Two Courses old!

Inaugurated on a brilliant winter day a little over six weeks ago, the Airjaldi Network Academy is now two courses old, and set firm on its mandate - of providing innovative and practical courses on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with a particular emphasis on building wireless Internet networks in rural areas. We are now approaching an even more exciting juncture, in which we, the only certified Cisco Networking Academy in Himachal Pradesh that is open to the public, is inviting all interested to enroll in our courses.

But first, a brief report on the events past... On December 21, 2007, sixteen of us - more than three-fourths teachers and IT Professionals from various schools and institutions in the Kangra Valley - gathered at the Academy Classroom in the Tibetan Children's Village School Campus, Upper Dharamsala Cantt. The day began with a round of insightful and quick (but not formulaic!) introductions, after which the participants were briefed about the workshop's format - the morning's programme would be composed of not just lectures, but more importantly, demonstrations, participation, hands-on activities, and regular group-based review. Afternoons - and if necessary, time during the evenings - were set aside for self study and online tests. All of this was in supplementation of Cisco Learning Institute's material, available to students for ready reference at the NetAcad website. Additionally, the schedule included essentials like daily progress reviews and (as importantly, given the climate!) energizers.

The first two weeks, wherein we focussed on Cisco's IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software, had participants assessing and assembling computers, installing operating systems, preparing networked environments and shared resources, and troubleshooting issues through the use of default system tools and advanced diagnostic software. Additionally, given their status as primary resource persons in their respective organizations, training about appropriate lab procedures and effective tool use, safe connectivity and implementation of robush security, and communication skills was imparted.

The finals for ITE1, taken online at Netacad, with a hands-on individual skills review test at the Academy Classroom, generated results that far surpassed the hopes of the Academy team! On a personal note, I'm grateful to the participants for allowing me the first experience of a new emotion - the joy teachers feel when students do well :-)

Following a well-deserved break, the first long weekend in a while, we reconvened on January 7, 2008, to continue on to Cisco's IT Essentials II: Network Operating Systems. The next three weeks, during which we were fewer though more determined, were an intensive introduction to multi-user, multi-tasking network operating systems - Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, and various flavours of Linux - Ubuntu and its variants, and Fedora Core 8. The focus now shifted... While reinforcing ITE1 and its explorations, we delved into NOS installation procedures, the nuances of disk partitioning schemes, the importance of security issues (e.g. the creation and implementation of policies), backup procedures and remote access solutions.

Again, and much to our delight, the finals ushered in solid results! These, I believe, demonstrated the following: first and foremost, that the interest and motivation with which participants tackle course material few of them had prior experience with is a prerequisite not just for success, but also long-term understanding. Furthermore, the results also reaffirmed the potency of training methodologies which incorporate participatory learning as their running thread. The effectiveness of our training modules was enhanced many-fold because they were prepared not just with technical rigour, but also to constantly evolve (i.e vigour), hence making them able to depart from the defaults, and from 'Powerpoint Hell.' Despite this being my first extended experience as a trainer, I feel that our techniques and methodologies at the AirJaldi Network Academy allow us a very distinct position. Continuing along this unique trail, often considered rare and exclusive, is of foremost importance in continuing our work, of bridging gaps and opening opportunities. As mentioned elsewhere,

"[b]y providing people with the knowledge and ability to build bridges between technologies and local realities, we are ensuring that initiatives to provide broadband connectivity to rural communities could be supported and managed by local talents who are best positioned to respond to the needs of their communities while maintaining a viable operation."

It was January 25, then, when we concluded the AirJaldi Network Academy's first training sessions... The past six weeks were also the first time many participants - who were now no longer students, but friends - had extensively used free and open source software. Apart from distributing LiveCDs and installation media of Ubuntu and Fedora, and the nuances to effectively use the immense capabilities of these OS' in schools, offices and networked environments, we were also able to pass on something very valuable - the infectious excitement that comes along with the possibilities of creativity, flexibility and security afforded by FOSS :-)

Onward then, to what lies ahead... As mentioned earlier, we're throwing open the doors of the AirJaldi Network Academy. The next edition of Cisco's IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software will be conducted from March onwards. As importantly, we're now in the process of developing our own curriculum, based on our experience and knowledge of building affordable and viable wireless Internet networks for rural areas in developing countries. Additionally, we're also planning workshops which will catalyze theadoption of FOSS, among partner institutions and allied organizations. Stay tuned!

To end, then, I would like to thank: TCV, for its hospitality and support; the participants, for their interest and dedication; my colleague Gompo, for his understanding; and the AirJaldi Network Academy's Director, Michael, for his guidance and insight.

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