Waveplace Mentors

For three years, Waveplace mentors have taught
children and adults throughout Haiti and the Caribbean.

This summer, help us reach the world.





Space still available for the:

Waveplace Mentor Workshop
May 24th to June 2nd, 2010
St John, US Virgin Islands

Airfare, food, and $500 gets you
lodging and training for ten days.
Just steps from the beach.

You may also attend the concurrent four day
OLPC Realness Summit (May 28-31), with
speakers from five continents and the Caribbean
with deep experience using OLPC XOs with children.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT: http://realness.org

SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
May 23rd – June 2nd and beyond

Learn to use and teach the One Laptop per Child XO laptop and Squeak Etoys
-then-
Explore opportunities to travel the Caribbean and the world to develop laptop pilots

Contact: Beth Santos, Outreach Coordinator, 610-797-3100 x44

Interested in international development, community informatics or education? Ever heard of the “$100 laptop”? Still haven't found the right thing to do this summer? Come join a revolution in the making.

Waveplace is an organization that works to bring digital media skills to children in the Caribbean. We primarily use the ultra-durable, energy-efficient laptop computers created by One Laptop per Child (OLPC) to teach mentors a programming software called Etoys, which can be used as a supplement in or outside of the classroom. By training local mentors that in turn teach students, Waveplace hopes to nurture the creativity, initiative, and responsibility of children from a young age so that they can strengthen their problem-solving skills and, in adulthood, apply them to improve their country and their world.

From May 23 – June 2nd, Waveplace will be conducting a mentor training workshop at Maho Bay Camps, St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Concurrent the workshop will be the first ever OLPC Realness Summit, an opportunity for members of OLPC deployments around the world to discuss successes and challenges and brainstorm solutions together. Both local and international mentors will be trained in Etoys, as well as pedagogical strategies recommended by Waveplace. Come be trained with our mentors and get the skills that will allow you to travel with Waveplace and help develop laptop programs in the Caribbean region, including Haiti, Nicaragua, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other locations.

Intern Duties: Attend morning and afternoon sessions (where mentors and children will be trained) as well as special evening breakdown sessions for interns (to build skills required for a coordinating or “super mentor” position with Waveplace). Blogging and program development as necessary.

Intern Requirements: An interest in technology, education and/or international development; a self-starting and flexible attitude that is comfortable with change, both in terms of planning/organization and culture/travel. Particular preference given to those who are proficient in Haitian Creole, Spanish, or French.

Cost: Transportation and food must be paid independently. Lodging will cost $500 for the ten day workshop. Admission to the Realness Summit is free for interns ($100). Interns will also receive various educational materials provided by Waveplace and the OLPC community. The internship is currently unpaid, with potential paid opportunities in the future.

To apply: Send a brief cover letter and resume to Beth Santos, Outreach Coordinator, 610-797-3100 x44.

More information:

* Waveplace's website: http://www.waveplace.org

* Details and registration: http://realness.org

* Waveplace on Facebook

Waveplace Foundation conducts educational pilots using low-cost laptops and Squeak Etoys, a software learning environment that promotes deep understanding, creative problem solving, and digital media skills.

We work primarily in the Caribbean region, training adult mentors to teach children between the ages of 8 and 12. Each pilot consists of 5 adult mentors that work with 20 children for 90 minutes each day.

Waveplace has created educational courseware that features Squeak Etoys, a multi-platform learning environment. This courseware will ultimately consist of 25 two-week units covering a variety of subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, science, and music. Waveplace begins with the "Basic Etoys" unit, which teaches the Etoys program. Mentors can then choose from any of the remaining 24 units, covering each in any sequence.
A typical Waveplace pilot lasts six weeks and covers the "Basic Etoys" unit, the "Storytelling" unit, and one of the mathematics or science units. The "Basic Etoys" and "Storytelling" units are designed to be interleaved, so both are often taught concurrently, alternating between lessons from each.

Waveplace begins each pilot with a two-week mentor workshop, teaching "Basic Etoys" to the pilot's five mentors along with up to 15 others mentors. Usually, Waveplace teaches the mentors in the morning and the children in the afternoon, with the mentors assisting in the children's class so they may reinforce their understanding by helping the children. In the second week, the pilot's five mentors teach the children while everyone else assists.

After two weeks, the Waveplace team leaves and the five mentors take over. The other mentors from the workshop will often begin pilots of their own. During the pilot period, all mentors are required to communicate frequently with the Waveplace team through email and other means, providing status, asking questions, and making suggestions. After the pilot finishes, Waveplace continues to provide support on an as-needed basis.