The AirJaldi Network Academy’s new offering – Wireless 108 – is on at the AirJaldi premises in Upper TCV. The four week course, delivered by Tenzin Yonten, is AirJaldi’s new offering. Wireless 108 is our basic wireless course, which is aimed at anyone who has basic computer knowledge, good knowledge of English, interest in the field and willingness to put one’s hands and head to work.

The course is designed to cover the basics of computers (hardware and software) and networking (wired and wireless). At the end of the course, participants are able to carry out basic PC troubleshooting, create a simple server-based network and connect computers to it via wired and wireless interfaces.

Great emphasis is being placed on hands-on practical work. Students study in small groups and have personal access to computers, routers, antennas, batteries and a range of related tools. They are all expected to put their newly-gained knowledge to practice through daily practical work-exercise sessions, weekly tests and a two-day summary exercise-cum-exam.

The first batch is presently close to completing its third week. The participants come from varied backgrounds – some are local community members with basic computer knowledge, while others are graduates of vocational computer courses. They all share an interest in wireless and hope to work in the field in the future.

The course is given by Tenzin Yonten, one of the AirJaldi Academy’s instructors and the person behind Wireless 108.

Yonten wants students to not only understand the theory of “what goes on inside computer, or a piece of hardware”, but actually be able to ”break it apart and put it back again”. His lessons are delivered not as lectures, but as group discussions, encouraging the students to think deeper and ask questions. He is really enjoying his teaching experience. “Before this started” he says,
“I would get horrible dreams [about teaching]. But now I really love it!”

The students are enjoying the course as well. Ravi, one of the participants, who previously worked in a cyber café in the area, is very enthusiastic. “I find this course fantastic. There is an atmosphere of group learning, and everyone helps each other”. Madan, who had no previous computer education, joined this course with the aim of learning more and eventually working in this field. Tashi had studied computers at the Vocational Training Center but feels like he is learning more here. “where I studied earlier, the teaching was very syllabus based, and by the end of it, we still had very little understanding in practice. Here, the course is mostly practical, and I can really see what the teacher is talking about”, he says.

The next Wireless 108 course will be offered in early Feb. 2011. The course is open to both potential AirJaldi members as well as others who are interested in learning the essentials of computers and IT.