Narrowing the gap between the information rich and the information poor :
New technologies and the future of the school

Educational Computer Science Program

Costa Rica

This program tries to improve the quality of education by means of the use of computers in the public elementary education in Costa Rica. It is directed towards pre-school, first and second cycles of elementary education children. It aims at democratizing the educational system, both in qualitative terms as well as in the access to scientific and technological advances. The program gives aid to almost half of the elementary students in the country, and to over 7,000 teachers and educational authorities.

The educational activity deals with learning the programming language and carrying out educational projects linked to the school curriculum. Since 1998, students and teachers can produce their own Web materials. Besides, virtual and on line learning experiences are being done. At the beginning of every year, program tutors and advisors receive intense training, whose axes range from the instrumental Logo language handling to the pedagogical support and the learning goals underlying the introduction to computer science into the school.

The program was created in order to improve the quality of education with the use of computers.

Clotilde Fonseca,
Omar Dengo Foundation Director
E.mail : cfonseca@rad.fod.ac.cr
Web site : www.fod.ac.cr

Ministry of Public Education, Costa Rica

Started in 1988

Zuñiga C., "The Educational Computer Science program of the Ministry of Public Education and the Omar Dengo Foundation: achievements and outcomes of a research", Omar Dengo Foundation, Research Department, San José of Costa Rica, February 1997. Many studies on the subject indicate that the program has had a positive impact on school absenteeism and the children's work. It has also helped to improve the students' self-esteem and autonomy, by fostering teamwork and stimulating flexible and relativistic thought.