Technology and a new teaching method help country children

“Sure city kids are cool, but kids here in the countryside are equally cool as we’re at home where our parents and friends live.”

That’s the verdict from one of the children enrolled in Plan China’s Shaanxi School Improvement Project (SIP) in Pucheng County, now in its third year. Communications and PR Specialist Francesca Celestre said: “Children in rural schools often feel city children, with access to all the latest technology, are more capable than they are. But this is just not the case – and the Shaanxi project aims to help children gain greater self-esteem and self-expression and find out more about equality, rights and responsibilities.

“A recent case study which compared children’s outlooks in schools revealed that children exposed to Plan’s teaching methods have a higher level of self-esteem than those not in SIP schools. The project improves education so that children can realise their full potential and ultimately achieve sustainable development in their communities.”

A student enrolled in a Shaanxi School Improvement Project school said: “If you ask a Xi’an city kid to live here and perform all the tasks we are supposed to do, I don’t think they could. Children here have more experience on life.”

Information technology brings the future to rural children

Plan in China carried out a pilot Children’s Computer Information Technology Project in 41 primary schools in rural Shaanxi province. 
 
Children in rural areas are often at a disadvantage when they move to secondary education because of their lack of access to technology when compared with children from urban areas. The CCIT project aims to narrow the gap by providing opportunities for rural children to learn basic computing skills.

The project provides computer hardware and training to teachers in areas where the IT infrastructure and resources are limited. Teachers are encouraged to widen their perspective and learn new teaching methods using computers in order to engage children in learning. Access to computers is also made available to adults in the project villages, allowing the whole community to benefit.

So far nearly 6,000 children and 400 teachers have been involved in the project. Plan hopes to expand CCIT across China in future, to ensure that as many children as possible have the opportunity to learn in this way.

Children work together

“When I first met my good friend, I mean the computer, it seemed like a huge magnet attracting me. I drew pictures in the drawing area according to what my teacher lectured… Now my picture is in the school’s exhibition of computer artwork. I am so happy to have made friends with the computer.” Fang Xin (Female), Xixiang County

“In the beginning I knew nothing about the computer and felt so frightened whenever there was a computer course. Now, after learning how to use the computer with the teacher’s help and the support of Plan, I can type, draw pictures and do many other things with the computer.” Ni Wang (Female), Chunhua County

“Through the training I learned about computers and basic computer skills. Computers help us acquire current information, and information enables us to confidently work toward a bright future.” Qian Wang, a villager from Chunhua County