13th October 2010 was chosen as the day to hold
the inaugural seminar of the CSE Outreach – the rural school IT seminar series.
The Venue was Rasnayakapura Navodya Central Collage – Nikaweratiya. Nine
students from CSE ’10 batch gathered near the front gate of UoM at 4.00am to
start their journey to Rasnayakapura. Suneth Vijayindu – the co-chair of the
project, Madhushi Bandara – the school coordinator, along with Vidudaya
Bandara, Rashmi Woranga, Supun Nakandala, Akila Pemasiri, Pubudu Gunatilaka,
Udith Arosha and Meuru Muthuthanthri were the people who had the privilege of
conducting the first seminar.
We arrived at Rasnayakapura Navodya Madya Maha Vidyalaya at 8.20am. The principal of the Rasnayakapura Navodya MMV and the divisional IT teaching consultant Mr. Jayasooriya warmly welcomed us to the school. After having tea at the school, we set up the projector and sounds with the help of friendly prefect brothers. Then talking with the divisional IT teaching consultant we came to know that though many schools in the area had computer labs of small scale, the students haven’t realized the value of learning IT or using the facilities provided. Therefore most of the computers remain unused and the school administration had to bear the maintenance cost, even without having a proper usage. So, he requested us to awaken interest on IT among students participating to the seminar.
Due to the transportation problems of students we had to wait until 9.00am to start seminar. Students from Kotawehera had to come past an area with a threat of elephant attacks. They came for the seminar despite such difficulties and we were more than glad to share our knowledge and experience with them.
Nearly 150 students participated from 3 schools. Them being;
• Rasnayakapura Navodya Madya Maha Vidyalaya
• Abukkagama Muslim Maha Vidyalaya
• Kotawehera Madya Maha vidyalaya
The seminar started in the presence of the Principal of Rasnayakapura Navodya MMV, divisional IT teaching consultant and ICT teachers from the said schools. After the welcome speech by the Principal of Rasnayakapura Navodya MMV and the introduction of the program by the divisional IT teaching consultant, the handouts were distributed.
Madhushi and Vidudaya conducted the ‘Introduction to IT’ session which was followed by the ‘Introduction to computer Hardware’ session by Pubudu. Meuru conducted the ice breaking sessions and then Madhushi started the ‘Introduction to Word’ session. After that a 15min break was given for tea.
After the break Akila and Supun conducted the ‘Introduction to PowerPoint’ session which was followed by an ‘Internet’ session by Vijayindu. Udith then did the ‘Introduction to Excel’ session. The last and the most important session, ‘IT Career Guidance’ was done by Rashmi. Finally the Principal and Mr. Jayasooriya thanked us by marking the end of the seminar.
Then we had the lunch at the school and we departed from Rasnayakapura at 2.00pm.
This would not be a success if it weren’t for the support we got from director and assistant director of Divisional Educational Office of Nikaweratiya, Mr.Jayasooriya , the divisional IT teaching consultant, Principle and the friendly staff of Rasnayakapura Navodya M.M.V. and all other teachers of the schools and last but not least, the academic and non-academic staff of CSE UoM and CS&ES.
We finished the first seminar of CSE Outreach with the determination of continuing the project throughout the country sharing IT knowledge and inspiring more and more young minds.