Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Teaching Computer Lit. in Developing Countries?

Posted by Cliff on from the non-physical-reading-material dept.

Pro777 asks: "I am a US Peace Corps volunteer currently teaching 'Computer Studies' at a High School in the Republic of Samoa, in the South Pacific. Anyways, myself and other IT teachers are having a difficult time finding a good digital textbook to teach basic skills such as basic computer architecture, word processing, and using spreadsheets. Real textbooks are cost prohibitive, and a lot of what is found is too high level for our students. Any suggestions?"

3 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Return Question by FidelCatsro · · Score: 2, Insightful

    An important factor is , What machine are avaliable to you , if any.
    A great deal of teaching revolves around commen referance .
    You can find the best text in the world , but if it requires you use an IBM PC and your stuck with a bunch of colico computers then it wont be much use to your

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  2. Make your own, then by ChibiOne · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What about writing your own stuff? Seriously, you could pick a couple of good basic documents about what you want to teach as a base for new ones. Yyou could even write from scratchthe one about computer architecture.

  3. Make them learn by bluGill · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Teach them to learn, not teach them to use one particular program. Sames as the old teach a man to fish thing. Give them a computer, and tell them they must write a paper with it. Mark all the spelling mistakes up and then write a note: next time use the spell checker. They will learn, and in the process learn to find what the rest of the program can do.

    Of course it is much easier to teach someone one program than to teach them to think. In the end though thinkers are what the world needs.