The Wave of Digital Literacy and End of Digital Divide

About Solution

The Wave is a project sponsored by The Mercy Wave. One of the very core reasons behind The Wave is the chief fact that most people in our community are lacking in basic 21st-century technological and digital literacy skills. Ironically, the world’s insatiable appetite for technological and digital literacy skills incessantly hunger for these skills. Most of the schools especially universities within the communities where this project will be initiated, do not have computer laboratories. Thus, digital literacy skills as it pertains to computer coding, programming, navigating through social media, using Microsoft Office/Google G Suite usage, utilizing online research tools, virtual reality or innovative-centered technological skills are highly lacking. As a result, there is inequitable use of digital services and technology because marginalized or underserved communities are exposed to gigantic barriers to digital literacy, education and economic opportunities.There is a huge chasm on what the adults should be acquainted with when it comes to learning cutting edge technological skills. This is because most communities in Nigeria are remote populations who are not able to access the internet let alone polish or even enhance their digital literacy skills. This chasm is a challenge that the Wave project wants to close. We want a situation where adults can utilize their new-found knowledge in coding, programming, social media navigation, virtual reality and animation to build solutions that can positively transform the society aggressively in such a way that they will be able to compete globally especially considering the rapid wave of technological developments. This is not only going to boost and improve Nigeria's economy but will bridge the digital divide that is present now. This solution will go further to help these underserved adults build reputable startups and compete proficiently in the ever-changing global economy.This is the motive behind the Wave Movement.

BACKGROUND OF BENEFICIARY REGION: Abia State, Nigeria is a business concentrated area that is focused majorly on buying and selling of raw materials for industrial use. There is very little drive from the government or even private firms when it comes to encouraging 21st-century digital literacy and technological skills’ development across the state. There is no push whatsoever, let alone proactive encouragement with suitable environment that encourages tech-centered education and digital literacy education. This issue is one of the primary reasons why there’s a digital divide in Nigeria, overall.  This has by every means hampered the growth and development of Information, Communication and Technology and every technological related solution.Since so many people in Nigeria are not digital literates and thus are unaware and noncompetitive when it comes to technological growth, innovation and opportunities across the globe; they have no enthusiasm to key into the wave of digital literacy and technologically skills that has revolutionized today’s economy globally.  The ignorant of the power and economic opportunities that accompany the digital and technological worlds.This is the sweeping revolution that The Mercy Wave seek to bring about via The Wave and we are optimistic that the feat can be achieved with the right support and formidable backbone.

BELOW ARE INNOVATIVE METHODS WE DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF PROMOTING EQUITABLE USE OF DIGITAL SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY, EMPOWERING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO DIGITAL LITERACY, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Annual Adults’ Workshop: As part of our yearly line up of activities, we will recruit adults in the community, free of charge and walk them through the basic knowledge of coding. This includes areas like web development, android development, game programming, virtual reality, amongst others. We will also have a Summer Code Workshop where we teach about the use of technological software such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, as well as different types of manufacturing machinery such as CNC machines and lathes.
  • Annual Teachers and Professors’ Technology Conference: We anticipate hosting this annual conference that is aimed at giving teachers and professors an edge in technology innovations, digital literacy skills. We will ultimately expose them to technology related developments of which that will pass on to their students. This Passing on will ultimately help to breach digital divide because newer generations will be instructed by these teachers and professors who have now evolved to be experts in the fields of digital literacy and technological skills
  • Active Follow-ups: Through the course of the year, we focus on teenagers and adults that stood out on the summer code workshops and provide them with opportunities alongside resources and assistance in other to aid them accelerate and improve on their coding skills, their digital literacy skills ( Some of which include but are not limited to: sending an email, DM or text. Instructing them on how to use Google Search, Microsoft Office/Google G Suite, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram).
  • Strategic Partnerships: in our quest to grow in the learning process, we anticipate to partner and purchase local technology
    centered organizations to provide affordable internet connectivity and effectively collaborate with technology focused firms and individuals to bring about a wide range of learning opportunities and innovative impact in the lives of the members of the community.
  • Vocational Schools and Manufacturing-Focused Classes: Here students will be enrolled in manufacturing-focused classes that will provide technical training and know-how, principally providing pupils a taste for what manufacturing careers necessitate and even prepping them for careers in manufacturing.

 IMPLEMENTATION/SUPERVISION AND REPORTING: Before the active commencement of the yearly program, volunteers are given monthly intensive orientation and training on communication, best teaching techniques and working as a team to ensure the smooth running of the programs. Each volunteer is kept abreast with the yearly curriculum of the project. This will make each volunteer knows the new strategies adopted and next line of action.When it comes to the implementation of the project, each Local Government Area (LGA) will have a minimum of five volunteers led by a The Wave Local Government Coordinator (WLGC) who serves as a supervisor. Each Local Government Coordinator (WLGC) gets to report to the Wave State Coordinator (WSC). Each Local Government Area (LGA) volunteer team helps to intimate out-of-the-community volunteers during programs in their locality about the success stories and needful briefing of the community.  The official progress report by different local government coordinators will not only assist to host the programs in their locality but will also give detailed insights and follow-up responses on the progress of the participants even after the program has been concluded in their community.With the blow-by-blow reports from the volunteers in the different communities, the project team gets to actively monitor the progress of the participants in the communities, build better strategy and work on better ways of getting more active participation and impact.The state coordinator gives detailed reports of the programs to the different organizations and individual partners that play active roles in the program.

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