Students' Extracurricular IT Activities: Inform@Puce

Fabián A. Rodríguez <rodrf00@dmi.usherb.ca>
Computer Science Student

Elke C. Meyer <emeyer@labadm.usherb.ca>
Administration Student

Sherbrooke University
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

At the present time the Internet has several weaknesses:

• It is not obvious for the common user to integrate, in a practical daily fashion, these incredible communicative and informative resources.
• Resources aimed at empowering students (K-12) are particularly scarce. This situation is especially critical for francophones.
• Resources created by students are not promoted; at present their works are difficult to locate and identify.

The Inform@Puce pilot project was launched by two university students, and supported by Canada's SchoolNet, in an attempt to address these growing needs among youth. An initial francophone WWW site is being built at http://www.ipuce.abacom.com to help provide valid input about common practices and exemplary uses of information technologies among students.

Objectives of Inform@Puce

The main objectives of Inform@Puce are to see if such a format (WWW site) can:

• Instill a francophone telecommunication culture in K-13 youth (note: the Quebec education system has a 13th grade).
• Encourage use of and interest in the Internet (WWW, e-mail, MOO, chat, etc.) and other related resources (BBSs, networks, etc.), among students by illustrating practical uses and projects of their peers.
• Encourage the use and development of new technologies by students.
• Promote a proactive francophone youth culture on the Internet.
• Encourage student interaction and participation with their schools and communities. Students will become resources for information and servicing in information technology (IT).

The study will also conduct an exploratory (descriptive) study using a questionnaire that will be distributed in a few primary (late elementary levels) and secondary (early high school levels) schools. The collected data should provide an insight on the needs of francophone youth and their reaction to the Inform@Puce WWW site.

WWW site organization

The Inform@Puce WWW site will feature several sections to encourage students to use online resources.

• Quoi de neuf? (What's Up?): a brief description of additions and modifications to the structure and content of the site, arranged by chronological order (latest changes first).
• La Galerie (The Gallery): featuring, through pictures and descriptions, the IT or Internet accomplishments of students. An "Internet personality" is featured every week. This section has the following objectives: to permit youth to gain recognition for their work and to promote co-operation and participation among youth on the Internet.
• Activités (Events): a collection of links to ongoing or upcoming events for youth (meetings, contests, expos).
• Points+Liens (Youth Link): links to youth forums, such as WWW sites, listservers, IRC channels, MOO, newsgroups, and other existing or future resources. Inform@Puce has its own discussion list. This section should permit youth to exchange experiences and knowledge, as well as offer a forum where students can discuss school matters (homework, student council, helpful resources they've found).
• J'embarque! (I'm In!): a list of resources for or created by students to help students explore areas of interest and start projects in new fields.

Other sections might be added, depending on youth feedback.

Contact

Inform@Puce <ipuce@abacom.com>