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Ask Slashdot: How Would You Introduce Kids In Rural India To Computers?

Posted by timothy on from the here's-this-boostrap dept.

asto21 writes: A friend of mine wants to introduce school kids in rural India to computers and could use some advice. Key questions: What learning material to use and how to source? What programming language to start with? What software to introduce them to? What games to introduce them to? Key constraints: The kids don't know much English and speak a local language called Odiya. There aren't any technical publications/resources in Odiya. Poor internet connectivity. No computer experts on the school staff. Any other advice/help would also be appreciated.

2 of 218 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hmmm ... why? by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Informative

    From reading the OP it is clear there were already plans for a computer learning lab, which exists to some degree.

    Oh, really?

    Key constraints: The kids don't know much English and speak a local language called Odiya. There aren't any technical publications/resources in Odiya. Poor internet connectivity. No computer experts on the school staff. Any other advice/help would also be appreciated.

    This doesn't sound like they have any infrastructure, expertise, technology, or a plan ... just "hey, let's show these kids computers".

    At which point, I seriously question if this serves any purpose or will improve these kids lives any.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  2. First, listen to every talk by Sugata Mitra ... by stongef · · Score: 3, Informative

    This guy has a few clues on what can help, and he has done what your friend wants to do: http://www.ted.com/talks/sugat.... He might already have some project going on in India on which you can latch on to avoid re-inventing the wheel ...