Helping install extra memory into some of the computers at Wellington Girls’ College is giving the school’s Tech Angels a valuable opportunity to ‘tinker under the hood’ and see the inner workings of a computer.
Although installing RAM is a simple process, the school’s ICT Director and Tech Angel leader, Matt Mansell, held several ‘how to’ lessons before the girls were let loose on the computers.
“It’s a nice easy little exercise for them to get started on. They’ve been taught how to do it, and it’s not hard,” says Matt.
Matt is also wants to break the perception that girls are not interested in the technical side of computing and says many Tech Angels volunteered to be involved the upgrade process.
Year 13 Tech Angel, Christina, says although the task is basic, it’s a starting point to learn about hard drives, memory and the central processing unit.
“It’s menial but you get a good look around a computer and get to see how it works,” says Christina.
Junior Tech Angel, Amanda, enthusiastically prods around the insides of a computer and says she is enjoying the opportunity to pull them apart. Although unsure what her career path will be, Amanda is sure her newly acquired Tech Angel computer skills will stand her in good stead.
“I’m not sure what I’ll do yet but I will try and use my skills,” says Amanda.
Four to 10 Tech Angels are helping in the after-school sessions to upgrade 51 of the school’s computers from 128 to 256 MB of RAM. The process is expected to be complete by the end of July.
