Executive Summary
Organizational Opportunity, Need, or Problem
The Rantoul Area Project (http://cscrantoul.org/rap/) aims to support the Rantoul community through neighborhood-based programs. One such endeavor is Kids Club, an after-school tutoring and childcare program for K-12 children. The director, Wendy, and several volunteers help the students with their homework and provide reinforcement activities to support their education. However, participation in Kids Club has been down among high school students, primarily because their homework requires a computer. The installation of a computer studio with 6 donated desktop PCs will support high schoolers’ homework needs and the continued digital literacy education for all of Kids Club. By using technology for educational pursuits, social activities, and play, the students will hone skills that are essential in the classroom and workplace.
Project Summary
By the end of May 2012, we will:
- deliver and set up 5 desktop computers. These computers will be refurbished with at least 2GB of RAM each, then outfitted with the Windows XP operating system and all necessary drivers. Each computer setup will include a tower, monitor, mouse, keyboard, wireless NIC, and headphones.
- select and install a bundle of open-source software, including computer security and parental control software.
- ensure that the preexisting wireless internet can support these additional machines and is secure.
- leave kid- and adult-friendly documentation for the computers and software.
- research and select useful resources for kids, teens, and adults, and display these on the browsers’ homepages.
- paint the walls, decorate the room with an engaging theme, arrange the furniture to encourage collaborative learning, and build two hutch desks.
- arrange for a website to be built, designed, and hosted for RAP, all for free. This will be available at http://cscrantoul.org/rap/ once the draft site is completed.
The Rantoul Area Project has arranged for 2 other computers to be donated as well, and we will set these up if they can be delivered before the end of the semester. RAP has also arranged for internet service for the building. We are working with RAP to ensure that our goals are aligned, that we are working on the same timeline, and that communication remains open as the project evolves and progresses.
[Posted by Robin Davis]