Class allows students to build own computer, take it home: DELAND -- It's called the "Make It - Take It™" class and that's exactly what several Spring Hill area middle school and high school students will do. Make it and take it home. But the "it" in this instance is a computer. The youths will assemble it themselves, get it working, then take their own computer home to use. "Make It - Take It™" is designed to get economically disadvantaged youngsters going on the Information Superhighway. It's a partnership between Stetson University and the Spring Hill community. Rob Davidson, Stetson's desktop computing technology coordinator, is teaching the class. It meets four days a week at the Chisholm Center in Southwest DeLand. Davidson said the class, which graduates today, is part of the Institute for the Study of Digital Inclusion at Stetson. Being connected digitally -- having the ability to use computers -- is vital to today's education, Davidson said. Computers also give people the skills needed to get ahead in today's society, he explained. Yet, educators have noticed there is a "digital divide." While middle-class families usually have computers, economically disadvantaged people often do not.
"Each year, being digitally connected becomes ever more critical to educational, economic and social advancement," Davidson said. But, many disadvantaged students don't have access to computers except for computers in schools and libraries. This class, however, will change that for 15 students. Stetson has donated 15 used computers for the class's students. Upon graduating from the program, the students will get to take their computers home and keep them. Davidson said "Make It - Take It™" gives students a friendly, hands-on learning environment where they work with computers. The students have learned to use word processing, spreadsheets and computer presentation software. "We tried to teach useful skills," Davidson said. "For instance, with Microsoft Word, we didn't just show them how to write a letter. We taught them how to create a resume." Using PowerPoint, the presentation software, students were given a real-world assignment. "We told them to imagine you own a company and this is your product," Davidson said. "Now, create a marketing program for your product."
Kendall Adams, 13, an eighth-grader at Southwestern Middle School, used a Gateway 2000 computer in the class. "I already took it apart and put it back together," Kendall said. "We booted 'em up yesterday." Kendall's mother, Tanika Joice, said her son helped some other students, too. "He seems to really enjoy it," she said.  Several people in the Stetson community are behind this project. Dr. Shahram Amiri, vice president for information technology, heads The Institute for the Study of Digital Inclusion. "Make It - Take It™" was founded by Jim Snyder, director of enterprise technology initiatives and Dr. Joe Moore, senior research associate. Also, Davidson said, people throughout the DeLand community, are helping. Paulette Smith of The House Next Door social service agency assisted in efforts to select students for the class. Davidson said Stetson plans to continue "Make It - Take It™" with a new set of students in January. A second site for the class is planned for the House Next Door's Voorhis Avenue location.  CLICK HERE to learn more about the Make It - Take It™ program... Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 Author: LYNN BULMAHN - lynn.bulmahn@news-jrnl.com <<< Return to Previous Page