Opportunity Access Newsletter June 1, 2006
April 2006 marked our 6-year anniversary of Opportunity Access Inc.
Collect used computers and install them into public schools - Sounds Simple
Update on our High School Computer Education Program
April 2006 marked our 6-year anniversary of Opportunity Access Inc. Opportunity Access was established in April 2000, and the Costa Rica project initiated work in Costa Rica in August of that same year. We started with six computers serving 150 students weekly and now have over 400 computers working in the region serving 7,500 students weekly. While this growth is a significant accomplishment, what we are most optimistic about is the potential to sustain this growth and expand our impact. With over 2,000 Adult certificates awarded in our formal training courses, our network of trained community members can use these computers to improve their communities.
We have been able to implement our vision, draw up a plan, and meet objectives. According to our model, which is designed to empower communities to improve themselves through technology training, we have established a strong foundation built on providing computer training to establish a network of trained individuals. These participants include, teachers, children, parents, teens, healthcare workers, and community leaders both present and future. These are the people who will improve their schools, their health clinic, and their futures. And this is why we are optimistic about the potential to sustain this growth and expand our impact.
To build on this foundation, we will continue to train throughout the region and plan to offer an even higher level of training. This next level of training includes professional certificates from Microsoft (MSCA) and Cisco (CCNA). We plan to train community members on Internet connectivity and maintenance for their schools. Presently, out of 300 public schools in the region only one (our Cahuita training facility) has access to the Internet. The infrastructure and technology is available and affordable for most school locations but the knowledge on installation, maintenance and Internet use in the schools needs further development.
There is extensive potential regarding using technology training to enhance public school education. With a good plan, a few key partners, and local participation we can make a big difference toward improving the low levels of educational achievement for this region (15% of adults graduate high school; source Kroger 2001). In the public school computer labs we installed this year we plan to employ additional community members as technicians to maintain the labs, and eventually connect them to the Internet. With sufficient support, we can improve public education and also help the local economy by providing quality teaching and technician jobs.
Why is computer training so important for community development? According
to the world economic forum “Bridging the digital divide is an
objective with shared benefits for all. While the mere presence of
information and communication technology (ICT) will not guarantee
economic and social development, it is widely held that ICTs are tools
that can enable a better quality of life. The ways in which ICT is
developed, structured and used will influence how countries can reach
their national capabilities and leapfrog some of the traditional
barriers to development. That being said, the Global Digital Divide remains a persistent problem in developing countries. A recent study prepared by the AOL Time Warner Foundation found that Industrialized countries, with only 15% of the world’s population, are home to 88% of all internet users and that Finland alone has more internet users than the whole of Latin America.
Internally, Costa Rica has a large discrepancy in the share of income and consumption with the top 20% of the population having 51% of the share and the poorest 20% having only 4.4% of the share (UN 2002 HDI Report-Inequality of income and consumption). While Costa Rica is perceived as an equitable country, this ratio between the richest 20% and the poorest 20% (11.5 to 1) is significantly higher than both China (5.7 to 1) and India (8.0 to 1), which are much poorer countries (UN 2002 HDI Report-Inequality of income and consumption). This demonstrates that a severe division exists within Costa Rica specifically between the central valley’s majority population (capitol region) and the rural low-income minority communities of the Limon Province.
We are aggressively working to counter this division, specifically where public education is concerned and have some great goals set to achieve our mission for the remainder of the year. With existing donations of computers we already have installed 43 computer labs into public schools. Our goals for the remainder of this year include:
Our progress would not have been possible without the financial and in-kind donations of our many partners and supporters. On behalf of all those we serve, we thank you for making our vision a reality!
Charles Moore Executive Director and Founder Opportunity Access Inc.
Collect used computers and install them into public schools - Sounds Simple
We waited over two years to tackle the task of shipping a container of used PC’s to Costa Rica. While this seems logical and straightforward, it is a complex project and if not well organized it will not be successful. We have analyzed the expenses of the program to see if it is feasible from a cost per PC perspective and we set minimum requirements as to what adds value. We have also done extensive computer training in the region to establish a base of knowledgeable computer technicians and computer users.
This year we had our second successful computer donation drive and now work with over 400 computers. Computer labs are installed in 43 public schools (soon to be 50) and our regional training facility has 35 networked computers. The Cahuita Computer Center, with the help of community computer technicians, apprentices and volunteers configure, install and maintain these computers.
While acquiring donated computers is the focal point of the project, the majority of the work is in preparing the region to use computers. In three years of preparation for this project, OA has been working on the following tasks:
We plan for each and every computer to be used to its fullest potential. Computers do not improve a community, however people working together in a community can make a huge difference. There are many things needed to confront the global digital divide1 in Costa Rica and other developing countries. Our focus is on technology education to empower communities. Establishing computer labs is one of three core programs of the Costa Rica project and it complements our other programs, which help to prepare the future generations for the local and global economy.
Our seventh shipment of computers is scheduled for June 2006. Our “wish list” for in-kind donations follows. Pease keep in mind that all equipment should be in good working condition and meet specifications as listed. 250 computers- 500Mhz or better PC’s complete systems. 20 laptops 300Mhz or better. Spare parts (hard drives, memory, power supplies etc.) Electrical wiring and networking equipment Air conditioners. UPS’s/surge protectors. For a complete list of what we still need, including drop off points see http://www.oa.icomm.ca/English/Donations.htm#3. The list will be updated regularly. Please email ctmoore16@yahoo.com with a description of your donation so we can update our list. Remember, a small effort on your part and some hard work from the community and students equates to a big difference in our mission to empower communities. This project will reach 50 public schools and communities. Each year an additional 2500 children will now have computer classes to open up their future opportunities and enhance their education. Making a Difference - Student TestimonyIt has been almost six years since Opportunity Access Inc. (OA) opened the Cahuita Computer Center (CCC) and began computer and technology training in the Limon Province of Costa Rica. A lot has changed in the region since then and especially in Cahuita. The remainder of this article will come from Ivon Aymerich Matute, a primary school special education teacher at the Cahuita elementary school, a CCC student and a Cahuita community member. We asked Ivon what changes she has noticed as a result of the CCC in regards to the following (Translated to English):
Teacher training Already in the year 2006 CCC has organized technology and computer training for over 200 public school teachers serving the Limon province. This teacher training is extremely important as it empowers teachers to improve education in their public schools. This training is a break through for this region as trained teachers provide the network that will sustain the improvements in public school education. Community of CahuitaThe community of Cahuita recognizes the importance of computer and technology training and that is why in February of 2000 they wrote a letter requesting assistance with computer training. It is especially important to community members who have businesses to know how to use the Internet and computer applications. Community members now have the opportunity to learn computer skills needed for employment. The Primary SchoolThe Cahuita elementary school has improved its capability to educate children. All 13 of the teachers as well as the School Director have taken computer courses at the Cahuita Computer Center. The Cahuita School has six computers along with a digital microscope and digital web camera that are used in the classroom to develop investigation and research skills. The projects the students work on are designed to engage students to solve problems and document solutions. The addition of a computer program will increase the children’s ability to continue education and improve their futures. The High SchoolThe high school has a computer education program second to none in Costa Rica. All students have email accounts and the ability to use the Internet for research papers and homework assignments. All students can use applications such as Word, FrontPage and Excel. This gives them an advantage if upon graduation they choose to enter the university or seek employment. Personal developmentAs a student of the Cahuita Computer Center, I could not be more pleased with my personal development in regard to computer skills. Before attending the training, I wanted to purchase a computer but did not know how to use one. I now use the computer to improve my job as a special education teacher in the public school district. There is a lot of information on the Internet to assist special education teachers with their programs and each week I search for new ideas. I write letters and send emails requesting assistance for the handicapped children of this district. I also use email and the Internet for my business, which is managing a small hotel. I have designed a web page for my business and now use email to accept reservations. Computers skills are especially important to me because I have two teenage children that I can now help with school projects requiring computer usage. Special educationI feel that computer education can and will be a great tool to teach handicapped children in this school district. The computer offers the ability to gain skills that the physically handicapped can use to become self sufficient and independent. It represents an opportunity for them to excel in many ways. I have seen incredible results working with students who have attention deficits. I was amazed that my students with short attention spans could focus for an hour on computer-based education. Thank you for the program. Ivon Aymerich Matute Special education teacher Cahuita Update on our High School Computer Education ProgramOne of our programs is to provide computer and technology classes for High School students. The scope of the program is to design and implement a computer curriculum for “Telesecundaria” high schools that previously had no access to computer classes. We have a six-year plan that refines our curriculum each year and incorporates improvements for implementation in the following year. The program serves three “Telesecundaria” high schools in the region and the ultimate goal is to present the completed, refined and tested curriculum for national employment. In a collaborative effort with the public school system, OA provides state-of-the-art computer and technology education with the following five learning objectives:
Our school age programs are designed to teach the above objectives by utilizing student interests such as the latest in music, Internet, graphic design, international chat and more. Although participation is not mandatory, over 95% of the high school students choose to attend our computer classes. Our students get there early and stay late. Our secondary school program is designed for rural communities and regions without access to a traditional secondary school. There are currently over 60 such schools in Costa Rica called "telesecundaria's". The telesecundaria program was originally developed for rural communities in Mexico and is now deployed in Costa Rica as well as other Latin American countries. These newly established schools are located in communities with extremely low secondary achievement levels primarily due to the fact that no high schools were previously accessible. Telesecundaria’s currently offer no computer or technology programs; have limited staff and often no school building, in which case classes are held at a community center, church or any other available facility. Our program provides these students an opportunity to improve themselves through education. We are in our fourth year of a six-year program to develop a model, which can be replicated in all the telesecundarias in Costa Rica and possible beyond. This year we started teaching computer classes at our third high school location. According to our plan we collect data from each location after each lesson in order to incorporate improvements to our curriculum for next years lessons. Last year, we started an exchange email program with two High Schools in the US. We met these high schools through world-links and established our own Internet group through yahoo groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CR2USA and email is received at CR2USA@yahoogroups.com This allows us to send group emails, share photos, chat (Both text and voice) including voice over IP, and post messages. The exchange program is designed to be interesting for students and to serve three educational functions. First, the exchange provides the students a chance to interact with peers located in a different country. They can ask questions and get answers to better understand each other. Second the students get a chance to use interactive multimedia computer applications. This introduction helps them to learn key concepts in international information exchange, which is an important skill in today’s local and global economy. And third, it gives the students a chance to practice the use of a foreign language skill. We hope this peer interaction creates a greater interest in the language studies and therefore improves comprehension levels. In our first year, we only scratched the surface of what we can do with the exchange program. We hope to add some more interesting games in which the students can participate while exchanging information. We use online games such as dominoes and pool where students can play with people around the world and engage in casual text conversation. This interaction broadens the student’s perspective of the international community. We trace the Internet packets and explain how two people in far away countries can connect through the use of an Internet game server. We are anxiously awaiting the availability of a high-speed Internet access line to enhance the value of our online educational programs. We will do our best to keep readers posted on new developments on our high school program. Internet nightSince the Cahuita Computer Center opened in 2000, each Tuesday night has been Internet night at the Cahuita Computer Center. From 5 until 9 p.m. we provide almost free (20 cents an hour) Internet access to community members. We assist participants with research on homework projects, opening email accounts, and exploring interests on the Internet. Each month, 100's of participants sign in to access the Internet. New participants enter Internet night at the Cahuita Computer Center and experience the Internet for the first time. Below are a few examples of what participants have worked on in just the last month. Allen and Esteban both opened up new email accounts. They were excited to hear from friends from Canada who recently were on vacation in Cahuita. They were able to receive the emails with photos of themselves their friends had sent them. With some assistance, they could translate the messages to Spanish and respond to the emails. We want to show these participants how to use a digital camera and send pictures of themselves back to their friends in Canada. Anthony has a cell phone, which has a feature to send email. He does not fully understand the concept of what email is and came to Internet night to open an email account. He was able to open an account and receive an email message from his cell phone. In the future, Anthony would like to advertise local real estate on the Internet. If he is serious about his goal to sell real estate over the Internet, we offer a series of courses over an eight month period that concludes with posting a website. Anthony, a basketball fan, also looked at the latest sports results of the NBA playoffs. Fernando was born and raise in Cahuita, Costa Rica and he is an entrepreneur and tour guide. He has been working on a web page to help promote his small tour business. Ivon, a Cahuita computer center graduate, has built a web page for her rental cabin business. She searched the Internet to find her website and to investigate what potential customers will see. She was disappointed when her site did not appear in the search results. We directed Ivon to the information on how to submit her website to search engines which she was able to do herself. Ivon also uses the Internet to research pedagogical methods to assist with her profession of teaching children with disabilities at the public schools. Maria, a high school teacher in Bribri, made her first visit to the Cahuita Computer Center. Elsie one of her high student helped her with a University homework assignment. The assignment had to be researched on the Internet, typed and emailed to the professor. Elsie has taken a series of computer courses at our center and was able to help Maria research information for her University assignment and compose a paper. Maria had an email account at one time but it was now inactive and closed. She was able to open a new email account and send her University assignment to her professor. Maria was impressed by Elsie’s knowledge of computers and the Internet and she plans to enroll in computer courses for herself. Kimberly has an email account and wanted to send baby photos to her friend and family in Brazil. We helped her Scan the photos and save them onto a diskette. She was very happy to be able to send baby pictures to her family in Brazil. The following week she was excited to see that her family could view the photos. Pablo played billiards on-line with Rosa from Puerto Rica. They were also able to have a text discussion while they played. They both agreed to meet online again the following week. Yalmy did her High School homework assignment using the Internet to research information on the species and families of trees in Costa Rica. Einer listen to reggae music from other countries and Luis listened to his favorite band “Linkin Park” Marcos, and Anthony looked for sports gear at Nike.com and world futbol (soccer) results. Nestor, originally from Columbia, read the newspaper from his home country. Tito, David and Eder all checked their email and later browsed photos of sneaker, surfboards and cars. Several other participants opened up new email accounts in the last month. Those who already have email accounts checked their messages and sent emails to family and friends around the world. Our two weekly programs (Internet night and games night) are designed to provide easy access to computers for community members. These programs provide informal training and help to develop a positive perspective on computer use. Many of our participants have a good experience at these informal training sessions and develop confidence in their computer use. Often the participants decide to enroll in our certificate courses to further develop their skills. |