Computer Fun

Perhaps for most of us, computers along with a myriad of other gadgets and devices have become a basic necessity. For others, simply learning how to type and having the opportunity to master the skill is a privilege – one that is welcomed with much joy and excitement. One of our students from the Seng Girls Vocational Training School shares her new-found interest and enjoyment in learning about computers.

“The computer courses at our school are 45-minutes long, similar to other courses, and are held in the afternoon. We are taught how to use the computer – switching on and off, using the mouse and the keyboard – as well as how to operate its basic functions such as typing and editing word documents. Occasionally, the teacher allows us to watch movies.

Before our computer class starts, we prepare ahead of time a book that we choose, which we will input into the computer. We select particular text to type, then save the file under our own name. This way, we are able to practice typing correctly. Our teacher said that in order for us to learn typing quickly, we need to learn pinyin (spelling out Chinese phrases with letters from the English alphabet), understand the keyboard layout, and be familiar with the proper placing of our fingers in the keyboard; that is, placing our eight fingers on the basic keys with the two thumbs placed on the space bar. The keys serve as each finger’s own keypad, thus should not overlap to the other keypads.

I was nervous when I first learned to type. I didn’t understand how to type correctly. However, with the help of our teacher, I quickly learned how to use the keyboard. Now, although my typing speed is still a bit slow, I know it will eventually improve as I continue to practice. Before learning to type, most of us students got very envious whenever we saw someone skillfully tapping in the computer keyboard. Now, we have our own opportunity to master the skill, and learn a lot more about computers.”

Thank you to all our partners and sponsors who continue making opportunities like this possible for our girls.

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