Kinderwall terminals to raise computer awareness in Armenian villages

PanARMENIAN.Net - Kinderwall experimental project and an innovative-educational solution aimed to increase children’s computer awareness will kick off on June 1.

This project is being implemented by Armenian Project Management Association (APMA).

“We plan to place 2 computer terminals in a wall of Gorayq village’s board building. There are a lot of children near there. Computers will have Internet connection, licensed Windows starter, browser, some standard programs and games. We will set cameras on terminals to see and to follow how children get to know computer themselves,” APMA president Albert Poghosyan detailed to a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

According to Mr. Poghosyan, children don’t need to be taught; they can learn something by themselves and will teach the others.

“This is the goal of Kinderwall. If you give a computer to elder people, they will choose a language they prefer for using it. Children, on the contrary, will get to know computer without knowing the language. Kinderwall is a social-cultural and innovative idea, idea of alternative education which we want to develop,” he said.

“We placed different filters so children can’t use emails, chats, social networks, porn websites and other stuff which can cause dependence,” Mr. Poghosyan said, adding that upon completion of the project they will prepare a research-report on the efficiency of the project.

Terminals have touchscreens and iron keyboards and will work 24 hours. Up to 2 Megabit internet connection will be provided by VivaCell-MTS. Financial sponsor of the project is Geoteam company, which used to implement other social projects in Gorayq village before. The company allocated AMD 2.5 million for Kinderwall project.

Before launching the project targeting children aged 6-12, APMA will have conduct seminars for the parents to introduce the aim and details.

“If they will achieve good results, APMA will seek assistance for funding Kinderwall project for 150 village in Armenia during next 3 years.

Kinderwall project also has a website - kinderwall.am.

Kinderwall idea belongs to Indian doctor Mitra. According to his calculation, if Kinderwall is set in different cities of India, about 500 million children will have basic computer knowledge in 5 years.