February 2016: GVI Laos

Monthly Achievement Report: Computers

Objectives:

To provide access to computers and increase computer skills for under privileged students
Improve student's general English language ability
Offer employment opportunities and trainings to local people in the community
To provide equal educational opportunities for both females and males

Last December, GVI Laos purchased eight brand new laptops, mice, mouse pads and carry cases, from
the money raised from our Annual Charitable Trust Challenges and one off donations. These laptops
are not only injecting a bit of excitement into the classroom, increasing student engagement and
challenging them to use the English language in a new way, theyre also being used to teach important
transferable skills. They are currently being used in a plethora of classes, including our Novice Monk
classes, female only workshops, childrens English classes and our adult college classes.
Beginner Novice Monks at Wat Mano, one of the temple schools our volunteers teach at, have been
learning rudimentary computer skills and basic computer terminology. The majority of these students
have never used a computer before, as many come from the rural parts of Laos, and it has been
incredible to see their faces light up when they realize that they are the ones controlling the mouse on
screen through their movements on the trackpad.
On the other end of the spectrum, our more advanced students have been using the laptops for
presentation construction, essay writing, CV drafting, research and report writing. Last month
students at Xayadeth College were extremely proud after the completion and successful delivery of
their very first presentations, after spending weeks learning fundamental PowerPoint skills.
The laptops are also being used in conjunction with our recently purchased Cambridge certified
Face2Face English curriculum books in many of our classes. Each book came with its own interactive
CD. These have allowed students to further extend and practice the four key language skills, speaking,
listening, reading and writing, in a different, yet interactive and engaging medium.
We are looking forward to seeing how these new laptops improve and extend our students English
abilities and opportunities. We are also currently in the process of developing a computing curriculum
for the students, which will focus on basic computer functionality, Microsoft Office training and the
correct and appropriate use of the Internet. This curriculum will fully prepare the students for the
technological challenges they may face in all future employment.

Written by Field Staff Member Luke Tavener