The University of Central Punjab hosted a
pilot project for "ilmpossible Online" this August. Ilmpossible
Online is a Nationwide Social Action Campaign on education introducing
e-learning solutions to fight the problem of illiteracy in Pakistan.
A small workshop from August 7, 2012 to August
16, 2012 conducted in one of the IT Labs of UCP. Children aged 9 to 13, from
the nearby slums with particularly weak economic background were taught to use
computers as an e-learning tool. The purpose of the workshop was to trace the
effects of introducing technology to subjects with little or no prior knowledge
of computers.
Headed by Prof. Aasma Farhad, the Adjunct
Faculty Member at FMS UCP, the workshop also engaged dedicated UCP students
volunteering to teach these children use online educational material. Prof.
Aasma Farhad is also a Steering Committee Member of "ilmpossible", a
National Social Action Project working on the general awareness of the Right to
Education and providing solutions to fight illiteracy in Pakistan. "Almost
every education system in the world is in the phase of reformation" says
the Professor, "and we are trying to do the same. I am grateful to the
University's management for their encouragement and cooperation. It is
with the support of such likeminded organizations that we may be able to
replace the banal system of education with innovation and technology".
Students attending the workshop were taught to
take help from Google search engine and Google translator to compliment their
studies. They were also introduced to online educational games and videos.
"Children surprised us with their ability to cope with technology"
observed Sadeed, volunteering for this project, "they ran where we taught
them baby steps". Kids found these games quite engaging. "I never
knew" confessed Hamza, "learning could be fun too".