How we are Helping
Currently, many regions around the world have a surplus of unmet educational needs that require funding beyond what is available from their local governments or communities. We will work with schools that are already operational, to set up educational technologies and provide enhanced educational programs for their classrooms. Ideally, we will be doing this through setting up computer labs and conducting teacher workshops. We will set up these labs by partnering with both the schools and other Non-Governmental Organizations to implement this technology and enhanced educational opportunities in the classrooms.
Workshops we will be Conducting
Just Learning Opportunities will develop and teach in-service workshops to help teachers learn about current best instructional practices, and then model this approach to school staff. The objective of a lesson plan design workshop, for example, would be to have each teacher demonstrate best practices by creating a lesson plan that encourages student inquiry and critical thinking. Included in the lesson plan design will be a section on essential questions, to encourage critical thinking and to help students relate the subject matter to something with which they are already familiar.
Workshops will also stress the importance of mastering academic language in order for students to succeed in all content areas. This is particularly important for English Language Learners, as academic language mastery is often cited as a key reason for the achievement gap between English Language Learners and native English speakers.
Technologies we Plan to set Up
PC's and Tablets
PC’s and Tablets: The type of computers Just Learning Opportunities will be implementing is Intel’s Classmate PC (CMPC) or a comparable ruggedized, low cost laptop or tablet. CMPC’s have a rugged rubber case, rounded corners, and are both drop and water resistant, designed specifically for child use. They are able to function up to ten hours on one charge, giving it the ability to last all day. These computers can have both mouse pads for point and click as well as a touch screen interface that easily enables children to select what they want on screen. It also contains other functions such as a built in camera and temperature probes. These types of systems are made for use both inside and outside of the classroom, ideal for use in rural areas in developing countries.
Waterford Early Learning
The adaptive learning program we will likely deploy for schools with K-4th grade students is called Waterford Early Learning. Waterford teaches reading, mathematics and science to children from pre-school through 4th grade. Waterford adapts to each child’s speed of learning to ensure no child is overlooked or limited due to the pace of their learning ability. This interactive program engages the students through animations and games that run on either touch or point and click laptops. It also offers learning technologies such as digital books, hundreds of animated songs and many interactive activities. Waterford is user-friendly to both the student and the teacher, containing simple instructions to maximize productivity. This adaptive learning program also offers on-demand reports that provide detailed insights on the progress of the students and classes. Waterford’s personalized curriculum allows for each child to become the best student they can be. To learn more about the Waterford application, please visit their website at http://www.waterford.org.
Solar Power
Many schools in developing areas do not have a reliable power source, if any. Without a stable power source, educational technologies such as Classmate PC’s and adaptive learning programs would be useless. Installing backup power systems such as solar panels supply schools with a reliable and sustainable source of energy to meet their educational needs. The prices of these of these solar panels are decreasing to a point that makes them ideal for schools with limited budgets and limited power supplies. We intend to provide our donors with a sense of satisfaction of knowing that their contributions directly invest in a sustainable future for at-risk children.