Computer Characters: Barnardos' Participatory IT Project for Children, Galway

Abstract

Barnardos (West and Midlands Region) received funding for a children’s IT project from the national ‘Children’s Hour’ initiative in 2000. The Project was initiated out of concern at an emerging ‘digital divide’ between those children who are benefiting and those who are being left behind by the information society. The ‘Computer Characters’ project aimed to increase and improve the access to and usage of information technology as a tool for learning by disadvantaged children and their families. The project was also designed as a ‘participatory’ project, children and their families would have an input into the design, operation and evaluation of the project. The pilot project was of one year’s duration. The project commenced training in October 2003 and finished in July 2004.