new horizon technology for all
Several years ago, the school I teach at was celebrating its 50th anniversary. We chose to work with Free the Children because we thought the program was solid and geared to students participating. Next, we joined their GO Local group and raised money last year for our local food bank. This year our GO Local team attended the Me to We Day and have been looking for a new initiative to work on.
Being a regular CBC listener, I caught the interview that Paul Martin gave last year where he discussed being involved in helping internationally and realizing that we have our own ‘third world’ issues at home to deal with in our aboriginal communities. Then I happened to hear on CBC about a company called DataWind, a wireless manufacturing company that won a contract to supply the world’s cheapest tablet computers to India.
So, I put the GO local team, the Paul Martin Challenge and the DataWInd tablet together and we came up with our initiative. My students want to be involved in putting this together. They think it’s a great idea because no surprise they are all into technology. The price of the tablet is so affordable and that they could raise enough money (if the price is the same for Canada) for many classroom sets. This would help aboriginal students to be connected to the world and more importantly other aboriginal communities and students their age in Canada. . The DataWind tablet called the Aakash “has a basic touch screen and can be used for functions like word processing, web browsing and video-conferencing. Aakash has a seven-inch HD 2.2 touch screen and an Android video co-processor.” And the next best part of it is that they are selling it for $35 to the Indian government.”
Our students are looking at several fund raisors. Another group of students are busy writing a letter to DataWind to find out if this is at all possible. By entering the Challenge we are hoping to bring you and DataWind together and benefit a lot of children who could use a step up in their education.http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/01/04/sci-datawind-tablet-computer.html
About You
About You
First Name
Fran
Last Name
Sparkes
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Fran Sparkes
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Website
Country
Canada
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
Other.
What best describes your group or organization
Elementary or Secondary school.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Innovation
Name Your Project.
new horizon technology for all
Tell us the story of your idea or project
Several years ago, the school I teach at was celebrating its 50th anniversary. We chose to work with Free the Children because we thought the program was solid and geared to students participating. Next, we joined their GO Local group and raised money last year for our local food bank. This year our GO Local team attended the Me to We Day and have been looking for a new initiative to work on.
Being a regular CBC listener, I caught the interview that Paul Martin gave last year where he discussed being involved in helping internationally and realizing that we have our own ‘third world’ issues at home to deal with in our aboriginal communities. Then I happened to hear on CBC about a company called DataWind, a wireless manufacturing company that won a contract to supply the world’s cheapest tablet computers to India.
So, I put the GO local team, the Paul Martin Challenge and the DataWInd tablet together and we came up with our initiative. My students want to be involved in putting this together. They think it’s a great idea because no surprise they are all into technology. The price of the tablet is so affordable and that they could raise enough money (if the price is the same for Canada) for many classroom sets. This would help aboriginal students to be connected to the world and more importantly other aboriginal communities and students their age in Canada. . The DataWind tablet called the Aakash “has a basic touch screen and can be used for functions like word processing, web browsing and video-conferencing. Aakash has a seven-inch HD 2.2 touch screen and an Android video co-processor.” And the next best part of it is that they are selling it for $35 to the Indian government.”
Our students are looking at several fund raisors. Another group of students are busy writing a letter to DataWind to find out if this is at all possible. By entering the Challenge we are hoping to bring you and DataWind together and benefit a lot of children who could use a step up in their education.http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/01/04/sci-datawind-tablet-computer.html
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Our idea is to connect aboriginal communities to each other, to Canada and the Globe through technology.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
• -If the project works then students in aboriginal communities will be able to connect with one another via the internet. This allows for the sharing and collaboration of aboriginal students with one another to develop, learn and share ideas , knowledge…in all areas of the curriculum. They will also be able to connect with communities outside their own, as well as the web (which can be a good thing if the right precautions and preventions are taken). As well in class, they can be a great resource to enhance their classroom experience. It will also keep students up to date with the technology revolution that they will be working with as they get older.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
If we can connect DataWInd tablets with your program then my students plan to fund raise in order to purchase class sets. They h
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
• -Our hope is that students will use the tablets to connect with each other, to extend their knowledge and to further their education. In particular, we hope that the tablet and the internet would help students in isolated communities expand their horizons and connect to their roots, their extended community and Canada. We hope in 5 years time that some of these students are using the technology to fill out University , College or Apprenticeship applications.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
• -We are a Free the Children GO Local Team. My students are important to this initiative because I think it is important for them to see the results of their fund raising efforts. My students like working toward something that helps kids. DataWind took on the challenge of developing an inexpensive tablet to communities in need in India. I think your challenge and their innovation are a great combination to help aboriginal students in Canada.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).- The St.Patrick community (teachers, staff, students and parents) are extremely supportive of our students initiatives. DataWInd is the company responsible for the inexpensive tablet so we will be reaching out to them.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
• -time, collaboration from staff and parents, space ( gym, school fields..), sports equipment.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 68 weeks ago Fran Sparkes updated this Competition Entry. |
| 68 weeks ago Fran Sparkes updated this Competition Entry. |
| 68 weeks ago Fran Sparkes submitted this idea. |
