Technology is a forever changing and improving resource, many difficulties can be faced when learning to use technology. Especially if when you are learning there are a multitude of other things needed to be learnt or completed simultaneously, that is why it is so important to get laptops for the students in the program so that they can learn how to use technology and more easily adapt as it continues to develop.

There no longer is a world where technology is not weaved throughout the practices of life. Without the students having ever had previous continuous access to laptops this is an entirely new and exciting experience for them. We aim to teach them the basics of using technology and how to use it safely. There is a lot of speculation about giving children technology but ultimately they are never going to live in a world where technology is not being used. The best practice is to teach them ahead of time how to be safe and considerate when using technology and being online. The online world is a scary place that is filled with many unknowns but so is the real world, however, sheltering and restricting children’s online movements only makes them unprepared and unequipped to handle unexpected situations. The best thing we can do to help students become well rounded individuals is prepare them best we can and put as many tools into their tool belts as possible. Equipping them to handle situations and behave responsibly online.

The students have begun to use the laptops, starting with learning to type and how to take care of the laptops. As the program progresses students will learn how to use essential working tools such as powerpoint and word. They will also be able to express their creativity digitally, using applications like paint or canva. We hope that having access to this tool will help their personal growth in getting to know themselves and what is best for them.