The Transformative Impact of Digital Literacy Workshops
24/2/23, 10:00 pm
Explore the significant positive effects of digital literacy workshops, particularly for underprivileged children. This article delves into how these workshops help bridge the digital divide and prepare young learners for the future.
Link to Article: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/digital-literacy-workshops-ensure-underprivileged-children-do-not-get-left-behind
On most days, Tan Shi Rou, 11, does not have much time to learn using digital devices as she has to share a laptop with her sister, so she treasures going to workshops to use technology to learn about her favourite animal - the penguin.
The Primary 5 student has attended four sessions of the Void Deck Technology Lab digital literacy workshop at Nanyang Community Club. Shi Rou, daughter to a taxi driver and a restaurant waitress, looks forward to the fortnightly lessons.
Children like Shi Rou get the chance to build up their digital skills at these workshops by trying their hand at new technology such as augmented reality. Volunteer teaching staff cover science and technology lessons with the children.
The sessions are targeted at underprivileged children between the ages of seven and 12 largely living in rental flats, in efforts to equip them with skills needed for the digital economy.
The workshop is hosted by Byte.sg, a non-profit initiative, and supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority's Digital for Life Fund, which was launched by President Halimah Yacob last year.
Sixteen upper primary pupils participated in the workshop at Nanyang Community Club in Jurong West on Thursday night (Feb 24).
Parliamentary Secretary for Communications and Information Rahayu Mahzam visited the workshop and pressed the importance of building a digitally inclusive society.