IBM supports Rotary Clubs, government, and academe for literacy program | Hot Off The Press | Techie.com.ph
7:04 PM | Wednesday | 08 September 2010

Every Reader a Leader is a school-based structured program designed to improve reading comprehension skills among elementary students by leveraging information technology (IT). It was jointly established by the Rotary Clubs of District 3830, Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Taguig-Pateros Division of City Schools and Asia Pacific Computer Technology Center (APC Center). It has a monitoring component which tracks the progress of intended beneficiaries (Grade two to three students) as they go through the course. For best results, students are encouraged to go through the program for a minimum of one year.

IBM Philippines will provide supplementary software called Reading Companion in support of this program. Reading Companion uses innovative web-based, speech-recognition technology developed by IBM researchers in partnership with teachers in IBM partner schools and not-for-profit organizations. Readers wear a headset microphone connected to a computer, and then select an e-book from the virtual library. As they read the book aloud, the software "listens" to their pronunciation and accuracy, and provides them with immediate feedback. In addition, participants are given a special ID and password that makes Reading Companion available to them on the Web, enabling them to continue lessons wherever and whenever they can access a computer.

Reading Companion represents a decade of investment by IBM, which is committed to improving the literacy skills of children and adults around the world.

Rotary International's commitment to learning

Since 1985, Rotary International has advocated basic literacy as precondition to peace. With such an organizational emphasis, Rotary is a global mover in the area of literacy and education through the key projects of its 33,000 Rotary Clubs (& growing) in the areas of primary, vocational and adult literacy.

The Rotary Clubs of District 3830 will sponsor recommended literary books, computers and enrollment of students from beneficiary schools within Metro Manila covering the areas of Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Las Pinas, Paranaque and Muntinlupa. The selection was in mutual agreement with CEAP and the Taguig-Pateros Division of City Schools. At the cost Php50.00 per student per year, students will gain access to a web-enabled diagnostic and comprehension improving facility for reading.

Experts from the APC Center and Rotary Clubs will conduct demonstration of the program for end-users. There will also be a training and orientation modules for teachers, parents and Rotarians as well.

By engaging in education and literacy initiatives such as the Every Reader a Leader program, Rotarians go beyond establishing the preconditions for peace. Indeed, Rotary then becomes a vital force in nation-building because we enable empowerment, harnesses technology and improve the quality of life of people through their literacy projects.

"The Every Reader a Leader Program is a stellar example of how Rotary International carriers out its mission of rendering humanitarian service and goodwill. We're very much grateful that IBM Philippines is helping us in our cause. This is wonderful synergy for the common good at work," says Isidro Garcia, District Governor, Rotary International District 3830.

KidSmart an early start

In addition to Reading Companion, IBM will also donate three KidSmart Early Learning Programs, a console-based educational system, as incentives for top three classes with the most significant improvement in reading comprehension after one year of participation. KidSmart is a comprehensive IBM early learning program that provides educational activities consistent with goals of early childhood education.

To date, IBM has donated over 170 KidSmart units to around 160 institutions including public schools, museums, science centrums and day care centers as part of the company's corporate citizenship initiatives. The company has earlier committed to adopt at least 40 affected schools in the National Capital Region and Northern Luzon, through donations of its KidSmart program in response to the Department of Education's call for assistance to help public schools in the aftermath of the recent typhoons.

"IBM has a deep commitment to the communities in which we live and work. At the root of this commitment is the fundamental belief that people from every racial, ethnic, social, and economic background must be provided with the best opportunities to learn and succeed and become productive members of society," IBM Philippines country general manager James Velasquez said.

APC Center will provide, implement and manage "Star Reading and Accelerated Reading," the IT-system to be used for the program. The center is also responsible for the progress and monitoring reports of sponsoring rotary clubs, as it functions as the nerve center and repository of records for future assessment of the project and its beneficiaries.