The Intel Computer Clubhouse is an after-learning place where underserved kids from eight to 18 can work with adult mentors to develop their own ideas, learn technology skills and build confidence in themselves. The end result? Because the kids try out new ideas, they become inspired and experience more success in a community of other supportive learners.
The clubhouse veers away from classroom-type learning and concentrates more on home work and tutoring. After all, the kids get to work with adult mentors who help them on projects that they enjoy doing – and get done with cutting-edge software.
One of the best things about the clubhouse is that the kids work in an environment of respect and trust.
In the computer clubhouse of East Valley, there are only the latest computers with the best gadgets so that using the computer is more like playing with a favorite toy. This is exactly how John wants learning how to use the computer to be – an experience where young people learn to develop a liking and a great interest for what the computer can really do.
John explained that the computer clubhouse has many areas where the different interests of the kids can be met. "For example, a kid wants to learn how to make music, I take him to the music studio," said John.
"Or the kids might come in and want to make their own movies and they can do that here, too."
At the clubhouse, what John does is try to get to know the kids – not just what projects they like to do. "I want to get to know the kids so that I know what interests them," added John.
Just like all young kids, their interests vary. But that is never a problem at the clubhouse. There are facilities that the kids can use if they want to make their own music videos. John told us that some of the kids download their favorite music video and then, with the machines in the clubhouse, they are able to put themselves into the video. Others like to make their own web pages.
Other kids like to work on projects together and there is a multipurpose room where they can also do just that. "Sometimes there are 20 to 30 kids here and I might not be able to attend to them as much as I want to," said John. "But it is interesting with these kids because what happens is that someone else knows what the others want to learn, then they teach others."
John said that sometimes even after he has explained something over and over to a child he or she might not fully grasp what he is saying. But when the kids start to help each other they learn a little faster.
One of the regulars of the clubhouse was a child who wanted to learn how to make music videos and spent two years perfecting his craft.
Later on, this kid turned from being just a user of the computers to a mentor for other kids. "And he liked doing that," said John.
Now he comes in during summers and spends 40 hours here just teaching the other kids how to use the computer."
This makes John happy because what he wants is for information to flow not just from him but from the teens to the younger kids who visit the clubhouse.
Mackenzie, 8, was working on her own website when we rudely interrupted her concentration. "I come to the clubhouse every day after school. My mom picks me up after work," said Mackenzie to me. "Really cool" is how she describes being able to use the computer.
Creating her own website was her big project but she said that she did not know how to do everything that went into making a website. "I still have to get more stuff so that I can complete my website," she added.
"I like it best here on Fridays," said Mackenzie. "Why?" we ask. "Because they give us snacks," she giggled.
Mackenzie says that she does not get to work on the computer at home because her mom’s boyfriend doesn’t allow it. This is why she likes to come to the clubhouse every day.
I watched as Mackenzie worked on the computer and she was more than eager to teach me what she knew.
Miquala, 10, loves to draw on the computer. "I can draw anything but my favorite are flowers," said Miquala. She had such great control of the mouse, making drawing look so easy. "Can you draw a dog?" I ask. "What kind?" she replies. I whipped out a picture of Gorby on my cell phone. "I can do that," she said. In a few minutes, she had completed a picture of Gorby, and even put his name.
Miquala also drew a flower for us and she colored it well, too. She added the sky, a house and another drawing of Gorby. "Where are the people?" I asked her. "They’re inside the house, sleeping," she said to me.