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eLearn2Earn

The eLearn2Earn Program is offered to middle school age youth and is designed for use in local community technology centers and computer labs. The program allows them to develop skills and build confidence using technology.

The program provides educational learning modules based on custom content and existing online educational resources. The curriculum modules cover subjects including finance, the environment, careers, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Module examples include: Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, Careers Helping Others, Summer Camp News using Video Conferencing Technology, Earning Money, Using Less Waste, and Exploring the Planet with Google Earth. The program takes a range of ages and skills into consideration.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• To generate an interest in technology at a young age through projects based on children's own interests;

• To improve technology skills in program participants by teaching basic computer techniques (such as keyboard and mouse skills) and basic computer applications (such as word processing);

• To increase usage of computers in the labs that use the program;

• To motivate kids to use computers for educational purposes rather than just to play games;

• To reinforce curriculum the participants are learning in school.

REWARDS

An innovative key component of the program is a points-based rewards system, which provides incentives and motivation for the students to stay actively involved. At the beginning of the program kids are asked to review the rewards items and choose a goal. For each module a student completes, he or she earns points (500 to 2,500 per module) towards rewards. Rewards items include inexpensive items (such as stuffed animals and toys) up to more valuable items including DVD players, video game systems and cameras.

PROGRAM HISTORY

The first pilot program, conducted in August 2006, was a great success. SDFF partnered with the City Heights Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) to pilot the program at two low-income housing complexes in City Heights: the Sycamore and El Cerrito Glen apartments. For two weeks, classes were conducted two hours a day, five days a week. Eleven students, five boys and six girls, participated in the pilot program. Their ages ranged from eight to thirteen. The students were Kenyan, Somali, African-American and Hispanic. Many of the students were ESL learners who speak Kiswahili and Somali as their first languages.

At the beginning of the program kids were asked to review the rewards items and choose a goal. All of the students participating in the pilot program were able to reach their rewards goals with three students earning Microsoft Xboxes (an impressive 20,000 points!).

The students’ success was celebrated at a pizza party where they received their well deserved rewards!

“When asked about their favorite modules, they [students] were able to recall the names and the activities they did. The money mods incorporated real numbers into real things in life. Trying to develop a budget using all the things you need to live (food, clothing, etc.) seemed to be really cool for them. Kids in the low income and immigrant arena tend to fall behind due to various limitations, making it harder for them to pick up the advanced skills necessary to raise their socio economic status. Technology is becoming more and more necessary to get a decent job in the world, making early training extremely valuable.

- Dawn-Marie Nuckels, CHCDC Program Coordinator

PROGRAM RESULTS

Based on evaluations taken from the participating students and the lab directors, the students improved their reading, writing, math, and communication skills. Additionally they gained valuable technology experience with Microsoft applications (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), the Internet, and video technology.

The students reported that their favorite parts of the program were: writing about themselves and others; creating a budget; learning about money and jobs; video conferencing; having fun; learning new things; and making progress toward a goal.

PROGRAM UPDATES

In January, SDFF was awarded a grant from Bank of America Foundation to expand the “eLearn2Earn” program. With this grant, SDFF will supplement the current Rewards Program curriculum by developing 20 new educational “modules” focused specifically on financial literacy and planning. The second pilot will be conducted this summer at two apartment complexes in City Heights.

“Bank of America Foundation’s philanthropic approach is to provide meaningful change by making investments in neighborhoods for the future. Bank of America is pleased to support this valuable program that helps San Diego’s youth improve their financial literacy.”

- Joye Blount, Bank of America Senior VP, Corporate Communications