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About Digital Miracles
Digital
Miracles Project provides an opportunity for middle school and high school
students to learn hardware components, software installation, troubleshooting
skills, and various software applications. Through service-learning, students
also find ways to pass on what they have learned to their community. Started
in 2002 as the Dell Techknow program, the Digital Miracles Project has now
expanded to seven schools in the Philadelphia area.
What is the Digital Miracles Project?
What do students learn in Digital Miracles?
What type of computers do students receive?
Digital Miracles and Service-Learning
How do teachers benefit from Digital Miracles?
How do schools benefit from Digital Miracles?
How does the community benefit from Digital Miracles?
What does a school need to do to be part of Digital Miracles?
What does a Digital Miracles teacher do?
Classroom requirements for Digital Miracles
Components of a Digital Miracles session
Classroom materials provided by Digital Miracles
What is the Digital Miracles Project?
- A 40-hour extra-curricular program designed for students aged 12-15.
- Students learn about computer repair and software installation through hands-on activities.
- Each student who completes the program receives a refurbished computer to take home and keep.
- Through service-learning, students provide technology assistance to their schools, communities and families.
What do students learn in Digital Miracles?
- The basic hardware components of a personal computer.
- How to upgrade and repair a personal computer.
- How to install various kinds of software onto a computer.
- How to use productivity software to create documents and presentations.
- How to use new technology skills to bridge the “digital divide” in their communities.
What type of computers do students receive?
- All the computers are previously owned and donated by area businesses.
- Minimum specifications: Pentium II processor, 64 Mb of RAM, 2GB Hard drive, 56K modem.
- Mouse, keyboard, monitor.
- Software: Windows 2000, Microsoft Office 2000, AVG antivirus, iCom Stealth Internet Filter
- Internet: all students will receive free Internet service from Critical Path Internet Services.
Digital Miracles and Service-Learning
- Students utilize skills learned to assist teachers with technology in the classroom.
- Students refurbish an additional computer that will be donated to a parent services program in the School District of Philadelphia.
- Students are strongly encouraged to “pass it on,” sharing their new knowledge and their computer with families and friends.
How do teachers benefit from Digital Miracles?
- Digital Miracles teachers receive an intensive five-day training on technology and service-learning.
- Other teachers will benefit from technology savvy students in their classrooms.
How do schools benefit from Digital Miracles?
- Provides an extra-curricular enrichment program for students interested in computers and technology.
- Provides teachers with computer training.
- Helps students and teachers integrate technology into the classroom and service-learning projects.
How does the community benefit from Digital Miracles?
- Gives young people a start towards developing marketable skills.
- Provides access to technology for low-income students and families.
- Businesses can safely recycle and reuse old computer systems.
What does a school need to do to be part of Digital Miracles?
- Commit at least two teachers to attend a Digital Miracles training.
- Commit one room within the school to store computers and conduct trainings.
- Conduct at least two Digital Miracles sessions within the school year.
What does a Digital Miracles teacher do?
- Attend a basic training for one week during the summer.
- Coordinate and teach two sessions within the school year.
- Recruit students to participate in the program.
- Organize a celebration for students and families at the end of each session.
- Conduct a short parent computer training as part of the celebration.
Classroom requirements for Digital Miracles
- Adequate space to store at least 40 computers.
- Tables rather than desks are recommended.
- Enough electrical outlets to support 14 computers.
- Network connectivity.
- Locked and secure when not in use.
Components of a Digital Miracles session
- Designed for a class of up to 14 students.
- All training time (40 hours) is conducted outside of regular instructional time (i.e. after school, Saturdays, Spring Break, summer)\
- A
parent/family celebration and training occurs at the end of the session.
Classroom materials provided by Digital Miracles
- 30 complete pre-owned computer systems for each session (CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, cabling).
- 8 computer tool kits and 16 electrostatic wrist straps.
CD’s with all the necessary software. - Curriculum workbooks for each student (students keep the books at the end of the program).
- 28 modems for each session.
The Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance dissolved as of June 30, 2007. The website will stay posted for one more year, so please share the resources. We are sorry that we will not be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck with all your future service-learning endeavors!