Report on My Experience as a Mentor in the Computer Field

Guest Post by Bipin Maharjan

Introduction

On April 21, 2024, I embarked on a journey as a mentor in the computer field, guiding students who have recently completed their Secondary Education Examination (SEE). This training was provided by the Rukmini Foundation as part of the Digital Education Empowerment Program (DEEP). I was informed about this program by Roshani Balami, the Chief Technology Officer for the foundation. My primary responsibility involved sharing knowledge that I have gained in the field of programming and other basic productivity software. These have been my experiences, challenges, and successes over the past month teaching and learning.

Personal Background with the Rukmini Foundation

My journey with the Rukmini Foundation began in 2017 when I was an 11th grade student at Arunodaya Secondary School. Students from grades 10, 11, and 12 in the science field were invited to participate in a selection process to form a team for the Robotics Olympics. After four days of rigorous activities, I was selected as one of the 6 members of the Rukubot team.

Under the mentorship of the foundation team, I gained invaluable knowledge in robotics and technical skills. Additionally, I developed crucial teamwork, communication, and collaboration skills. This experience culminated in participating in the 2017 Robotics Olympics held in June 2017 in Washington, DC, USA. It was a wonderful experience that not only honed my technical skills but also ignited my passion for learning more in the IT field.

Packages and Interview

As part of our course design for DEEP, we offered two distinct packages: the Office Package and the Programming Package. To determine the students’ interests, conditions, and knowledge in the computer field, we conducted initial interviews. Approximately 90 students participated in these interviews. Where they were asked about their regular availability, locations, and other relevant information. Based on their responses, we divided the students according to their selected packages and school names to facilitate mutual assistance among classmates and improve communication.

After completing the interviews, we held an orientation program. During this session, we discussed the course details and syllabus to provide a clear overview of what the students could expect.

Curriculum and Methodology 

Introduction to Computers: Initially, we familiarize students with laptops and their components. We provided instruction on internet usage, Gmail, Google Drive, and their settings.

Office Package (Word Processing): We started with Microsoft Word, focused on text formatting, page layout, and document creation. Students learned to create professional documents such as resumes and reports.

Programming Package (HTML, CSS): HTML: Our initial focus was on the structures of web pages. Students learned about tags, elements, and attributes. Practical exercises included creating simple web pages with sections such as Home, About, Contact, Experience, and Blog.

CSS: Currently, we are progressing through CSS, which is crucial for styling web pages. Topics covered included selectors and basic properties.

Student Engagement and Progress

• Enthusiasm and Learning Basics

• Students exhibited significant enthusiasm and quickly mastered the fundamental concepts.
• Effective Methods of hands-on activities and real-life scenarios

• Impact: These methods maintained students’ interest and enhanced their understanding of the material.

• Command of Tools

• Most students demonstrated a good command of the tools taught as they are going well in assigned tasks.

• Supporting Classes
• Additional classes provided support and growth:
• Motivational Classes: Helped boost students’ confidence.
• Skills Development Classes: Enhanced their ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Refreshment programs were instrumental in keeping students energized which helped maintain their focus and engagement in other learning activities.

Overall, students have shown remarkable progress due to a combination of engaging teaching methods, supportive classes, and refreshment programs. The holistic approach not only improved their technical skills but also contributed to their personal development and overall well-being.

Challenges and Solutions

Diverse Learning Paces: Students have varied levels of prior knowledge and learning speeds. To address this, I implemented a differentiated instruction approach, offering additional resources and one-on-one support for those who needed it.

Technical Difficulties: Frequent power cuts were affecting the availability of charged laptops. Some laptops require a constant power supply and some others need regular charging, which was disrupted during power outages. It hindered students’ ability to practice and engage with the course material consistently. Having an enhanced power backup solution could solve this problem. Something simple as lack of electricity can impact a student’s ability to have access to technology.

Achievements and Reflections: Reflecting on the past month, I am pleased with the progress the students have made. Their ability to create documents and basic web pages in such a short time is commendable. The interactive teaching methods and practical assignments have proven effective in maintaining high levels of engagement and learning.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, I aim to:

• Continue fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Introduce more complex projects as students’ skills advance.
• Implement regular feedback sessions to monitor and support student progress.

Conclusion

I am very thankful to the Rukmini Foundation for giving me this opportunity and trusting in my abilities. My experience over the past month as a mentor under the Rukmini Foundation’s DEEP program has been both challenging and rewarding. It taught me how to be better prepared, how to express ideas clearly, and provide information to students effectively. 

The students’ enthusiasm and progress are a testament to the effectiveness of the curriculum and teaching methods. I am excited about the upcoming modules that will help the students continue to thrive and develop their skills further. I look forward to continuing this journey and contributing to the empowerment and progress of these young minds.