These links describe a very interesting experiment in India regarding bring computing and Internet to kids. Computers are placed in open kiosks, and kids just figure out how to use them with no adult intervention.
Hole in the Wall
Just questions and answers about Hole in the Wall.
So I had to go read this stuff. One of the items that really caught my attention was what the kids learn from these 'hole in the wall computers'.
An estimated 100 children can learn to do most or all of the following tasks in approximately three months, using the "hole-in-wall" arrangement with a single PC:
- All windows operational functions, such as click, drag, open, close, resize, minimize, menus, navigation etc.
- Draw and paint pictures on the computer
- Load and save files
- Play games
- Run educational and other programs
- Play music and video, view photos and pictures
- Browse and surf the Internet, if a connection is available.
- Set up e-mail accounts
- Send and receive e-mail
- Chat on the Internet
- Do simple troubleshooting, for example, if the speakers are not working.
- Download and play streaming media
- Download games
Now I'm worried. Guess I need to start locking my PC up with the kids around. They'll be downloading more stuff than I can keep up with at this rate. GRIN.
1 comment:
It has always been my contention learning to use computers is actually very easy. Therefore the biggest drawback to computer use in school is the huge amount of time they take up! That's time they could use to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, history... in other words, the basics. Without learning those things - using "paint" on microsoft isn't gonna get you too far in life. Although it's a really good gig for teachers... takes up lots of time and is really easy, what more could they ask for!
Teresa
Post a Comment