Report For Computer Centers

Computer literacy has become as important as functional literacy for today’s youth and children. The digital divide between rural and urban areas keeps widening as urban students from middle and upper class families have access to the latest technologies in their homes. On the other hand, students in rural areas are denied the opportunity to learn even the basics of computers. While computer education courses and centers have proliferated, they are unaffordable for most poor students. A typical centre charges more than Rs.500 a month for a basic introductory-level course. Most people in rural areas are unable to afford this fee and the only the really affluent can avail of these courses. Moreover, because even these centers are located only in towns and district headquarters, this option is closed for many girl children as their parents do not allow them to go too far. So computer education should not only be affordable, but also proximal.

Affordable Rural Computer Centers

AID-India aims to bridge the digital divide by setting up rural computer education centers across Tamilnadu. Our vision is to provide low-cost affordable computer education to all children and youth in every village we work in.

Currently, AID India has 11 Computer Centers in the following blocks of Tamilnadu.

Of the above, 6 centers operate as exclusive computer centers, while in 5 centers, computer classes are conducted in multipurpose learning centers, where children of all ages (but primarily middle school and above) come regularly.

Each centre is equipped with 4-5 computers and 1 trained faculty. In most centers, 2 students share a computer.

Larsen & Toubro donated 10 computers last year. These computers have been used as follows.

2 PCs - Koovathur Block (Pavunchoor computer centre)
3 PCs - Kaveripakkam Block (Banavaram computer centre)
5 PCs - Vembakkam Block (Mamandoor, Vembakkam & Brammadesam centers)

Polaris donated 10 computers last year. All 10 computers were distributed to 2 computer centers in Koovathur Block.

Details of Courses in Computer Centers

2 types of courses are conducted in the computer centers:

1. 4 - month Certificate in Office Automation (COA)
2. 1 - month computer crash course

The syllabus covered under each type of course is as below.

1. 4 - month Certificate in Office Automation (COA)

The following topics are covered in detail in the 3-month course.

• Basics of Computers
• Windows Operating System
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS PowerPoint
• Internet and E-mail
• Educational software like Wikipedia

At the end of 3 months, the students are given a test 7hich consists of some theory and a lot of practical applicationn Based on the test results, the certificate is given. Students who don’t pass the exam are given more training.

2. 1 - month crash course

This course offers an introduction to the following topics but doesn’t go into them in detail.

• Introduction to Computers
• Working with Windows
• MS Paint
• Typing Tutor
• MS Word
• Games – word games, math games, GK, puzzles, etc.
• MS Excel
• Educational software like Wikipedia
• MS Power point
• Introduction to Internet and E-Mail

This course suits students who opt for computer classes in summer and cannot come regularly for a 4-month period. For this course also, certificate is given.