PROGRAMME FOR THE COMPUTER LITERACY COURSE FOR STREET AND WORKING GIRLS FROM BUTTERFLIES BY THE HABITAT LEARNING CENTRE

Introduction :

A need has been identified by Butterflies and the Habitat Learning Centre to bring the benefits of Information Technology within reach of street and working girls. The world is in the threshold of a new revolution where time and space will no longer be barriers for communication. While many have access to computer , there are still quite a few ,who have no clue whatsoever to the so called Technological revolution. The need of the moment is to bridge the digital divide .Girls in a non-IT-enabled space grow up with a distinct knowledge disadvantage, not only compared to the more developed countries, but also to those girls who have access to Information Technology in India.

At HLC , we will be using educational software to educate Street and Working Girls who are unfamiliar with the use and benefits of Computer Technology , in the month of March. The material will be in the form of interactive games, activities, classes. The software to be used for the programme will be game- and- application-based, allowing the users to learn through self-paced, interactive sessions.

The valued qualities of the programme that HLC has planned lie in four areas. First, the chosen software provides an interactive experience that the girls will enjoy. Second, the programme matches the level of challenge to the capability of the individual learner to ensure an appropriate level of challenge and learning. Third, the program allows the child to control the pace as a means of retaining their interest and involvement. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, the child would get immediate feedback as she is learning. This latter point is very important as all of us, in a learning experience, want feedback. "How am I doing so far?"

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Our objective would be to look at the training as an overall learning experience for the Street and Working girls .An exposure which should be able to introduce them to new and necessary information so that they are able to explore more and better options for a better quality of life.

Giving children a creative space is important to bring their imagination to life and to develop inspiration, wide ideals and an active imagination which may constantly lift the child to a higher and finer level. Children are naturally curious and creative. At HLC the girls will be using graphics and animation programs which will allow them to utilise their creativity and imagination to the fullest.

HLC desires to provide a window of opportunities to the girls by exposing them to an environment which gives them all the information required in various areas and subjects. HLC wants to contribute to causes that would create opportunities for girls participating in this training programme.

Personality development can help one improve and achieve career goals. In this age of competition, a child has to be very intelligent and smart right from his childhood. Self-confidence must be increased in a child right from the beginning. Our objective would be to help them recognize their abilities and build their confidence.

THE TRAINING PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS:

1) Basic Computer Literacy:

The first part of the training programme for street and working girls comprises of a basic Computer literacy module

MODULES OBJECTIVES:

2) Computer Aided Learning:

Once the basic Computer Literacy need is addressed, expansion into education in the fields of introduction of alphabets, numbers ,different colors ,monuments of Delhi, etc. would be the next step.

The objective of the second part of the training is to teach the girls the basics of English and Numbers , spoken and written. Our effort is to make learning a pleasure for them by capturing their interest and bringing the excitement of learning for them. Also , this will help them build their communication skills .Having strong written and verbal communication skills are important to carry out a business of any kind , this will also help them with day to day human transactions.

Result of the training:

There should be a measurable improvement in the quality of learning gained after the completion of the training Programme at the Habitat Learning Centre. The girls should be able to recognize , understand and speak out English alphabets and numbers.