Ubuntu Wiki

The Results of this case are all product of the effort in the Technology Ripples Project at Escuela Bella Vista, Maracaibo Venezuela and PO-TE (Tu pote es tu tesoro) geared by http://velugmaracaibo.org.ve VELUG-Maracaibo. It is an initiative to create a way to give children in poor schools and orphanages the opportunity to interact with technology in their learning process. This project is based on a sustainable model that maintains a balance between environmental protection and social equality. The idea is based on donations to get hardware that is considered "out of date" and put it to work again by using software that lets you work with an excellent operability. The software provides a range of applications to enhance skills with the devices of the computer, mathematics, logic activities, tools, office. Ubuntu could very well provide the software platform for this to happen.

Purpose / Problem Statement

The project seeks to provide an opportunity for children and young people with fewer resources to access knowledge through computers. In recent times, providing computers to schools is more and more difficult considering the high cost of procurement of equipment and maintenance. This creates a digital divide for those who unfortunately can not gain knowledge of or with the help of computers. As Humans depend on using computers for daily routine task, Email, banking, government services, et all, the importance of having knowledge about how to use computers is essential. person who does not possess basic computer skills is an incomplete person.

Mission

Provide children and young people with little resources the opportunity to interact with computers through software that allows them to learn skills and tools that are useful in the development, implementation always considering free software tools paramount int he achievement of our goals.

General Purpose

Bridging the gap of technology as a learning method and a tool for development of the child and adolescent channeling donations upgraded computers and giving training to the young minds of tomorrow.

Specific Objectives

• Computer-Oriented donations.
• Reconditioned computers with free educational software.
• Train volunteers to teach children and young people to use the tools.
• Courses-basic educational tools suite, office suite, with skills-input devices of the computer (keyboard, mouse).
• basic programming for children.

Challenges

Technical Challenges

• No Internet, This makes it difficult installing, mantaining a basic Ubuntu install.
• Old Hardware does not always install from standard procedures.
• All hardware donated is different and therefore it is difficult to conjure a simple installing.

Other Logistical Challenges

• Having enough volunteers to cover the work to be done.
• Knowledge on best practices is often needed to save time and to better share a way of doing things.

Achievements

An initial batch of 4 computers were donated to 2 schools in remote areas as a result of this initial effort. "Casa Hogar Nido Alegre" and "Escuela Basica Los Pescadores". Both schools received 2 machines with Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.

• Pictures from when the computers were being set up, http://picasaweb.google.com/voices.in/DonandoPCS#, they had to be redone after the release of Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 LTS.

• Pictures from Intenational Day @ Escuela Bella Vista, the moment where computers where ready to be shipped http://picasaweb.google.com/voices.in/DAInternacional#.

• Pictures from when the computers were taken to the "Casa Hogar Nido Alegre", http://picasaweb.google.com/voices.in/DonandoPCSPCPNPOTE#

• Pictures from when the computers were taken to "Escuela Basica Los Pescadores", http://picasaweb.google.com/voices.in/DonandoPCS2#

The Foster Home - Casa Hogar Nido Alegre:

Casa hogar Nido alegre is a house that offers shelter for kids who have a disfunctional home. They are brought to this "house" to for temporary care while their home is assesed on improving conditions. This kids go to school every day and they are receiving special tutorship. to reinforce the tutorship, computers have been brought in to reinforce their learning.

Install Details:

• OS: Ubuntu 8.04 LTS.
• ISO Details: Mini ISO
• Desktop Environment: XFCE
• Hardware Details:
  • KID B:
    • Processor = Intel Pentium MMX 166 mhz
    • 190 MB ram
    • ATI RAGE 2 Video card 8 mb
    • 7 Gig hard drive
    • 4x cd-rom drive
    • Internal Network Card
  • KID E:
    • Processor = Intel Pentium II 190 mhz
    • 96 MB ram
    • 7 gig hard drive
    • 12x cd-rom drive
    • Internal Network Card

Current Usage

Kids currently use the computer to do homework with the offimatic suite and practice math skills and general computer skills

• Most Used Application: Gcompris, gnome games, kturtle, tuxpaint. tux math, tux type.
• Purpose of the Computers: To reinforce Math skills, develop computer skills (typing, mouse, etc), developing mental habilities.

Potential usage

• Kids could learn basic programming skills.
• Integrate these kids to regular help channels.
• Kids Could learn how computers work.
  • Sessions on troubleshooting hardware for more mature kids.

The Public School - Escuela Basica "Los Pescadores"

This school is a very modest and small. It offers education to about 200 childer form ages 3 to 12. This school does not currenlty offer any computer related classes. The 2 donations made went straight to administrative offices. Where secretaries work filling papers for kids registering in school and for keeping all the data of school antendees.

Install Details:

• OS: Ubuntu 8.04 LTS.
• ISO Details: Mini ISO
• Desktop Environment: XFCE
• Hardware Details:
  • KID F:
    • Processor = Intel Pentium MMX 166 mhz
    • 128 MB ram
    • ATI RAGE 2 Video card 8 mb
    • 9 Gig hard drive
    • 4x cd-rom drive
    • Internal Network Card
  • KID D:
    • Processor = Intel Pentium II 190 mhz
    • 96 MB ram
    • 7 gig hard drive
    • 12x cd-rom drive
    • Internal Network Card

Current Usage

The School administrators currently use the computers for regular office work.

• Most Used Application: Abiword, Gnumeric, Orange Calendar. web browser.
• Purpose of the Computers: office work.

Potential usage

If extended to kids:

• Kids could learn basic programming skills.
• Integrate these kids to regular help channels.
• Kids Could learn how computers work.
  • Sessions on troubleshooting hardware for more mature kids.

• Track school activities with SchoolTool?

This project was initially started as a Initiative from [http://www.ebv.org.ve Escuela Bella Vista] and with tecnical support from VELUG-MARACAIBO http://www.velugmaracaibo and since then it has been continued by http://www.ebv.org.ve Escuela Bella Vista and EfrainValles on behalf of VenezuelaTeam.

CategoryNGO