Hole in the wall!

This post is in response to an article shared in TSL 641 Yahoo Group. Click here to read more about the article.

Basically, the article is about an experiment carried out in 17 locations all over India whereby 48 computers have been placed in urban slum and rural locations. The children at these areas could actually access to the computer and gain the experiences of operating the computer.

Dr Sugata Mitra with the "hole in the wall"

Children take turns in using the computers without assistance

Children are always curious about everything in life. When they explore, they learn something new. These children at the urban slum and rural areas does not have the opportunity to learn computer in a formal classroom settings. However, when they were given the opportunity to handle a computer, surprisingly, they did well. It only took them 9 months to learn how to use the computers well.

This actually proves to everyone that we can learn something better when we are curious and interested about something. They don't need teachers to teach them on how to operate the computers as long as there is easy access to the computer. This self-learning method benefits the learners and enables them to explore the world.

I don't quite remember my first encounter with the computer but I am pretty sure that I started at an early age. I remember having electronic typewriter first at home where I explored it myself, and then the computer. My siblings and I were curious about playing games on the computer. So, we took turns to spend time on the computer. This had somehow taught me a lot about self-learning. Besides, we did not get any help from our parents, except when something goes wrong with the computer! I guess I am just one of those lucky kids at that time who got access to a computer at home. However, during computer classes in school, I did not have the opportunity to explore much since there were only a few computers in the lab and teachers would surely ask students to give chance to those who have never handle a computer.

Children should be given the opportunities to explore and learn new things because only by self-exploration, they will be able to be better and learn a lot.

Everyone should be given the opportunity to explore things

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