Young Ecuadorians gain skills through digital newspaper
24 December 2009
As part of the IICD-supported ICT programme in classroom, primary students in Ecuador’s Montecristi town are being trained to use basic computer tools to design online newspapers and learn Spanish. It has also helped them to consult digital encyclopedias.
Students in Ecuador are making a digital newspaper to improve their computer skills and their Spanish. The newspaper medium helps them better both their language and writing skills, as well as use of computer programmes.
- IICD/ Young Ecquadorians learning basic computer skills
At the primary school in Aplicación Pedagógica 23 de Octubre in Montecristi, Spanish class students learn how to write and design by using basic text writing tools such as Word, and also how to consult digital encyclopedias to find information on a certain topic.
Because internet connection can be slow, expensive and often unreliable in the area, most of the encyclopedias have been installed in the computers.
In groups, students identify a topic to write about and gather all information needed to write a newspaper. Topics that are popular include ‘news from the town’, ‘school news’ and ‘sports.’
In addition to text writing, students also learn how to use computer programs to make spreadsheets (Excel).
The project in the school in Montecristi is part of a larger IICD-supported programme that seeks to integrate ICT in the existing curriculum and to train teachers to use ICT in the classroom.
Programme partners include Edúcate and FUVIA. The Ministry of Education also has demonstrated its interest in the project.
