TORONTO, July 7, 2015 /CNW/ - For hundreds of Aboriginal youth attending camp this summer, learning will have a decidedly technological flair. Thanks to an ongoing partnership between One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Canada, TD Bank Group and Frontier College, educational tablets have been provided for more than 900 Aboriginal youth in northern Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick. Eight First Nations were selected to receive child friendly educational technology as a part of a national initiative to bridge the digital divide for Aboriginal youth. The $100,000 gift from TD has provided tablets to youth participants of Frontier College Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camps, which will remain in First Nations communities as a permanent donation to local schools. An additional 450 youth will benefit from edtech donations to elementary schools in Nunavut.
"We are proud to continue to support OLPC and the growth of this national program which provides Aboriginal youth with the tools and resources they need to enhance their education and literacy skills," said Clint Davis, Vice President, Aboriginal Banking, TD. "Literacy is an essential component of social and human development. By supporting the development of strong literacy skills at an early age, youth have a better chance of overcoming learning barriers and achieve better health outcomes, higher income, and improved communication skills with other people."
OLPC Canada tablets are designed with children and communities in mind, with pre-installed educational apps for skill development in areas such as financial literacy, health, math, science and Aboriginal languages. Each tablet is equipped with up to three separate user accounts for children, allowing students to progress through interactive lessons at their own pace. Eleven Aboriginal communities in five provinces and territories have been selected by TD to join the OLPC Canada network this year.
Students of Henry Coaster Memorial School benefited from the initiative in 2014, when Marten Falls First Nation was selected as one of 10 communities to receive tablets as a result of TD sponsorship. "The children are really enjoying using the tablets. The memory game in my grade 1/2 classroom is a hit! The students get excited when they get to use the tablets during our Native Language class. I appreciate how there are apps designed for my class. These tablets serve to enrich just about any lesson!" said Matthew Perlanski, Principal, Henry Coaster Memorial School.
About One Laptop per Child Canada
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Canada enhances education for Aboriginal youth with technological tools designed for creative, innovative, self-empowered learning. www.olpccanada.com
About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2014, TD donated $82 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.
SOURCE OLPC Canada
Image with caption: "Student explores new educational technology thanks to donation by TD Bank Group. (CNW Group/OLPC Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150707_C4091_PHOTO_EN_437294.jpg
Image with caption: "OLPC Canada (CNW Group/OLPC Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150707_C4091_PHOTO_EN_437296.jpg
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