Dubai Women’s College (DWC) Diploma students recently launched their Family Computer School (FCS) project in an effort to enhance computer literacy among women in the local community. DWC took this opportunity to encourage students to practice the future and serve the community.
Part of DWC’s project based leaning, FCS, ran for the third time following its success in the last 2 years. The project was entirely organized, planned, and designed by DWC Diploma students and consisted of a carefully tailored school program that aimed at training female members of society including families, relatives, and friends.
Sana Daoud, DWC Faculty said “DWC focuses on applied and project–based learning, supported by high technology. Students learn skills in the classroom that benefit them directly in the work place. This year, FCS received 112 female participants, who attended 4 weeks of training. According to participants’ feedback, the trainers exhibited a high level of professionalism, patience and respect. The trainers were also praised for the methods and techniques of teaching and their willingness to devote extra time to help the participants practice the needed skills.”
The training included basic levels of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Internet, Outlook, Movie Maker and Photoshop. The preparation for the FCS started in September, involving students throughout 2 semesters. Each student contributed to the project by searching and registering the participants, delivering the course, managing classes and leading the entire preparation logistics.
Ayesha Al Marzouqi, whose mother joined the FCS, said “I think the Family Computer School is one of the most important projects we did in the last 3 years, because it gives us the opportunity to help other women learn how to use Microsoft Office and other IT programs. I asked my mother to join the FCS to learn some of the IT skills that I and my sister have learned in DWC. I wanted her to develop her technology skills so that she can teach my other little brothers and sisters, and can also use the Internet and other computer applications better. “
“During the first week of training she found some difficulties, as it was her first time to use the computer. My colleagues have been very patient with her and with the other computer beginners. They have used both, Arabic and English in the training to help participant understand. They also lent them their laptops to apply what they learned. In the second week of the training, I could see that my mother understood the main points in all the introduced lessons and she is practicing them at home,” Ayesha added.
Mrs. Marzouqi, on completing the course commented that she was very happy with the training and was wondering why she hadn’t done it before. She used to think that she would never learn anything new again. She said “Now, with my daughter and her colleagues’ efforts in the College, I am learning and will strive to take more IT courses and achieve new IT certificates. “
