|
The City launches a project bringing the world of new technology to the local community of Orange Farm.
A world of new technology has been opened up at a local community centre in Orange Farm, and it stands to benefit residents who until now have lacked access to computers and digitised information.
The initiative, known as the Digital Doorway project, was launched by the City of Johannesburg and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the Orange Farm Community Centre on Wednesday 8 July.
The mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, inspects the equipment
“The aim of the Digital Doorway is to promote computer and information literacy in communities which lack access to computers,” said Alfred Mahlangu, a research scientist at the CSIR.
The project, essentially, is a combination of computers and software that allows users to easily access information from a range of sources.
Digital Doorway’s content includes educational games and programmes, 10 000 books uploaded on to computer, a snapshot of Wikipedia, health-related material, curriculum-based educational videos, interactive science simulations and a host of other applications.
“The robust and rugged multi terminals are available 24 hours a day, where possible,” said Mahlangu, adding that this could have an enormous impact on developing communication in the Orange Farm community.
“We have loaded interactive road safety and education material for community members to learn through practice. Members can also report [the sighting of] potholes and malfunctioning traffic lights to the authorities,” he said.
The Digital Doorway has been built on a theory that was developed in India, which maintains that young pupils have the capacity to learn basic computer skills with minimal intervention and no formal training.
“I see great potential for the Digital Doorway in helping communities overcome the digital divide,” said Mahlangu.
Joburg’s mayoral committee member for transportation Rehana Moosajee said the project will help improve computer awareness and literacy, enable end users to interact with technology on their own terms and boost learning within communities.
“The main objective of the Digital Doorway is to encourage people to experiment and learn without formal training,” said Moosajee.
No-nonsense design
The computer stations, worth about R75 000, are made to withstand the rigours of climate, enthusiastic use and vandalism.
Units have a modular, ergonomic design that allows for easy reconfiguration and assembling.
Each station consists of a free-standing multimedia computer terminal with a keyboard and a touchpad embedded in a robust kiosk.
Units are equipped with a satellite receiver and general packet radio service (GPRS) technology for updating content, real-time monitoring and user feedback. A specially developed weatherproof structure protects the GPRS antenna from damage without affecting the signal.
Orange Farm resident Mampe Sello is excited about the project. She said the Digital Doorway was a step forward in empowering community members with very necessary computer skills. “I have never studied computers before and I hope to learn more … I believe the project will benefit us all,” Sello said.
The Digital Doorway was first launched in the rural area of Cwili, in the Eastern Cape, five years ago. The pilot project was so successful that additional units were set up throughout the country.
Since then users have indicated a high level of satisfaction, with both the facility and content.
Related stories:
|
