forwarded without prejudice, fyi. linux-delhi's Linux Access Project, those working with schools and colleges, others who are toying with the freeDuc cd, those trying to understand computer abstractions thru new metaphors, may just find this quite interesting. please reply to the appropriate email ids
---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: Re: aidindia Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:03:12 +0530 From: Sudhanwa Jogalekar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Shankar Thiyagarajan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], Hi, Reply inline... At 10:46 PM 8/18/03, Shankar Thiyagarajan wrote: >Hello Mr.Jogalekar, > >It's so kind of you to contact us. I am right now based in Bombay. I am >working with Wipro Spectramind Services Ltd, a BPO. > >We are in fact trying to introduce computer classes for the kids of >Anchorage, a shelter in colaba for street children. We have abt 3 >computers here, 2 with WIN 95 and one with WIN 98. The Colaba Shelter >caters to the needs of kids from 3 yrs to 14yrs and another branch in >Cuffe Prade has older boys. Most of the kids here are school dropouts but >are keen to learn anything. I along with 2 other AID volunteers kicked off >computer training class yesterday and abt 25 kids from the shelter >attended the training. They showed a lot of interest to learn more Thats a nice start-up. >We started off with an interactive questioning session. The kids were >first asked about what is a computer used for. There were very interesting >answers like drawing, typing, movies, music, one even said Word, >education, games etc.... > >The session then started off with Jatin(an AID Volunteer) introducing the >main parts of the comp - keyboard, CPU, Monitor (which the kids now know >as TV ka Bhai:)) and Mouse. Some of them already knew. Then each part was >explained as to what they do. The CPU was compared to the school bag, >where kids store various book, tiffin box, water bottle etc...and that's >how a CPU works too - storage of data. Then the kids were introduced the >concept of a file and how to save it on the comp. Each of them were made >to type their name on a word file (which was introduced as a paper on the >computer) and they were all thrilled when they typed. Of course there were >incentives provided for answering any question right or for typing the >name right (chocolates). Finally each kid was asked to summarize what they >learned that day. Very interesting answers - the best was for Thats a nice way of introducing computers to the kids. >Just like any class, there were different levels of people - kids who >could grasp it immediately, kids who take time and difficult kids. So we >are planning to split the classes into two sessions - kids who can grasp >it quickly and for kids who take time. We thought this way we can give >more attention to the latter kids. The next class - we plan on introducing >the concept of drawing, switching on/off the comp, saving again and tools >in drawing for kids. I think this approach will be better for the kids as well as the teachers. >So, if you could provide suggestions on how to go about the training? >Suggest/Provide software's for the training etc.it would be appreciated. Well, I am not an expert on training the kids (especially the underprivileged children). We (PLUG) promote free software and I thought the FreeDuc CD will be a right tool for your training needs. It is a CD with lots of features and programs for learning basic skills and sciences and other things like arithmetic, star gazing etc. You can boot the PC from the CD and start off directly from there. You may not require the hard disk also!!! >The main aim is to make the kids use this knowledge and get some job and >be independent. Of course if they further wish to continue formal computer >classes, we are ready to help them I think the Freeduc CD will be a good tool for achieving your objectives. We can provide you such CDs for free. Or else you can get them from Mumbai (or even Delhi)itself. ( I can send you the contact details) I am sending a cc of this message to Niyam Bhushan from Delhi. I think he is the right person for promoting activities like AidIndia and related work and how Free software movement can help you achieve your goal.(Well, I don't know his views on this and he is totally unaware about our communication) >We would really appreciate your input on this. Lets see what best we can do!! With warm regards, -Sudhanwa Jogalekar >With Best of regards > >Shankar Thiyagarajan > > >---------- >"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of >others... he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other >from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build >a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and >resistance." -- Robert F. Kennedy (1925 - 1968) > >---------- > > >From: Sudhanwa Jogalekar > >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Subject: aidindia > >Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:49:23 +0530 > > > >Hi, > > > >I just checked the aidindia website and saw your name on this url. > > > >http://www.aidindia.org/hq/chapters/index.htm > > > >The paragraph above your names mentions about the training > >activities and computers etc. > >I am from Pune and I am part of Pune Linux users group(PLUG) > >(www.plug.org.in). PLUG is a registered not-for-profit voluntary > >organisation for the promotion of free software. > > > >If you are interested, PLUG we can work out something with you for a > >low cost solution for computer education/computer based education. > >If nothing much materialises, we can at least provide Freeduc CDs > >(www.ofset.org)which are a great resource for education. > > > >bye for now > >-Sudhanwa > > > > > > > > > > > >~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ > >Knowledge is proud that it knows so much, Wisdom is humble that it > >knows no more. > >~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ > >ph: 5466954, 9822063831 > >www.sudhanwa.com >
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