quite common but it is usually a continuation of school subject recitations (History, Maths, English...).This was the first time emphasis was laid exclusively on technology skills;So I decided to know more about that.
I visited the author of the post inbox for more clarifications.
What I learned was so sweet to hear.
This private bilingual nursery and primary school, organized computer holiday classes* for young learners whose parents were interested in helping their children learn more about technology.Classes hold three hours per school day and thrice per week.
The module vary from learning parts of a computer to typing a text using Word and creating post cards with Publisher.The main objectives of this one month initiation is to:
-Identify parts of a computer,
- Being able to type and arrange a text using word,
-Creating a card with Publisher(basics),
-Watching movies and playing games with a computer.
I had not heard enough so I visited the school.To see for myself how classes were going on.
I noticed the students had just three machines owned by the school but received help from a group of 4 educator-engineers whose group known as FEMA ,helps schools in need have access to computers and tech skills for their learners.They helped the school with five other machines to support the initiative.This brought the number of computers to eight.At the end of the holiday classes they will collect their machines, take them to another school with the same objectives.
Young ones in a holiday computer class at "Enfant Noir" Primary School
Mrs.Meyong , the school proprietor who initiated such a brilliant idea.
During school due to the fact that the school has only three machines for a student population of about 50 each class can only access the computer once every two weeks and students take turns.Yes this is a reality in some private school in my community.Students don't have access to computers.
When I asked the group of four young stakeholders what motivated them to engage in such an initiative, their response was as good to hear as their work.
FEMA Group (Initials of their names)
Ferdinand
Elvis
Mama
Atabe
" ICT resources not only provide the tools for promoting and developing early skills but also encourages pupils to engage confidently in imaginative learning and make teaching and learning more effective and fun for both the pupils & their teachers.This is demanding, but our eyes are focused more on the objectives..."(FEMA 2022)
I have offered to work with the teachers of the school on ameliorating their digital skills and transmission methods so that they can not only help their students with the limited resources they have, but equally help the community of teachers in the school.
Which tech-oriented initiative are you encouraging in your community?
Change should be a personal challenge.
If you wish to offer a computer to this school please contact ELTTechHouse through our email (lahidechou@gmail.com)
*Classes held during holidays