New Technology, New Possibilities: GLXi in the Classroom
Every morning, with the press of a button, Rosalío Socorec opens a new world of possibilities for his students.
With the glow of the projector reflecting off their eager faces, the children proceed together through what is showing on the screen at the front of the classroom.
One morning it might be reading a book as a class. Another day it might be various fun but educational activities: letter recognition, reading comprehension or vocabulary building, for example.
“They have fun and enjoy it a lot,” says Socorec, a teacher at the Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta Centro América Jornada Vespertina in Santiago Sacatepquez.
This type of learning is considered a rare treat in Guatemala, where many classrooms lack technology. The Ministry of Education is unable to provide it, or most of the books that fuel the learning activities.
Teacher Rosalío Socorec shows off the technology kit he received after graduating from GLXi’s training program
But that’s where Global Learning Exchange Initiative (GLXi) has stepped in, responding to a need that is hard for many of us in the United States to fathom.
Every year as part of its Open Books, Open Minds program, GLXi sends a technology kit to graduating teachers to use in their classrooms.
In past years, one technological device was sent per school, which was shared by up to four teachers.
This year, for the first time, almost every one of the 45 graduating teachers got their own device. In schools where there are larger groups of graduating teachers, some devices are being shared. With vigorous funding efforts, GLXi hopes to fill the gaps so that each graduating teacher receives their own technology kit.
In all, 22 schools and 1,503 students are benefiting from the technology.
“In Guatemala, teachers often lack technological tools, which presents a significant barrier to the teaching process,” says Jaime Vielman, GLXi’s Executive Director in Guatemala. “Having these resources will greatly assist them in enhancing their classes, particularly in the area of reading.”
A Gift of Technology
The effort to deliver the gift of technology to participating teachers began last month, as supplies started to pour in and were lovingly packaged together by GLXi’s Guatemalan team.
GLXi’s technology kits were packaged and shipped to 45 teachers, 20 schools and 1,393 students
Each package included:
473 digital books
1 Chromebook
1 Chromebook charger
1 HDMI adapter (if needed)
1 projector
1 remote control
1 laser pointer
OBOM graduation certificate and additional program certificates
“With the GLXi materials, we have been able to teach the children better,” says Socorec, one of the teachers who received a kit. “I am very grateful for the effort made to provide us with this.”
The 40 chromebooks were donated by the Forsyth School in St. Louis, Missouri. The projectors were purchased with $15,507 in GLXi program funds.
“This purchase would not be possible without the support of generous donors,” says Ana Schulz, GLXi’s Executive Director in the United States. “All that we are able to accomplish for the young students we serve comes from the generosity of individual donors and grant funders. We know we cannot ever thank them enough, but we hope they can gain satisfaction from GLXi's work in action.”
Thank you for your support!
Socorec says he feels grateful to the GLXi training program for all the help with materials, books, and, above all, new knowledge to apply in his classroom.
He said no one had ever shown this level of concern for teachers before, let alone for the children and their reading levels.
When school started this year, for the first time in his 10 years of teaching, he felt fully prepared.
“It is a great opportunity for us, and the children will be happy and able to learn so much thanks to this,” he says.
You also can help Global Learning Exchange Initiative’s work to promote literacy in Guatemala. Donate to GLXi here.
