The Situation
Women in the remote community of Gulang-Gulang in Kuala Selangor have benefited from a web-based tailoring workshop provided by the Medan Info Desa (MID), a community ICT center implemented by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
MID is a pilot project undertaken by the Malaysian government to promote and support lifelong learning in rural Malaysia. Through IPSTAR, the MID project in Gulang-Gulang is able to deliver web-based learning on garment tailoring through the use of online modules.
Distance Learning via IPSTAR
Despite the lack of computer skills and experience in tailoring, workshop participants were able to sew a complete garment in 3 days solely by using online learning materials – which normally takes up to 5 days on a traditional tailoring class. With broadband access via IPSTAR, workshop trainers managed to reduce the class duration by 40 percent, as the learners were able to practice sewing independently and at their own pace.
“Participants were previously requesting for training on how to use the computer and Internet prior to the class. Some of the participants had no idea on how to handle a mouse and their hands were shaking as we guided them through the modules. Despite the apparent lack of computer literacy, they were still very willing to learn tailoring”, recalled the workshop trainer.
Norashikin Yatim, after finishing the tailoring course, said, “Basic computing skills help me improve my sewing skills to the point that I am now taking orders from customers”. As of 2008, the MID project offered nearly 3,300 training courses and had trained over 60,000 rural villagers from its 147 community ICT centers. IPSAT, a service provider of IPSTAR in Malaysia, has enabled 21 remote villages with MID centers – including Gulang-Gulang – to access broadband Internet via satellite. |
