Digital Didi Changing Mindsets, Practices and Narratives
Orientation towards STEM has been happening over the years in the upper and middle class societies while the rural areas, where social stigmas still play a major role in the decision making, is still struggling to get a grip on it and this update from one of the CIRCs gives a better glimpse of the situation.
Digital literacy has proved to be essential among all age groups in this age of digital transformation. Digital Empowerment Foundation has been actively engaged, even before the dawn of the digital age, in making sure that the access to digital devices doesn’t pose an obstacle to digital literacy so that the marginalised community across India can avail services that enable them to get their basic needs. One such effort has been the very effective and ever growing CIRC (Community Information Resource Centre).
The CIRC in Donabagatta village of Shimoga district in Karnataka has recently focussed on promoting overall growth of students in that region by conducting various activities using digital tools.
65 students from 3rd– 5th class of Almehdi Charitable Trust participated in learning to use the Start Tool Kit and understood the efficient use of the internet and social media. Through fun learning activities students were able to understand logos and basics of the application. Students actively participated in the session and are eager to explore more of the DEF’s start tool kit.
Lemon Battery and Mini Microscope experiments were conducted to imbibe STEM mindset in which 25 Students of 5th standard participated; these students belong to the Almehdi Charitable Trust. A piece of zinc metal, copper, lemons and LED were used for the experiments, which showcased how lemon batteries work and generate electricity. Resource person took a class, as per the requirements of the students, on a mini microscope. A diagram was drawn and an explanation was given regarding each part and its purpose. Later, the students practically explored the microscope.
5 students are currently enrolled in the basic computer course as a part of the Digital Literacy Course. 15 students have completed the course and their exam is scheduled at the end of October month. Notepad, Painting, WordPad, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Canva etc are the areas where the student received the training.
Online classes and technologies have emerged as one of the most substantial mediums of learning. It is a delight to see the students from marginalised communities show interest in learning to use these means to match with the pace of the digital world.
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