Projects: Information and Communication Technology Education
Project Goals:
The purpose of the Education ICT project is to improve the availability and quality of education in rural and marginal urban schools through training teachers, students and other community members in how to use information and Communication technology to teach and learn more effectively, as well as eventually generate greater income for themselves. The goals of the Education ICT project are to help:- Improve the education of computers and technology
- Youth use technology to improve their work and employment
- Improve the sustainability of the community education labs
Project Activities:
- Help computer professors teaching in a more interactive and effective manner
- Improving the technical proficiency of computer professionals
- Integrate technology in Youth group activities
- Help individual youth engage with technology
- Train community committees to take responsibility of their local computer lab, and make it a self-sustainable endeavore.
Individual Project Descriptions
- Betsy Bruner - El Seibo
- As the ICT volunteer in the small municipality of about 5,000 in the
eastern province of El Seibo, I am assigned to the computer center set up by
the First Lady through one of her many community service programs. The center
was built just over a year ago and my "project" is to help foster self-sustainability,
community support and to work with the development of the CTC (Community Technology
Committee) in general.
What does that mean? So far, it's helping to develop and implement a curriculum for the preschool that we started in June. It's also providing advanced and continuing training for the computer teachers and encargados ( computer lab caretakers), by means of workshops, manuals, scholarships to courses, or even just activity ideas to use in the classroom.
This center also includes an adult literacy program and a beautiful library complete with shelves of real books (rare in this material-poor educational system). This means we are working for literacy, a strong interest for me, on all fronts-with the niños (children) in the Ludoteca (homework room), the adults in the evenings, the school kids that flock to the library in the afternoons to complete homework assignments, and the computer classes that we offer throughout the day.
We have a myriad of other angles as well, with a big one being capacitating the youth so they are equipped for furthering education (either in the university or in technical fields) and for finding better jobs. Classes, youth groups, homework groups, access to information and resources, and especially emphasis on the importance of education and taking the initiative for one's decisions all teaming together to give at least a few high school students the chance to succeed. And hopefully, one day invest back into the community, the region, the country and the world some of the values that they picked up along the way. - John Mitchell - Duarte
- Aided by various grants of national governments, the World Bank, and
private companies, the Dominican Secretary of Education is working to create
a technically savvy population that can use technology to improve their
education, communication, and work opportunities. As a part of this initiative,
I work in conjunction with the Secretary of Education, local Community
Technology Center, and various elementary and secondary schools. My work
focuses on expanding the knowledge and use of technology in local education,
work, and community life.
During this, my first year of service, our local Community Technology Committee and I have established a variety of goals and projects. We are training dozens of local elementary and secondary school teachers to use computers, the internet and digital projectors to improve their teaching. Due to the utter lack of books available to local residents, these trainings allow teachers to use digital encyclopedias, books, plays, and educational software in their classrooms. Moving beyond traditional "chalk and blackboard" techniques, the teachers are also learning to incorporate videos, music, presentations, and pictures into everything from history to biology lessons.
We also offer community computer classes that allow local residents to improve their technological skills. This summer, we hosted the community's first Youth Summer Camp focusing on reading, writing, environmental protection, safe sexual practices, and abstinence from drugs. Working with a team of some twenty community members, we are creating the city's first newspaper and also the high school's first yearbook with the assistance of the school's first Youth Technology Club. These initiatives are a fabulous way to improve local education, technical training, and provide a culture of reading and writing.
Beyond my primary project, I assist with a women's economic development course through the local chapter of the Federation of Women. Moreover, I am working with the local Lyon's Club in an environmental initiative that aims to improve local sanitation, water quality, and access to latrines. I also teach a weekly English course for adults and have given a variety of workshops from global warming to forming healthy relationships to youth at the local Catholic Church. - Janet Espinosa - Espaillat
- Although the three Peace Corps goals of
- assisting a community and country per their specific needs
- representing Americans as people of service
- educating Americans about life in a developing country
Although the three Information and Communication Technology objectives of- training teachers and project partners
- enhancing the abilities of youth
- developing a community committee to facilitate access to technology
It has been interesting reflecting periodically on the development of our project in my site: after three months of a community diagnostic and a roller-coaster ride of situations where we now have a currently operating computer lab that is still awaiting the internet. A definite strength of our project has been my project partner who has technical skills that I lack. Our progress to date has been established on our ability to function as a team with a true commitment to our project and community. So just what are we doing and why am I spending 60 hours per week in the lab?
Although we are still awaiting the promised newer computers, we have reinstalled the operating systems and programs on the existing computers. We have also improved various components, repaired the air conditioning, and replaced faulty equipment. Our school has three shifts or "tandas". The lab operates daily: in the morning and afternoon for students from preschool through eighth grades. Beginning next month, in the evening high school students will be using the lab for classes. Also, we have integrated all of the teachers into the computer lab. I, the volunteer, team with my project partner who manages the lab in the morning. In the afternoon, I am in the lab teaching classes in basic computer skills to kids (ages 8-12) and in English with computers to youth. All students in grades preschool through fourth have achieved success in basic mouse skills and beg for their next opportunity to go to the lab. In the evenings, I have worked with one social studies teacher on using Power point presentations for fourth year high school students and DVD supplements to classroom instruction for students at all levels.
The computer lab is also used for open hours by a variety of students and a few community members, but we expect this use to increase as soon as we acquire internet service. Currently, students come looking for information in order to complete assignments and to play games of which we have very few. A particular success of my time with students has been to get them to use Encarta for educational games which they now enjoy immensely. In addition some individuals arrive just to do the English exercises on Rosetta Stone or to learn to type using Typing Master. We offer open hours every day of the week except Sunday when we offer teacher training. The lab is in constant use. Teachers in our rural community often teach two shifts per day frequently in different schools and some take education classes on Saturdays, so finding time for computer training is not easy for them; therefore, Sundays is their only option.
My project partner is skilled in teaching as well as technology, so he has been given the opportunity to teach two courses for teachers in our computer lab for the Secretary of Education. Since October we have been training teachers in basic skills and in projects applicable to classroom instruction with the result of increased enthusiasm and participation. This directly meets our first ICT objective with my project partner serving as the teacher and me, the volunteer, assisting with all lessons. We are now training teachers from schools in neighboring communities. Everyone is learning.
Saturdays are used for both open hours and for instruction in computer skills and in English. Once a month the newly formed CTC meets to consider issues related to the lab and to plan for future activities and responsibilities. When requested, exams and other materials are prepared for teachers, official communications are typed for the director, and letters are written for community members for the cost of printer ink and paper. With donations from the United States and with the expectation of raising money for computer repair, we have formed a small store of school supplies.
It is with pleasure that I serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Espaillat, with the following components taking many hours weekly:- Training of teachers
- Inclusion of all students in lab activities during the regular school day
- Computer classes for students, youth, and community members
- Open hours for individual computer use
- Learning about new educational programs
- Administration of laboratory and assistance to committee
- Preparation of cookies, breads and cakes for all meetings and training
- Weekly e-mail descriptions to USA of work, people and life in the Dominican Republic
I am glad I had the chance to work and learn so much from the kids that I work with.Adali ValdezFormer volunteer in the Dominican Republic 2005-2007.