Interest in Computers/IT

[idalatob]

Hi guys, over the past 2 years I have been working for a NGO in which we travel around rural areas setting up sustainable computer centres. One of the major problems/challenges we are facing is sparking an interest in youngsters whom have never seen a computer before.

A new project we are considering implementing is hosting a gaming session once a week at various centres we have already established. The goals behind this are to:

1.) Create interest in IT (esp. youngsters)
2.) Remove the perception of complexity of use computers are associated with.
3.) Create an environment where kids are taken off the streets and are given alternatives to drinking and other negative activities.
4.) Help establish a positive social environment through group gaming and social gatherings. Including community projects that the kids can volunteer for.

The idea behind this project is based on my assumption that a large proportion of people who are interested & have livelihoods in IT were introduced through gaming and associated activities. I know I was :p

This is one of 5 different studies I am conducting to prove my assumption.

[Millenia]

Although I voted no, I think that games are a great way to get people interested.

[TheWolf1]

I voted yes, but it goes further than that... I've learned my first English words by gaming. Being French-Canadian, I was good in English at school because I've been playing Space Quest II (you know the old 16 color version where you must type what you want to do in game... Like "open the door", "look around"...).

I've then stumbled into programming and I live of it now :)

[FWDrew]

Although I voted no, I think that games are a great way to get people interested.

Same here, anything that gets people especially children interested in computers and computer science or programming etc is a great thing.

[primefalcon]

I think games are a great encouragment to learning, if people sue a computer a lot of gaming. they're going to use it for other things as well. saving documents.. browsing the web..

and the interaction in games actualy help kid interact, and with the global usage it also helps kill off any and all negative views of people from other countries

[bazz]

I think the answer is applicable when trying to get people interested in anything, not just IT/computers.

We all like to play. We all like to explore ~ because we have an innate curiosity. so if we make computing fun or, present it in such a way as to arouse people's curiosity then it should 'sell' itself.

('curiosity kills the cat'. is this why the mouse is safe by the pc?) ;)