WCE Content Project
Tying technology to the educational needs of youth in developing countries is more than providing computers. One of the most important issues is the availability of an Internet connection which can be sporadic and slow. To better meet the needs of teachers and youth - even without a robust connection - WCE has developed the Content Project.
Managed out of our Chicago Chapter, the Content Project is designed to constantly grow our offering of content and software that can be preloaded. Our basic software offerings is available in one of 4 languages. Partners can also pre-select educational content, with much of the content available in French and Spanish versions.
Delivering preloaded educational materials on WCE computers opens many doors for students and teachers in developing countries. Having content readily available without the need for an Internet connection allows teachers to engage students in “offline’ learning that goes beyond helping to build computer skills -- essential to being marketable in the 21st century. This content allows students to do everything from looking up information, to exploring the desktop planetarium, to playing educational games that builds skills and makes learning fun and engaging. For teachers, having preloaded educational content is an inexpensive way to enhance their curriculum and learning plans – for pre-school through higher education - that are new, engaging and give students additional self-directed opportunities to learn.
WCE volunteers in Chicago took the first step with the Chapter’s December 2010 shipment of 220 computers to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. These computers contained “version 1” of the new WCE content package. For the past couple of years, WCE has been loading Ubuntu, a Linux operating system which comes with Edubuntu, a software package containing 34 educational tools for youth from preschool to 12th grade. Also included are links to content that WCE installed on the hard drives of each computer. This content includes cultural and social issues content from the BlueMail Learning Center and Reciclemos ewaste content that WCE helped develop. Also included are links to 16 external websites. Our “version 2” content package includes public health, computer skills, agriculture, teacher resources and environmental content. This content will be installed via a CD ROM as part of our April eCorps visit to the Dominican Republic. All of these resources can be used by students when they cannot make a connection to the internet because of cost or connectivity issues. Both versions will be installed in computers going to Spanish speaking countries. Similar work is being done on content in English and French.
Find out more about our eCorps trip to the Dominican Republic.
WCE is actively seeking royalty-free content to include in our Content Project as well as volunteers to help us expand this project. Volunteers should have strong research skills, a background in education, or a familiarity with public health, computer tutorials, agriculture, teaching and environmental resources. Since all content is indexed in three languages we are looking for volunteers who are able to translate English web indexes into Spanish and French. If you’re interested in being part of the Content Project -- contact Jack ODonnell at jodonnell@worldcomputerexchange.org
