Digital School Made History!

The PeopleStories Digital School (PSDS) Pilot Program went live on June 7, 2022 and has now concluded the Launch 1.  There have been two interim reviews and we’re excited to look at what we’ve learned and hear from our children and teachers about their experience.

Smart School Anywhere is all about bringing scalable, mobile, digital solutions to rural Cambodia and the PSDS Pilot Program was stage 1.  Practically this meant converting an old TukTuk to a mobile classroom that can carry laptops plus remote servers going to different schools (or community spaces) enabling digital learning anywhere anytime.  These learning modules were all developed in house by a group of amazing L&D experts and educators who are our virtual volunteers!  PSDS offers quality e-learning to supplement the government curriculum and gives children the best chance to learn and complete school.  Our team at PeopleStories absolutely rose to the challenge without hesitation. 

Volunteer and PSDG Program Manager Chee Ming established the technology enablement and guided the development team on this journey to the new, digital way of learning.  During the pilot the team quickly realized that their assumption about the children’s exposure to technologies needed to be recalibrated.  Chee Ming explained, “We were able to make adjustments to the e-learning delivery approach and content as we progressed.  Additionally, as the SSA digital school required our team to develop the e-learning content from the ground up, we have had to constantly revisit, adjust, and fine tune the content on the fly as they were being developed.

School Director Nika, who has great concern for her students’ learning, especially during the pandemic, is very excited about PSDS and shared, “We hope that Digital School will help our students and make them want to study.  And for our school, it is the first school in Bakong District that has this program and we are so proud working with PeopleStories.”

As with any new idea being introduced to children, for the idea to be successful the children need to buy into what’s being offered to them.  Student Reurn is in Grade 8 and she likes e-learning very much and is excited to be learning basic computer skills.  In the classroom she takes time to understand and listen to the teacher.  Reurn shared, “I come to e-learning regularly because I don’t want to miss the lessons.  I think it’s very important for me.  It will help me when I start work.”

​Grade 7 student, Koun, said it is taking him a little longer to understand e-learning.  He believes e-learning is important and likes this new way of learning.  Koun said, “I am very happy with having the basic knowledge of the computer.  I’m always excited for the next e-learning class.”

Hearing the excitement from the students is sure to make Chee Ming and the Learning & Development team very proud!  What started as a group of strangers has quickly turned into a strong team, bonded by a common goal to provide better, quality education to the deserving community through our Smart School Anywhere program.  Chee Ming expressed, “I am extremely proud of the team, always working together as a team, putting in the extra effort for the benefits of the children.”  

Reflecting on this inspiring collaboration he continued, “Never underestimate the impact and contribution you can have to the bigger cause.  Be bold and take the first step, you will always find friends with common aspirations in your journey.”

From school directors to students to volunteers, it seems everyone is loving PSDS.  The pandemic forced the world to reimagine the classroom and education and for PeopleStories that meant putting together teams of volunteers and further reimagine getting quality education to the deserving children in rural Cambodia. 

Chee Ming said it best, “I feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity to contribute in ways that I can as part of the bigger team.  I am humbled by the resilience and positivity of the local, deserving children who continue to chase their dreams amid their challenging environment and situation.” 

Would you like to be a part of the bigger team?  Help a child today complete school so they can have a fighting chance at a brighter future: PeopleStories SchoolForLife 2022

Story written by: Volunteer Kathy Aunkst