The SCIMA Digital Enhancement Program was launched by LLF in Mesco Grades School, Malakpet Hyderabad in June 2009. The inception of this program has brought about a paradigm shift in the teaching and learning processes in the school. More than 600 students from the Madrasas and nearby outreach schools have been trained successfully on the ‘explore@myworld.com’ curriculum that focuses on digital literacy and 21^st century skills.

The enhancement program is part of Dell’s signature Dell YouthConnect program and aims to provide support for education by promoting a 21^st century learning environment, encouraging science & math learning and helping underprivileged children from the community gain digital literacy and 21^st century skills.

To showcase this initiative a carnival was organized for the students of the community on the 15^th of January 2010 at Mesco Grades, Hyderabad where the parents of the students were also invited as special guests.

The event was an opportunity for the visiting Dell officials from across the globe to have a firsthand experience of the initiatives undertaken in Mesco Grades by Learning Links Foundation with support from Dell YouthConnect and was graced by Senior Representatives from Dell Global, Learning Links Foundation (LLF) & Mesco Grades School. The day began with a brief introduction by Dr Fakruddin, Director Mesco Grades highlighting the initiatives taken in the school as a part of the SCIMA Digital Enhancement Project. He congratulated Dell and LLF for the collaborative initiative to promote 21^st century learning environment and community development.

 

Smart Class - Sharing the experience- The guests were then given a demonstration of the ‘Smart Class’ which as a technology tool motivates grasp of concepts. The guests were also introduced to the online assessment techniques (SAS) adopted by the teachers to assess student understanding.

 

 

 

The community children took this opportunity to share their work done during the program with the Dell Officials. Very enthusiastically they showcased the work done by them through multimedia projects on ‘Master Plan for an Ideal Community, Poster on Do’s & Don’ts of Swine Flu, a Presentation on Prevention of Malaria & Dengue & Ill Effects of Junk Food & a Sample Balanced Diet. They also communicated how the program was helping them become responsible adults by making them aware of community issues while being greatly different than what was taught in school.

For an interesting end to the day, a number of fun activities had been organized for the children and the participating Dell officials. They ranged from games which required thinking out of the box to strategizing effectively to complete a series of tasks. The activities saw the students and Dell officials collaborating and participating enthusiastically while the parents were the onlookers. To express their appreciation, the community children presented the Dell officials with a thank you card. It had been a day which brought smiles on the faces of all and was yet another milestone in the partnership between LLF & DYC.

(Messages by some of the Dell officials)