At a first of imparting computer & keyboard training, we had started keyboard training to these kids about 7 months back. Every weekend all these children are getting keyboarding, fingering, speed training in computer keyboard. As we rightly aimed, these children have learned proper keyboarding, typing methods and certain amount of speed even before they sit in front of the computer.
At a second step, Through the Support of the 3 Computers which are donated by TCS, we have started the Computer Training to these children. We have started this training 3 months back for the children who are adopted by evening school.
In the first month most of the children were taught with switching on and switching off the computers and basic operating methods.
As all these children were taught keyboard operations they become familiars in operating keyboard. But as they were new to mouse operation. So to make them familiar & accurate in mouse movement and operation, from second month onwards these children were taught with drawing in Micro-soft Paint. This is not only helped the children in mouse operations but also it explored their creativity by painting whatever they wise. We could see the un-imaginary creative ideas of some children while they practice Ms-Paint.
At present about 80% percentage of the children who are targeted to basic computer training have reached WordPad. Rest of them are in painting stage. Keeping the children's learning level in mind we are going little slow especially with some children who are in need of more attention.
After seeing the creativity of the children in painting, we are planning to use the paintings in someway which are stored in the computer. Few children are so smart and fast learners in computer including Madasamy who lost his parents.
All the other activities are carried out as usual.
They also showed their support by actively participating in the parents' meetings. In addition, visits to people's houses showed that they were happy with what we are doing. As I updated you one month ago, two out of three people have confirmed that their children are doing well and achieving 1st or 2nd rank in their school. Community involvement is critical to the success of our project. We are now starting to see this involvement increase and the positive impact it has on the project. We are happy to report that the children love the activity-based training, games and life skills we offer at the school. We are trying to further develop our curriculum to expand on the possibilities available with this type of education.
We can also measure our success by the new-found confidence and hope we see in the children's faces. The children understand the importance of education and can see its lasting and positive impact through role play and other experiential learning activities we offer. Apart from these immediate outcomes, we expect there to be many indirect outcomes. We will be able to measure these results on a more long-term scale, say in one or two years. We also continue to research on how we can further develop more activity-based teaching techniques and programs. Thank you for your continued support!
The primary motto of HELP evening Schools is to mainstream the 42 children by providing them employment oriented skills to make them stand on their own. In doing that, the first step is to provide them with basic education upto 10th or 12th standard. The 42 children of the Evening school are being provided basic education successfully and they all attending their schooling as usual.
My husband Balaji and I made a short trip to the school during April 2008. Our overall impression is that the school is successfully delivering its objective of providing basic education to 42 children.
We were also struck by the amount of effort and the genuine devotion of the Managing Trustee Mr. Jegan. Within limited resources, he has been able to sustain the Evening School effort through hard work and dedication. The children are clearly very fond of him and he is an excellent role model as well as a source of inspiration for them. He has worked successfully towards gaining the confidence of the parents. Along with Mr. Ganapathirajan, he has set the school on a good track. Going forward, we would like to create opportunities for the older children to develop technical /vocational skills, so that they maybe employable in the local area. Mr. Jegan has begun the process of investigating what can be done, and how to approach this important next phase in the role of the school.
