This past summer, nonprofit Envision Education returned to TanBo Elementary School in ZhaoQing, Guangdong to hold their first digital learning class at the computer lab they helped establish in 2023.
As a refresher, Envision's "ZhaoQing2023" project involved donating over 50 computers and setting up an entire computer lab at the rural school, which previously had no technology resources. This significant investment aimed to bridge the digital divide facing students in remote areas.
Now, almost a year later, Envision staff and volunteers visited TanBo Elementary once more. This time, their goal was to put the new lab equipment to use by teaching the students digital literacy skills.
During the class, Envision educators introduced students to basic web browsing. They showed how to navigate websites and search for pictures related to various topics. Students practiced browsing the internet to find images of things like animals, landscapes and food.
After locating pictures online, the next task was teaching students how to take screenshots of the images on their computer screens. They then learned how to save the pictures and insert them into Microsoft Word documents.
With screenshot pictures in hand, Envision facilitators guided students in using their newfound skills to write and illustrate short stories. They described narratives using details from the images they had browsed and captured.
The digital literacy class proved hugely successful in getting the students acquainted with basic computer functions. It also sparked creativity through combining internet research with storytelling. Envision plans to continue developing educational programming at the TanBo lab to continually empower students with tech-enabled learning.
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