Learning how to learn

The focus of CAL is on learning—not teaching, not bricks and mortar and not on educational structures. Students learn the Educatodos curriculum which is presented on a computer. The Grade Seven, Eight and Nine Educatodos curriculum was drawn up in Honduras with the assistance of USAID, and was digitized by CPI, and downloaded onto the hard drive of computers at CAL. Students are introduced to the computer by a student mentor, who has already learned how to learn from the computer. They study at their own pace but are encouraged to discuss what they are learning with other students. Students challenge unit examinations when they complete the units. Students who complete a grade and pass the grade examinations receive the Ministry of Education credential.

CAL’s first class photos; December 2009.

Opening day

The Centro de Ensananza Fraternidad opened on December 7, 2009 offering Grade Seven, Eight and Nine. Students ranged in age from 13 to 53. People who had given up on ever continuing their education eagerly resumed their studies. Mothers studied with their children and women who were forced to leave school due to pregnancy now could continue their schooling.

Distributed learning

Mentoring two new Grade 7 students.

It soon became clear that there were many more people who wanted to learn than could be accommodated at the Centro de Ensanaza Fraternidad, which has only 17 learning stations. The solution was to put the curriculum onto computers and take them to the students in the villages. As of April 30, 2010 there are nine satellite centers in operation. This solution to crowding addresses another problem. A big impediment to study in Honduras are transportation costs. Because there are no school buses, students must travel to larger centers by costly public transportation.

Demand

By April 30, 2010, enrolment had reached 81 students. As soon as word got out that CAL was in operation, demands started coming in from other towns and villages. A lady came from La Barca with the names of 49 eager students. Other villages, some from the neighboring province, have asked for CAL satellites. As documented by Greg Mortenson in Three Cups of Tea, the demand for education in Honduras is as strong as the demand in Pakistan or Afghanistan. There also seems to be demand for corporate training with police and firefighters inquiring about the learning possibilities at their workplaces.

			A Grade 9 student mentoring two Grade 8 students.
The CPI Board Chair cutting the graduation cake with two graduates, a mother (Grade 7) and her son (Grade 8). The mother wishes to complete Grade 9, which is the prerequisite for further schooling she wishes to pursue. The son was getting sucked into the gang scene, but sees education as a better option for his future.			Independent study.

By the numbers

Honduras: 2009 Population —7,989,415 Under 15 years of age—38% or 2,986,200 15 to 29 years—29.4% or 2,310,000 Per capita income: $827 (Canada-$20,789) Honduras ranks as the 15th worst country in the world in terms of income distribution. Honduras is the second poorest country in the Americas Honduras ranking on the Transparency International Index is 2.5 out of 10. Honduras is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. 2008 remittances to Honduras from US: $2,625,000,000 or $369 per capita. Remittances = 22% of Honduran economy. Exports = 30% CAL (Statistics as of April 30, 2010) CAL start date—December 7, 2009 Students—81: Grade 7—60, Grade 8—14, Grade 9—8 Age distribution—13 to 53 Students under 20 years—56, Students over 40—3 Students with children—19 with 47 children Students with previous computer experience—03 Gender: Females—54, males—27 Communities represented—12. Buenos Aires, El Balin, El Ciprés, El Hobo, La Barca, La Guama, Las Flores, Los Chorros, Pinolapa, San Pedro Sula, Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Subirana, Satellite centers—09 CAL computers in use—19: Private computers in use—10 Students paying tuition—0 Students on waiting list—76

Library

Because there are no books in village schools in rural Honduras, CAL will place a virtual library of 100 books onto the hard drives of computers that will be placed into the villages. Villagers, including school children, will have access to these books, which have a bias toward peaceful personal and community development.

Tuition

Because the Hondurans we want to reach are poor, CAL will charge no tuition other than requiring each student to sign a learning agreement to mentor two others in the use of the computer and learning to learn from the computer.

People

It is the policy of CPI-C to develop the human resources of our host country and therefore we wish to minimize the presence of expatriates. The Director of CAL is Bryan Butler and the Sub-director is Manuel Tabora, and they report to the CPI-H Board.