Title :
A successful entrepreneurship formula for solving computer illiteracy
Author :
Silvestre, Manuel ; Munoz, Susana ; Rubio, Miguel Angel
Author_Institution :
TEDECO group, Tech. Univ. of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Abstract :
We have created and already experienced with a high degree of success a training system specially designed to tackle the problems of computer illiteracy derived from the lack of proper educational resources. We have developed video tutorials that allow our beneficiaries to gain confidence in the use of computers and understand how computers can help them in their daily lives. The success of the system comes from how these videos are applied: (1) students work on computers with dual screens, (2) the use of computers is done on an individual basis, (3) trial and error learning and extensive practice are encouraged, and (4) the quality of the training is provided and guaranteed by the videos. An entrepreneurship formula has been designed through which the technology and the system are initially implemented and then transferred to local entrepreneurs who, through local Community Based Organizations (CBOs), manage local academies which give continuity to the education program. Our first experience was in Lamu (northeast of Kenya). The academy started in May 2013 and the whole technology was transferred to a local CBO. The experience has been very successful, since with just one local person with intermediate computer knowledge and three computers, a total of 86 young people of Lamu have become literate in computer use in just 11 months. Other implementations are currently being analyzed in Uganda, Tanzania, El Salvador and Peru.
Keywords :
computer literacy; CBO; computer illiteracy; local community based organizations; local entrepreneurs; proper educational resources; successful entrepreneurship formula; training system; video tutorials; Computers; Context; Cultural differences; Electronic mail; Training; Tutorials;
Conference_Titel :
Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2014 IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Jose, CA
DOI :
10.1109/GHTC.2014.6970299