My work with self organised learning by children shows that groups of children can learn to use computers and the Internet to answer almost any question. This happens everywhere and is independent of what language they speak, where they live and how rich or poor they are. All they need is free access and the liberty to work in unsupervised groups. The most effective group size seems to be 4-5 children. Read More
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The Chairman of Dot Com Mob, Robert Magid, talks about how the success of the Indigenous Knlowledge and Technology Centre in Hope Vale, Cape York, Queensland.
Indigenous Newslines is a free magazine on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues which is published quarterly in hard copy and online. It provides information on Australian Government services and programs and includes inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories from across the nation. The following article covers the success of the Hope Vale indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre. Our own place An Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre is a window to the world for the community of Hope Vale in far north Queensland. At the Hope Vale centre locals can access library books, magazines and DVDs, and music, games and the Internet thanks to 12 computers. There is an after-high school homework club, reading programs for young children and school holiday programs. Around 50 to 60 community members visit every day and after-school activities engage about 30–50 children at a time. What sets the centre apart from regular public libraries is the relaxed, friendly space that is ‘owned’ by the community, giving local kids the chance to learn in their own setting. “We have information on Indigenous people, we have Aboriginal art on the walls, we’re engaging with our people to suit the needs of our people,” centre coordinator Shirley Costello says. “At school you sit at your desk in a classroom to do your work, but here you can do the same work lying on a cushion, listening to music, and it makes all the difference. That’s what we, the Indigenous people, want. “It’s an old saying by a lot of our elderly people that Indigenous people are fortunate because we can mix in both worlds – our culture and non-Indigenous culture.” Kids at the centre have become experts at using the Internet, posting YouTube clips, doing karaoke and researching interests such as fishing or football. Older users meet to record their stories and autobiographies, use Google Earth to spot their place in the world, or chat with friends and family on Skype. Others are making their own digital photo albums, calendars, business cards or CVs. “Having that access is a giant leap for a remote Indigenous community,” Costello says. “A knowledge centre and the Internet help our kids’ self esteem and our people to be more up-to-date with the wider world – you’re looking through a bigger picture. “I say to other communities, go for it because it opens up a whole new world to your people. Our motto here is that learning never stops. It started with the message stick – we continue today with the memory stick.” The Hope Vale centre is one of 18 knowledge centres owned, managed and staffed by local Indigenous councils. It was established with support from the non-profit company Dot Com Mob (www.dotcommob.org), which is helping to bring the Internet to remote communities, and the State Library of Queensland www.slq.qld.gov.au/about/who/orgchart/ils/ikc Hope Vale is a Cape York Welfare Reform community. Visit the FaCH Mayor Desmond Tayley and Personal Development Officer, Garry Ashworth begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting share their thoughts about the recently upgraded Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre at Wujal Wujal and discuss the positive benefits it has had on their community. Watch the short interview below. There's a technological revolution under way in remote areas of Queensland.
With the help of digital technology, "we are saving storied to pass on to our children and grandchildren", said Likkian Noah from Pormpuraaw on the Western Cape. Ms Noah is one of 18 Indigenous Knowledge Centre co-ordinators meeting this week at the State Library of Queensland's Kuril Dhagun Cebtre near Kurilpa Point to share experiences and learn computer and electronic skills. Former MasterChef contestant Tom Moseby has recently taken on the role of executive manager of indigenous research and projects at SLQ. He grew up on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, and yesterday said these centres were "helping indigenous communties keep their culture strong". The IKC project began in 2002, combining traditional meeting places and modern library services. The 18th centre will open in November on Hammond Island. Most co-ordinators are femail teachers and elders who record local stories, photos and artwork to be shared with others in the community and people on the internet (at www.ikcnetwork.blogspot.com). Annie Min is known as "Grandma Library" on Mabuiag Island in the Torres Strait. "I store stories and pictures into the computer in English, Creole and Kala Lagua Ya languages." she said. Co-ordinators said that, as well as preserving oral history, the initiative gave indigenous communties "a sense of belonging". Courier Mail, 23 October 2009 THE Hope Vale Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre has made a “huge impact” on the indigenous community in its first year of operation, says coordinator Shirley Costello. By helping to “narrow the digital divide”, the centre had also boosted educational, employment and social opportunities for residents of the indigenous community, she said. “It has made a huge impact to our community especially with the realisation that technology is the ‘now’ factor – not only globally and nationally, but now locally,” said Ms Costello. She said the centre averaged about 50-60 people a day from a cross-section of the community, who used it not only to access to the internet and books, but also as a hub for learning, capacity building and strengthening cultural identity – from being a meeting space for elders to engaging youth who were unable to attend high school in Cooktown. Expensive designer clothing items that are released each season are only available in retail stores for approximately three months. Once the fashion season is finished, the unsold clothing items, are returned to the designers. At best, these items are stored for years in warehouses. At worst, the clothing items become general waste. Last year alone, there was over 87 000 tonnes of textile waste that became landfill in Australia.
The Dot Com Mob was very fortunate this year to visit with their partners at the Hope Vale Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre during NAIDOC week in July and were lucky enough to be in time for the NAIDOC community parade.
Shirley Costello, the co-ordinator at the Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Centre was also the Master of Ceremonies for the NAIDOC celebrations. The photos below will give you a sense of what a great occasion it was for all involved. Mayor Desmond Tayley and Deputy Mayor Talita Nandy welcomed several international dignitaries this week, including visitors from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indians.
Amongst the visitors were the Dot Com Mob, who is seeking corporate partners to help the Wujal Wujal council to upgrade the computer room in the Indigenous Knowledge Centre. The State Library of Qld already supports the community with books and training events as well as supporting the centre co-ordinator Carol Toby but currently the community only has access to one public computer. The Mayor presented the Dot Com Mob with a copy of the book "Yalanji, Warranga Kaban", which details the history of the Yalanji people. The children and youths of Wujal Wujal treated the visitors to a wonderful display of traditional dancing. Many thanks to the whole community for such a warm welcome! |