oasisdamahana.org
Oasisdamahana IT Foundation.
Tuesday, 05 May 2009 05:36 | 
Our Vision
"Our vision is to improve ICT & Language skills to overcome
challenges of the village
challenges of the village
community"
Intel Teach Programme.
Today IT and ICT have become a vital part of our life. In a nut shell, IT is the main Key to open the Global world. We therefore say that it is impossible to live in this world. So as to adapt to this modern era and the millennium, we should have a wide range of knowledge and experience, which enables us to click into inventions, innovations and modernizations. IT gives us rapid, reliable and accurate solutions. Consequently, we must be familiar with ICT and live in it. Now ICT and IT are our shared partners in every system or unit.
To establish ICT in Sri Lankan schools today many steps have been made so far. Under SEMP project, what have been given to the government schools is immense and ample. The government has optimistically donated CLC centres and has given IT training to fifty percent of teachers from the government sector. Today CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) has also been introduced in schools to teach other subjects. Internet, which is the fastest communication media in this world, has been given to schools to fly to other countries without a flight.
In August 2006 a well equipped computer center was received to Damahana Maha vidyalaya in Rathnapura District. This computer center was setup with the assistance provided by the Asian Development Bank, through the Secondary Educational Modernization Project (SEMP). The unit consists of twenty computers with all its accessories. After setting up of this unit the school has made vast strides in the sphere of education in general. With the use of these computers and Internet, students are able to access vital and relevant information pertaining to their general education. In school hours we use these computers as part of our normal teaching and learning process. Besides, it serves as a useful tool to source information.
During extra classes held during after-school hours students are thought how to use computers for internet exploration, English language education, and special online courses. The students have their own website and are encouraged to maintain their own blogs. As a result, now, about 180 children are blog writers.
As an appreciation of all the good work done so far, the ministry allocated 20 Intel classmate PCs to Damahana maha vidyalaya donated by Intel co-operation.
With these laptops we also received wireless internet facilities. This is the fast e-village introduced to the Sabaragamuwa Province. With the addition facility the area surrounding Damahana Maha Vidyalaya has access to WIFI technology.
The teachers who are training at the moment
We were very happy about the exertion made by INTEL EM Ltd to bring this programme to Sabaragamuwa Province. Ratnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya, which is the one and the only e-village school in Sabaragamuwa and is located about 7km away from Balangoda city.
Mr. Sepala Kuruppuarachchi(Provincial Manager of SEMP Sabaragamuwa) in the Training programme.
Mr. Alapathe IT co-odinater in Balangoda education Zone.
Mrs. Tilini Hettiarachchi (Intel Teach) conducting the training programme.
The Principal Mr. B. Somasiri of R/Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
Mr. K.M.W. Bandara of R/Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
The 3rd Intel Teach Batch in Sabaragamuwa province, with 24 teachers from 13 school in Balangoda zone have trained form 25th june 2009 to 02rd july 2009 in Rathnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
A.M. Fazi (Centre Manager, CLC, R/ Hindu College, Balangoda). Said
“I was very happy about the exertion made by INTEL EM Ltd to bring this programme to Sabaragamuwa Province. I also attended the ‘Intel Teach workshop’, which is currently engaged at Ratnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya, which is the one and the only e-village school in Sabaragamuwa and is located about 7km away from Balangoda city. When I entered the school premises first, what I saw was unbelievable and amazing. Students were seen carrying class mate PCs looked mini laptops, which have been donated by Intel. I found differences and uniqueness in methodology and everything.
The Resource person appointed by Intel Teach Programme, Mrs. Thilini Hettiarachchi was also exceptionally talented and performed her duty well in a pleasant and friendly way aiming at focusing the PBS (Project Based Learning).
I am very confident that I can make changes in their attitudes by what I got as experience through this effective workshop.”
To establish ICT in Sri Lankan schools today many steps have been made so far. Under SEMP project, what have been given to the government schools is immense and ample. The government has optimistically donated CLC centres and has given IT training to fifty percent of teachers from the government sector. Today CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) has also been introduced in schools to teach other subjects. Internet, which is the fastest communication media in this world, has been given to schools to fly to other countries without a flight.
In August 2006 a well equipped computer center was received to Damahana Maha vidyalaya in Rathnapura District. This computer center was setup with the assistance provided by the Asian Development Bank, through the Secondary Educational Modernization Project (SEMP). The unit consists of twenty computers with all its accessories. After setting up of this unit the school has made vast strides in the sphere of education in general. With the use of these computers and Internet, students are able to access vital and relevant information pertaining to their general education. In school hours we use these computers as part of our normal teaching and learning process. Besides, it serves as a useful tool to source information.
During extra classes held during after-school hours students are thought how to use computers for internet exploration, English language education, and special online courses. The students have their own website and are encouraged to maintain their own blogs. As a result, now, about 180 children are blog writers.
As an appreciation of all the good work done so far, the ministry allocated 20 Intel classmate PCs to Damahana maha vidyalaya donated by Intel co-operation.
With these laptops we also received wireless internet facilities. This is the fast e-village introduced to the Sabaragamuwa Province. With the addition facility the area surrounding Damahana Maha Vidyalaya has access to WIFI technology.
Now in the world, the most common issue is INTEL TEACH Programme, which is currently in progressive in many parts of the world. In Sri Lanka Intel Teach was launched after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in October 2006 in between Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka and Intel EM Ltd – Sri Lanka Liaison Office. Through this MoU, Intel has offered Ministry of Education the services at no cost a teacher professional development program specifically designed for Sri Lanka.
The teachers who are training at the moment
We were very happy about the exertion made by INTEL EM Ltd to bring this programme to Sabaragamuwa Province. Ratnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya, which is the one and the only e-village school in Sabaragamuwa and is located about 7km away from Balangoda city.
Mr. Sepala Kuruppuarachchi(Provincial Manager of SEMP Sabaragamuwa) in the Training programme.
Mr. Alapathe IT co-odinater in Balangoda education Zone.
Mrs. Tilini Hettiarachchi (Intel Teach) conducting the training programme.
The Principal Mr. B. Somasiri of R/Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
Mr. K.M.W. Bandara of R/Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
The 3rd Intel Teach Batch in Sabaragamuwa province, with 24 teachers from 13 school in Balangoda zone have trained form 25th june 2009 to 02rd july 2009 in Rathnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya.
A.M. Fazi (Centre Manager, CLC, R/ Hindu College, Balangoda). Said
“I was very happy about the exertion made by INTEL EM Ltd to bring this programme to Sabaragamuwa Province. I also attended the ‘Intel Teach workshop’, which is currently engaged at Ratnapura Balangoda Damahana Maha Vidyalaya, which is the one and the only e-village school in Sabaragamuwa and is located about 7km away from Balangoda city. When I entered the school premises first, what I saw was unbelievable and amazing. Students were seen carrying class mate PCs looked mini laptops, which have been donated by Intel. I found differences and uniqueness in methodology and everything.
The Resource person appointed by Intel Teach Programme, Mrs. Thilini Hettiarachchi was also exceptionally talented and performed her duty well in a pleasant and friendly way aiming at focusing the PBS (Project Based Learning).
I am very confident that I can make changes in their attitudes by what I got as experience through this effective workshop.”
Oasisdamahana IT Foundation
When it comes to modern communication a major issue confronting rural areas of Sri Lanka is to do with transferring technology to those regions. It creates barriers and set backs and is a distinc.t disadvantage in matters of commerce and education. This is a quite evidence for example in Damahana, a village area which is situated in Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa province in Sri Lanka.
In an attempt to address this problem an e-village Unit was established at the Damahana public school under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education, the National ICT agencies and the of Presidential Secretariat.
An organization called the Oasis Damahana Foundation was established after consultations with parents and children in the community. All activities of e-village are carried out by and through this organization.The teacher selected to run the e-Village project in Damahana is Mr. K. M. W. Bandara, who is very diplomatic and loved by his students and respected by the community.
Students of the e-village, after receiving proper training can skillfully explore and surf the internet in a manner that benefits their education immensely. Further, they have made vast strides in improving their English language skills. Now they can work with the internet writing and maintaining Web blogs as an active unit.Around 180 children have been selected to be trained as the first team of e-village students. They are given training in ICTs and English language improvement with the support of the staff and volunteers. Some of the students have the luxury of communicating with overseas online volunteers who help the students in improving their English. Damahana eVillage has expanded its services to around 250 youth in the area to familiar themselves with computers and the Net. Around 100 parents also are given occasional training in the use of computers and surfing the Net. Catering to such a big audience is not easy and Bandara uses both school hours and after school hours, to serve those who seek knowledge. Sometimes the training sessions are held at night because the parents are free at night after work during the day. Surfing the Net has given a new experience to the community and now they are getting accustomed to its overwhelming usage in day today life.
Further the members explore things of special interest of the environment for the notification of the World. The benefits of our computer unit are enjoyed to the maximum. There is still much room for improvement. Students & villagers alike require further regular training and updating in the use of ICT and the English language.
When it comes to modern communication a major issue confronting rural areas of Sri Lanka is to do with transferring technology to those regions. It creates barriers and set backs and is a distinc.t disadvantage in matters of commerce and education. This is a quite evidence for example in Damahana, a village area which is situated in Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa province in Sri Lanka.In an attempt to address this problem an e-village Unit was established at the Damahana public school under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education, the National ICT agencies and the of Presidential Secretariat.
An organization called the Oasis Damahana Foundation was established after consultations with parents and children in the community. All activities of e-village are carried out by and through this organization.The teacher selected to run the e-Village project in Damahana is Mr. K. M. W. Bandara, who is very diplomatic and loved by his students and respected by the community.
Students of the e-village, after receiving proper training can skillfully explore and surf the internet in a manner that benefits their education immensely. Further, they have made vast strides in improving their English language skills. Now they can work with the internet writing and maintaining Web blogs as an active unit.Around 180 children have been selected to be trained as the first team of e-village students. They are given training in ICTs and English language improvement with the support of the staff and volunteers. Some of the students have the luxury of communicating with overseas online volunteers who help the students in improving their English. Damahana eVillage has expanded its services to around 250 youth in the area to familiar themselves with computers and the Net. Around 100 parents also are given occasional training in the use of computers and surfing the Net. Catering to such a big audience is not easy and Bandara uses both school hours and after school hours, to serve those who seek knowledge. Sometimes the training sessions are held at night because the parents are free at night after work during the day. Surfing the Net has given a new experience to the community and now they are getting accustomed to its overwhelming usage in day today life.
Further the members explore things of special interest of the environment for the notification of the World. The benefits of our computer unit are enjoyed to the maximum. There is still much room for improvement. Students & villagers alike require further regular training and updating in the use of ICT and the English language.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 July 2009 07:30 )