Connecting Children and Young Adults to Global Ideas using Information Technology

2 Agenda  Introduction & Problem Identification;  Goals & Objectives;  The Project;  Next Steps

3 Introduction & Problem Identification  Digital Divide  The gap between those people who have access to digital information and communication technology (ICT) and those who do not  Does this divide exist in Saint Lucia?

4 Goal Connect Children and Young Adults to Global Ideas using Information Technology

5 Objectives 1)Conduct Needs Analyses of Multiple Community Schools for future projects; 2)Set-up Donated Computers 1)Grace Combined Primary School in Vieux Fort; and 2) Dugard Primary School in Choiseul

6 The Project – Part I: Needs Analyses Part 1: Needs Assessments and Data Compilation Assess the needs of seven different primary and secondary schools in the area of computer technology. Includes factors such as space, climate control, and faculty skill. Initiate relationships with school principals for future projects.

7 The Project – Part I: Needs Analyses Veiux Fort School for Special Needs Veiux Fort School for Special Needs Vieux Fort Secondary School Vieux Fort Secondary School Micoud Secondary School Micoud Secondary School Patience Combined - Mon Repos Patience Combined - Mon Repos Mon Repos Combined Mon Repos Combined Emmanuelle SDA Primary School – Mon Repos Emmanuelle SDA Primary School – Mon Repos Belle-vue Combined Belle-vue Combined Example of Assessment – Patience Primary Example of Assessment – Patience Primary

8 Grace Combined The Project – Part II: Computer Donation

9 Grace Combined Phillip McClauren working with a student Transfer of computers

10 Grace Combined First Drawing Lesson on a PC Resulting Picture

11 Dugard Combined

12 Dugard Combined BEFORE Monday, January 6 th, 2008

13 Dugard Combined AFTER!!!

14 Dugard Combined

15 Dugard Combined

16 Dugard Combined AFTER!!!

17 Outputs Report of Compiled School Assessments; Report of Compiled School Assessments; Installation of Computers in Dugard Combined School and Grace Combined School; Installation of Computers in Dugard Combined School and Grace Combined School; Final Report with Suggestions for Future Projects. Final Report with Suggestions for Future Projects.

18 Next Steps  Work with Dugard and Grace to install climate control and obtain learning software;  Arrange an ongoing source of ICT materials through grants from corporate donors and trusts;  Develop projects with other primary schools in the area.

19 Thank You! Mr. Phillip McClauren - Ministry of Consumer Affairs Mr. Phillip McClauren - Ministry of Consumer Affairs Ms. Pauline Prosper – Grace Combined School Ms. Pauline Prosper – Grace Combined School Ms. Mary Edwards and teachers – Dugard Combined School Ms. Mary Edwards and teachers – Dugard Combined School Ms. Grita Joseph – Community Leader, Mon Repos Ms. Grita Joseph – Community Leader, Mon Repos Mr. Marcus Edwards – Ministry of Education Mr. Marcus Edwards – Ministry of Education The staff at Kabran Hotel in Vieux Fort and our dedicated drivers, Gordon and Carol The staff at Kabran Hotel in Vieux Fort and our dedicated drivers, Gordon and Carol

20 “Everyone who’s happy, raise your hands” ~ Mary Edwards

21 Contact Information Joy Sylvester (802) (cell) (802) (cell) Thomas DeSisto (802) (work) (802) (work)

22 References  Lenhart et al., (2003) The Ever-shifting Internet Population: A New Look at Internet Access and the Digital Divide. Washington, DC.: Pew Internet and American Life Project. Accessed October 15, 2007 from  United States Central Intelligence Agency (2007) 2007 World Factbook. Accessed on October 15, 2007 from Van Dijk, J. (2006). Digital Divide Research, Achievements, and Shortcomings. Poetics, 34, Van Dijk, J. (2006). Digital Divide Research, Achievements, and Shortcomings. Poetics, 34, Van Dijk, J. (2005). The Deepening Divide: Inequity in the Information Society. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc. Van Dijk, J. (2005). The Deepening Divide: Inequity in the Information Society. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc. Van Dijk, J. (2003). A Framework for Digital Divide Research. Electronic Journal of Communication, 12(1) Accessed October, 10, 2007 from Van Dijk, J. (2003). A Framework for Digital Divide Research. Electronic Journal of Communication, 12(1) Accessed October, 10, 2007 from