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projects:
internet training and education |
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project
description |
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The number of computers in Pabal is increasing quickly. In addition to a computer lab with internet access at Vigyan Ashram, there is also a new computer lab with internet access slightly closer to the village. However, there are a number of barriers that make it difficult for villagers to take advantage of these opportunities.
First, both locations charge a small fee, so villagers feel that there time at the internet stations needs to be meaningful to make it worth the cost. Most villagers do not know how the using the internet could benefit or be useful to them. Most are also not aware of how to use the internet, set up email, use search engines, etc. A successful project would need to address both of these issues:
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Explain how could the internet be useful to rural villagers in Pabal, India, and
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Provide training on how to use computers and the internet
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utility
of the solution |
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The local community could use training materials and suggestions how to utilize the internet at the two internet access points in the village. This would allow them to make better use of these resources. |
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economic
benefits / required training / major
impacts |
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Helping the community to understand how to use the internet as well as providing specific ways that the internet could be used to their benefit has the potential to provide economic benefit in a number of ways. Part of this project is for the student to identify these possibilities.
Training of the local community, if necessary, could be provided by Vigyan Ashram. However, training materials should be as simple and self-explanatory as possible to allow students to be able to use it by working with it themselves rather than by undergoing extensive training. |
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description
of current local situation & resources |
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Most computers in the village are Pentium 3 or Pentium 4 processors, with CD-ROM, speakers, 128 Mb RAM (minimum), Windows 98 or higher, 1.5 GHz processing speed (minimum), and a reasonably large hard drive (about 30 Gb). The internet costs about 30 rupees per hour or 3000 Rupees a month for an unlimited connection. However, costs may change with time, so the cost to villagers at the Vigyan Ashram or Community Internet Hub may differ. Also, students should note that electricity is unreliable and it is not uncommon for the internet to be disabled or computers not functioning properly. |
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