108.000 disadvantaged students improve their studying by accessing to ICT and Computer Science program

Thứ Sáu, 20/04/2018, 21:30

PSNews - After nearly two years of implementation, the project has created widespread and remarkable changes. In 12 provinces / cities where the project was implemented, approximately 1,500 teachers and 108,000 students are introduced to the ICT andComputer Science programwith innovative content and methods.

Observing her classmates often typing with one hand or one finger, Bui Thanh Tam, a student in grade 9A in Thuong Coc Secondary School (Hoa Binh) has created a programming product named “Keyboard typing”.

In Thai Nguyen, Hoang Duy Tien, a student in grade 9D, Nam Hoa Secondary School, has programmed the product “Traffic Safety”with Kodu programming to help her classmates learn how to use their vehicles safely and legally. This is a more fun and easier way to understand traffic rules than theoretical lessons.

Tam and Tien are two of thousands of students who are approaching and initially applying computer science to improve their learning outcomes and solve life's problems in mountainous and rural areas of Vietnam.

The mountainous and rural areas face many challenges in terms of development and integration. In that context, ICT education is considered as the keyto help people change lives in ordernottobe left behind in the 4.0th industrial revolution. Meanwhile, due to the economic and social difficulties, students, the future labor generation, do not have many opportunities to access to advanced education programs.

Since 2016, in order to create favorable conditions for disadvantaged students to get access to modern andup-to-date ICTprogram, the ICT Department (Ministry of Education and Training), Microsoft Vietnam and Vietnet Information and Technology Center (Vietnet-ICT) have coordinatedto implement the project Youthspark Digital Inclusion in difficult areas of 12 provinces.

Targeted to provide knowledge and skills to help students not only use technology proficiently but can also create technology, the project has developed the ICT and Computer Science program to pilotin extra-curricular classes, including topics on Basic ITApplication, MovieMaking, 2D-3D Graphics, 2D-3D Programming and Internet Safety.

The results have marked the success of the project in narrowing the digital gap, stimulating passions, developing the knowledge and skills in computer science, applying information technology for young people in difficult areas.

Bui Thanh Tam, the author of the product “Keyboard typing” shared: “This product helps me to enhance my typing skills and also myagility, which helps to improve the learning results. What makes me happy is thatit can help other people with the same passion on computers. I hope this product can be introducedto all classes in the school and spread to other schools, giving otherstudents the opportunity to cultivate skills, get access totechnology products to integrate and develop more."

“After nearly two years of implementation, the project has created widespread and remarkable changes. In 12 provinces / cities where the project was implemented: Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 1,500 teachers and 108,000 students are introduced to the ICT andComputer Science programwith innovative content and methods.

Thanks to the positive impact and practicalknowledge thatthe projectoffers, many provinceshave actively organized trainings for officers and teachers to replicate theproject in the local”- said Ms Ngo Minh Trang, Deputy Director of Vietnet-ICT.

Mr. Pham The Truong - General Director of Microsoft Vietnam shared: "Microsoft is proud to sponsor thisprojectduring the last 2 years. We look forward to continuing to support disadvantaged youth, providing greater access to ICT and computer science, and replicating IT education initiatives of the YouthSpark program in Vietnam."

Mr To Hong Nam, Deputy Director General of ICT Department said: “The results of the project effectively support the teaching of ICT in schools, bring the opportunity to access to ICT skills, arouse the interest and passion for students in difficult areas. This is also an opportunity to experiment innovate teaching methods in schools. The products and experiences of this project can support the renovation of ICT program in the near future.”

The review and planning workshop of the project “YouthSpark Digital Inclusion” was held in Hanoi with the venue sponsor of Melia Hanoi Hotel.

PSNews