TechBasic

Tonight's Program

Technology Worldwide

Darwan Barzani

Darwan Barzani

• Senior at IHS
• ISM 1 Student
• Pursuing Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin

My Connections

• Parents from Third-World Nation: Iraqi-Kurdistan
• First-hand experience in region
• Inconsistent electricity
• Limited access to internet
• Village Lifestyle
• Motives to better the region

Socio-Economic Instability

Disfunctional Technology

Scarcity of CS Education

Mission Statement

"Endorsing Educational Availability in Third-World Countries With an Emphasis on Computer Science"

“The quality, relevance, and impact of the products and services output by the technology sector can only be improved by having the people who are building them be demographically representative of the people who are using them.”

Tracy Chou, current CEO of Block Party, ex Pinterest, Quora

TechBasic

What is TechBasic?

Revolutionizing Tech

• Technological resource
• Teaches basics of technology to Kurdish adolescents
• Fully interactive interface
• Will bring an abundance of future engineers to Kurdistan
• Will expand to many underdeveloped nations in the future
• Fully translated to language of region app is accessed

Ms. Nilaya Alluru

• From Andra Pradesh, India
• Initially studied Biology and then transferred to Computer Science
• QA Lead at Insight IT Services
• Insight is a Microsoft-partnered consulting company
• Instrumental to my project
• Proofreads code for TechBasic
• Phenomenal mentor who is a prime example of the wonders Computer Science can bring

TechBasic Website

Why Computer Science?

Computer science is an increasingly important field that has the potential to make a significant impact in underdeveloped countries. There are several reasons why computer science is needed in these countries, including:

• Economic Development
• Creating Jobs
• Increasing Productivity
• Education
• Increase Access to Information
• Improve Quality of Education
• Health Care
• Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness of Healthcare Development
• Social Development
• Facilitate Communication and Exchange of Ideas
• Promote Participation of Underrepresented Groups

Iraqi-Kurdistan

The Iraqi Kurdistan region is an autonomous region located in the northern part of Iraq. It is home to a predominantly Kurdish population and has a high degree of self-governance. The region has a long and complex history, and its relationship with the central government in Baghdad has been strained at times.

Iraqi Education System

Curriculum 5-Step Plan

• Roles of Technology in Society
• Basic Computer Hardware and Software
• Digital Literacy Skills
• Coding and Programming
• Information Technology

Roles

Technology plays a significant role in society and has a profound impact on daily life. Some of the ways in which technology has shaped society and influenced daily life include:

• Communication
• Work
• Transportation
• Education
• Entertainment

Basics

Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, such as the processor, memory, hard drive, and display. These components work together to perform the tasks that a computer is capable of, such as running applications and storing data. Software, on the other hand, refers to the programs and operating systems that run on a computer. Operating systems are the software that manages the hardware resources of a computer and provides a platform for other applications to run on. There are several different operating systems available, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Skills

Basic digital literacy skills are essential for navigating the digital world and using technology effectively and responsibly. Some of the key skills that make up basic digital literacy include:

• File Management
• Internet Safety & Security
• Responsible Use of Social Media

Code

Coding and programming refer to the process of writing and implementing computer programs, which are sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Coding and programming are fundamental skills in the field of computer science and are used to create everything from simple websites to complex software applications.

IT

Information technology (IT) is a broad field that deals with the use of computers, software, and networks to process, store, and transmit information. It plays a vital role in modern society, as it enables the creation, exchange, and use of data and information in various forms, such as text, images, audio, and video.

Lesson Plans

Journey

• Researched 100+ Lesson Plans
• Noticed a common trend on structure

• Interviewed 2 Technology Educators
• Insight aligned with structure of lesson plans I initially researched
• Wrote out lesson plan for every single lesson in TechBasic curriculum

5 Step Plan

6-8 Units Per Step

3 Lessons Per Unit

TechBasic Interface

Blueprints

• Developed plan for crucial aspects of TechBasic
• Welcome Screen
• Language Selection
• Lesson Selection
• Maintained color scheme throughout app
• Incorporated simplicity
• Limits confusion for new tech users

Start Screen

Directional Screens

Lesson Selection Screens

Next Steps

• Continue App Development
• Work With Programmers for App
• Mirror Blueprints in Development
• Work With Educators to Transfer Lesson Plans to Video Instruction
• Develop Process to Translate Lessons

• Work Adequately to Meet December 2023 Deadline

Later On

• Continue Posting on Social Media Platforms
• Update Website Accordingly
• Receive More Donations
• Launch App in Kurdistan
• Measure Effects After 9-12 Months
• Translate App To a Different Language
• Launch App in New Country

THANK YOU!