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Students begin to enjoy computer classes as they overcome fear of the mouse
JIS News
Monday, January 03, 2005
SOME of the children, ages three to six, at the St Auburn Basic School in Patrick City, Kingston cried whenever their teacher told them about the use of computers and mentioned the mouse.
However, since the introduction of three computers and a printer, courtesy of the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund nearly seven months ago, the students have happily been exploring the technology with their teachers.
"I always wondered why some of the students cried, while others were happy, when we have computer instruction," principal Audrey Grant-Clue told JIS News.
"I recently found out that it was because of the mouse. They are afraid to touch it because they think it is a real-life mouse," she said.
When those students who were terrified of the mouse saw others bravely clamour to manipulate it, they too eventually warmed to the idea of holding the mouse in order to experience the joys of moving from stage to stage in their Mathematics or Reading exercise.
As for the teachers at the 26 year-old institution, there have been smiles all around as they express their appreciation and enthusiasm for the equipment and work centres, which have not only enhanced the teaching process, but have spurred them on to acquire the requisite skills in ICT.
Prior to the introduction of the computers, Grant-Clue along with another teacher, were the only persons on staff who were equipped with computer knowledge and skills. Most of the other members of staff have since gained computer competency.
To ensure that every child at the school has access to the technology, they are arranged in groups. "We have achieved a lot so far by organising the children in groups," the principal said.
"What we did last term, was to allow the students to manipulate the computer, get familiar with the names of the parts of the computer and to access the educational programmes," she added.
She said that this term the computer classes will be more streamlined. At the end of the term, each child will receive a certificate of participation, and also at the end of each lesson on the software, so that parents will see what their children have achieved.
Grant-Clue says that most of the parents have been very pleased with the introduction of the computer classes.
Enrolment at the school has grown from 159 in the previous term to 180 students last term. However, the principal was cautious about attributing the increase to the presence of the computers.
"I cannot definitively attribute the increase in enrolment to the introduction of the computers just yet. We will have to wait and see," she said.
She added: "The computer programmes assist immeasurably with the school work, and help in the reinforcement of curriculum."
The CHASE Fund, which was established in November 2002 and started operation in January 2003, was set up as a company to receive, distribute, administer and manage the monetary contributions from the lottery companies.
The areas of focus are sports development, early childhood education, health, arts and culture. To date, the Fund has allotted $136 million to early childhood education
JIS News
Monday, January 03, 2005
SOME of the children, ages three to six, at the St Auburn Basic School in Patrick City, Kingston cried whenever their teacher told them about the use of computers and mentioned the mouse.
However, since the introduction of three computers and a printer, courtesy of the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund nearly seven months ago, the students have happily been exploring the technology with their teachers.
"I always wondered why some of the students cried, while others were happy, when we have computer instruction," principal Audrey Grant-Clue told JIS News.
"I recently found out that it was because of the mouse. They are afraid to touch it because they think it is a real-life mouse," she said.
When those students who were terrified of the mouse saw others bravely clamour to manipulate it, they too eventually warmed to the idea of holding the mouse in order to experience the joys of moving from stage to stage in their Mathematics or Reading exercise.
As for the teachers at the 26 year-old institution, there have been smiles all around as they express their appreciation and enthusiasm for the equipment and work centres, which have not only enhanced the teaching process, but have spurred them on to acquire the requisite skills in ICT.
Prior to the introduction of the computers, Grant-Clue along with another teacher, were the only persons on staff who were equipped with computer knowledge and skills. Most of the other members of staff have since gained computer competency.
To ensure that every child at the school has access to the technology, they are arranged in groups. "We have achieved a lot so far by organising the children in groups," the principal said.
"What we did last term, was to allow the students to manipulate the computer, get familiar with the names of the parts of the computer and to access the educational programmes," she added.
She said that this term the computer classes will be more streamlined. At the end of the term, each child will receive a certificate of participation, and also at the end of each lesson on the software, so that parents will see what their children have achieved.
Grant-Clue says that most of the parents have been very pleased with the introduction of the computer classes.
Enrolment at the school has grown from 159 in the previous term to 180 students last term. However, the principal was cautious about attributing the increase to the presence of the computers.
"I cannot definitively attribute the increase in enrolment to the introduction of the computers just yet. We will have to wait and see," she said.
She added: "The computer programmes assist immeasurably with the school work, and help in the reinforcement of curriculum."
The CHASE Fund, which was established in November 2002 and started operation in January 2003, was set up as a company to receive, distribute, administer and manage the monetary contributions from the lottery companies.
The areas of focus are sports development, early childhood education, health, arts and culture. To date, the Fund has allotted $136 million to early childhood education