Techology is an important part of learning

TORONTO – EDUCATION – Back-to-school is an exciting time for One laptop per Child (OLPC) Canada, as Aboriginal youth return to technology equipped classrooms and new educational programs join the OLPC network. This year, more than 300 additional Aboriginal youth in Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut have benefited from technology in the classroom due to the efforts of high school students from the Greater Toronto Area.

Fundraising to Put Technology in the Hands of Students

In the spring of 2014, the Aboriginal Youth Partnership (AYP) of York Region and the Free the Children Council at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School both lead various fundraising efforts to help bridge the digital divide for Aboriginal youth through OLPC Canada. AYP is a youth based, community organization that spreads awareness in the York Region about Aboriginal issues. This year they hosted a community event at Castlemore Public School, which included educational and interactive booths that focused on First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions.

Through their event AYP was able to raise $3,400 for OLPC Canada, while helping to further educate their school and community about Aboriginal culture, history and current-events. Students at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School, through a Free the Children council, hosted an Electronic Waste Event with a goal of collecting 25,000lbs of e-waste. Three bins were filled with over 10 tons of electronics, and over $1,400 was donated to provide technology to Aboriginal youth. Additional support was provided to OLPC Canada this summer by GED students from Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, who donated their time to prepare tablets for distribution to remote communities.

School administrators have expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for this investment in their institutions. “We would like to thank those responsible for the generous gift of the tablets. As we move towards a more electronic age of learning, the students are becoming much more adept and skilled with technology. These tablets will help to keep these students engaged with resources with which they are familiar. This “engagement” was shown profoundly after the tablets were delivered to our students.

They were in awe at how many programs were on the tablets that related to academics-but were also fun and exciting. One student said….”It is like Christmas in July!!”.

“Thanks so much for thinking of our students…..we will definitely put these to good use as we try to shape tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jay MacJanet, Principal, OCT, Dewitt Carter Public School

One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Canada enhances education for Aboriginal youth with technological tools designed for creative, innovative, self-empowered learning.

For more information, or to register your student group to help provide technology to Aboriginal youth across Canada, please contact Rachel Ward, Manager, Stakeholder Relations, at rward@olpccanada.com or 416-642-5455. www.olpccanada.com