Computer Labs for Kids: Update Dallas, March 20, 2010

I have received photos from Shira that give a flavor of what Computer Labs for Kids' latest project was like on March 20, 2010 in Dallas, Texas, at Buckner Children and Family Services.  Having been a volunteer at a Computer Labs for Kids' project in Chicago, Illinois in November, 2009, I can pretty much now tell what went on each step of the way :)

If you have an opportunity to do so, I highly recommend signing up as a volunteer at one of Shira Evans' Computer Labs for Kids projects.  The personal rewards you will experience in exchange for a few hours of your time on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon are more precious than gold. 

 First Photo:  I know this scene!  It's the main table where everyone comes to check in and get their name tags!  Supplies for volunteers are also handed out here - very important because they contain the supplies needed for their student along with the exercise sheets that are worked through as the Workshop begins and continues through life-value lessons (non-denominational) that teach such basic things as respect for others, respect for others' belongings and how to care for your belongings.  Here we see a volunteer (in black blouse) and Shira Evans (going through her check-list).

Second photo: One of the computers to be given to the kids.  As you can see, these aren't "toys."  They are actual working laptops that come fully loaded with Windows operating system and other software, including GM Susan Polgar's award-winning "Learn Chess in 30 Minutes."

At the conclusion of the Computer Labs for Kids worshop, each child receives his or her very own laptop computer to keep.

Third Photo: A photo of the class in session. You can see the kids and the volunteers working with the computers. Each kid has his or her own volunteer, who goes through a short on-line training session to better enable the volunteer to deal with questions and issues that his or her child may raise during the course. Typically even so-called "problem" children are well behaved during the session (there is a break half-way through), as the kids are all intensively engaged. First, "life lessons" videos are displayed on a large screen at the front of the room; then a question and answer session promotes interchange with the kids in the audience. After the on-screen lesson, the volunteer and the child go through the lesson again on the computer, where the child has an opportunity to ask questions and a work-book is also gone through, where the child works with his or her volunteer to answer life-lesson questions.

Fourth Photo: One-on-one.  This is how Computer Labs for Kids workshops are taught in the United States - one volunteer instructor and one child.  The kids don't have to "share" an instructor, they each have their own, ready to show them how to utilize the computer and the pre-loaded programs, and answer all the questions they have.  The interaction between student and volunteer is intense and very personal.