Promoting ICT amongst youngsters

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Promoting ICT amongst youngsters - My thoughts
and experiences
Ajay Puri
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How I started in Computers?
At the age of 9 months my grandfather taught me
how to type alphabets on computer. This was just
the beginning of my entry into software arena and
lead me to where I am today . I very much feel
that Grandparents and parents have lot of
influence on childrens future.
Experiences
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How I got interested in Computers?
A number of educational CDs with entertainment
based learning kept me interested. E.g. Jump
Start I was permitted to play with a number of
gadgets by my family irrespective of my tender
age (hands on learning). e.g. printers, scanners,
computer, video My elders spent hours with me
patiently at what I did, which I feel was not
very interesting for them.
Experiences
Gadgets that I was allowed to use at 2 years of
age as toys
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I was inspired by the love I got
Experiences
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How Other Kids Can be better than Me ???

• Guidance Encouragement
• Infrastructure
• Hard Work
• Lots of Blessings

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My Journey
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Computer should lead school education
When I get my school assignment, I search the
Internet and am able to learn much more than what
the assignment required? e.g. One night my father
and uncle were discussing about Prophecies of
Nostradamus, I got up the next morning and
searched the Internet. I was surprised to find
that he has predicted World War III.
Thoughts
I feel, age is not a barrier to learning. e.g. My
father while carrying out his MBA studies asked
me to get some information about Dreamworks and
Pixar Studio merging. I was happy to be able to
find information that even I understood.
Once I suggested Microsoft to develop some
products like MS- Office for use by kids. I dont
say that the present Office is beyond kids but I
feel the product should be so attractive that
every kid is interested.
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Media Based Learning
CHILDREN MASTER COMPUTER SKILLS AT A VERY EARLY
STAGE AND OFTEN BETTER THAN ELDERS !!
WE NEED MEDIA BASED LEARNING AND MUCH LESS CLASS
ROOM OR BUILDING BASED EDUCATION. ICT IS THE
ONLY MEANS TO REACH THIS GOAL
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TODAY CHILDREN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF HIGH- TECH
AS THEIR MOTHER TONGUE WHERE AS OLDER PEOPLE ARE
IMMIGRANTS IN THE LAND OF IT TECHNOLOGY. SO THE
ICT TORCH MUST BE IN THE HANDS OF YOUNGSTERS.
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YOUNGSTERS ARE SERVING AS HELPDESK FOR THE
COMMUNITY THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF ICT
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I felt sad
When I visited schools and saw that the computer
tools used were outdated or slow. I get very
impatient when the speed of internet is slow even
though I am very lucky.
When I see that some of the parents feel that the
electronic equipments are too expensive to be
given to kids
Thoughts
Some of the softwares are very boring and my
father tells me it is very expensive
Some of the students that I was placed with in
India were very talented in other fields, may be
even better than me but did not receive the
recognition that I was lucky to have.
I appeal Please create opportunities for them
as well, create platforms / organisations that
recognize them
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I have and will always remain committed to the
cause of spreading ICT education . I am a
learner myself , but would love to share my
knowledge with fellow kids .
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I will always seek your blessings and good wishes
to achieve greater heights.
web site http//www.microsoftkid.com Email
ajay_at_microsoftkid.com