A MODEL FOR COMPUTER LITERACY PROGRAMME USING OSS

Objective of the study

  1. Build a model for computer literacy course based on CM for adults from resource constrained areas
  2. Test if the computer literacy course based on CM that uses OSS more effective than the standard computer literacy course. - does it improve CS skills, make learners more confident users of the computer.

Literature Review

Develop a model to implement computer literacy programs in resource constrained areas.

CM syllabus – framework, objective

CM for elementary school, CM for adults – why we use the same content and not create new content or adapt it?

What are the assumptions – pre requisites – to get the course going?

  1. Infrastructure – computers, Internet, operating system, software and applications – installed, maintenance of the system.
  2. Trained teachers – should be able to teach CM content (SWT, LR, Scratch), confident as phobia in the trainer easily transfers onto the trainees.
  3. Content – CM copies.

Objective of the course:

Build computer fluency amongst the novice computer learners

Adequacy of topics and if any what is the adaptation required.

Computer Literacy - Course structure

Components of the basic computer course for novice learners.

Module I

Objective: familiarity with computers

Module II

Objective: Building office management skills

Module III

Objective: Problem solving, Reasoning capacities,

Module IV

Objective: information literacy

Methodology

Independent variable

1. Computer literacy course based on CM syllabus and content

Dependent variable

  1. Comptuer skills - standard test of assessment - for example – typing content in a word processor, creating a PPT, search for information on internet .
  2. Computer competency skills for jobs like data entry, office staff, account assistants, information gathering and reporting etc.,
  3. Problem solving skills
  4. Computer self-efficacy
  5. Self confidence

Design: Control group – Experimental group

Control group – participants of the NSVK program (standard course computer literacy course that – vidya follows – topics - word, excel, ppt, Internet, HTML)

Experimental group - participants of the computer literacy course based on CM – (CM1, CM2, CM3, oen topic each form CM 4 and 5).

The control group participants are trainees enrolled in the NSVK course at the beginning of the course.

The experimental group participants are trainees enrolled in the computer literacy course that commenced from January '08.

Pilot

Conducted withparticipants of the computer literacy courses at Vidya (Vidya was created in 2001 in collaboration with cell for human values HSS dept, IITB for integrated development of youth and adults).

Courses

[Vidya offers a three month program (commenced from January, 2009)]

Following 2 courses - CM has been used.

  1. NSVK course is called - Basic computer applications.
  2. Computer literacy programme – under PDT for level 3 and level 4 employees of institute. 3rd batch commencing – 80 to 85 trained. (600 to 700 employees will be trained)

Teachers

NSVK - (NSS students (IIT students), S –sanganak, V – vidya, K – kendra)

Other student volunteers

Teach India volunteers.

2 permanent teachers.

Participants

(The participants are from a wide range of educational background – semi literate, literate but first time users of computers, participants from resource constrained areas – Phule nagar)

Students from resource constrained areas.

Level 3 and 4 employees of IITB were sent by the institute) upgrade their computer skills, ii) to benefit from the ITES services.

Housewives who wanted to get familiarity with computers (some of these participants are volunteers in the current sessions).

NSVK and open school students for the purpose of their academic requirements.

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

References