Experiments with Computer literacy programs in rural communities - Understanding Social Motivators
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I presented this at the Technology for Education (T4E) Conference in Dec. 2013. Summary: A successful computer literacy program designed for rural communities would need to work in a diverse set of conditions such as the lack of electricity, diverse student educational backgrounds, motivation levels, different levels of community engagement, community politics, and beliefs. This presentation shares our experience with running computer literacy training camps in rural Andhra Pradesh, India, and how changing elements of the program can change the outcome of a program.
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Experiments with Computer literacy programs in rural communities - Understanding Social Motivators
- 1. Computer Literacy Programs in Rural Communities Understanding Social Motivators Prasad Kantamneni & Ramanjaneyaraju Chintalapati
- 2. Technology Incubation Program @ Visakhapatnam How can we use Information Technology to scale rural development?
- 3. Technology Incubation Program @ Visakhapatnam • The litmus test ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Does the community need what you are giving? Does the program build necessary skills? Is the program financially sustainable? Can the program scale up? • Focus is on executing the program ▫ Rapid iterations
- 4. Computer Literacy: 650+ students, 17 Training Camps, 8 villages, 2 courses Ms Office DTP Self funded Ni-Msme Self funded Ni-Msme Dimili 2 0 0 1 Haripuram 1 4 0 4 Gokivada 1 0 0 0 Moolajampa 1 0 0 0 PK Palli 1 0 0 0 Munchingput (Tribal) 0 1 0 1 Somalingapalem 0 0 0 0 Kothapalem 0 0 0 0 Total 6 5 0 6
- 5. Insights from the Villages • Agriculture is the primary revenue source • Politics is polarizing • Alcoholism is rampant • Un/underemployment is chronic and usually by choice amongst youth. • Infrastructure support is poor
- 6. What would happen in… 1. Resource limited Vs. Resource rich trainings 2. Village Vs. Center based trainings 3. Instructor Led Vs. Instructor Mediated trainings 4. Mouse based Vs. Keyboard Based trainings 5. Managing Politics
- 7. What does success look like? • Students not intimidated by computers • Student interest and engagement in the program • Manageable costs and most importantly • Students who can get the job done
- 8. Measuring success • Attendance • 200 marks open book practical exam given 7 days before exam. ▫ 100 marks taught ▫ 100 marks not taught • Demonstrated community participation ▫ Food, infrastructure, support…. • Post-training interviews
- 9. Experiment 1: How do resources affect outcome? Resource limited Vs. Resource rich
- 10. The differences • 9 rich Vs. 8 limited camps 40 min. Computer time + 5 h. open lab Vs. 40 min. computer time 100% electricity availability Vs. 6 h. electricity.
- 11. Do more Resources equate to better learning? • No! • Resource rich classes ▫ 40% less marks ▫ More disciplinary issues • Resource limited classes ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 20% better attendance Students self organize into study groups Community pitches in with food, accommodations, etc. Students come before time to optimize. “When you don’t have money you have each other”
- 12. Experiment 2: Village or Center based
- 13. Village or Center based? • Depends… • Center Based ▫ 36% female ▫ Average Age: 20 ▫ Disciplinary issues • Village Based ▫ 52% female students ▫ Average Age: 14.5 ▫ Significant parent Involvement
- 14. Experiment 3: Instructor Led Vs. Instructor mediated
- 15. The differences • 4 instructor led Vs. 13 Instructor Mediated Instructor is the center of the teaching experience Vs. Students learn for 40 min, and teach for 40 min.
- 16. Instructor Led or Mediated • Mediated • Instructor Mediated ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 50% more marks Immediate escalation Students learn from others mistakes Increased student preparation times Increased confidence and verbalization amongst younger students.
- 17. Experiment 4: Keyboard or Mouse based
- 18. The differences • 13 Keyboard based Vs. 4 Mouse based Use only Keyboard shortcuts Vs. Use the Mouse
- 19. Keyboard or Mouse • Keyboard • Keyboard Based ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ~50% more attendance Point of pride… Viral Communication Language and version Independent Marks lost – unable to compare marks .
- 21. Managing Politics • 10 village camps planned. ▫ 2 terminated prematurely because of politics. • Wrong Way: ▫ Approached sarpanch(Village Head) in a polarized village: political football! ▫ Worked with an individual: Rumors, backroom deals, escalating costs. • Right Way: ▫ Approach respected groups: community support. ▫ Transparency and honesty: long term support (Villages talk to each other)
- 22. Final Thoughts • Center based programs focus on the individual. While Village based involve the whole village. • Risk having Village development metrics become short term and not match stated goals. • How much resources are enough before students start losing interest? We hypothesize that the answer would look like a bell curve. Where too little or too much resources would lead to sub-optimal results.
- 23. Questions? Title: Computer Literacy Programs in Rural Communities Understanding Social Motivators kprasad@roonet.org