Here is a template for writing a CDS project proposal for NYSC Corp members.

I hope you find it useful.

Title: A PROPOSAL FOR PERSONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE

Project idea: WRITING, PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FREE COPIES OF THE BOOK:

“COMPUTER STUDIES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS” AND CONDUCTING AWARENESS PROGRAMS ON THE IMPORTANCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PRESENTED BY: KINDSON MUNONYE

[/b]STATE CODE: RV/08B/1626

[b]CALL UP NUMBER: NYSC/UST/2008/453223

PLACE OF PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT: MODEL BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL, OMOKU, ONELGA, RIVERSSTATE FEBRUARY 2009

[b][/b]INTRODUCTION

Over the years the world has seen a remarkable increase in the use and benefits of Computer/Information Technology. With the aid of Information and Communication Technology, information dissemination becomes easier, learning becomes more interesting and skill acquisition improves.

However observation shows that Nigeria has not been able to tap into the full potential of the merits of Information Technology. This is not because the technology is too difficult or too abstract or even too expensive (as computer systems have become cheaply available lately) but because the awareness on the benefits of Computer knowledge has not been sufficiently created.

It is against this backdrop that this project is been carried out, to address the serious lag in the growth and development of Information Technology. The aims and objectives of this project is outlined in the next section.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Encourages Integration of Information Technology in Schools While it is true that in recent years, some schools (secondary schools) have started offering computer studies as a subject, the interest and emphasis laid on it remains at minimum.

The publication(as mentioned in the cover page) will help all and sundry, teachers especially to see the need to implement the integration Computer Studies into the school curriculum if it has not already been done.

We are living in the Information Age where almost everything is based on Information and Communication Technology: registering for exams (UME, SSCE, GCE etc), payment of fees and bills, record keeping among others. As such what subject could be more important than Study of

Information (Computer Studies) which is at par with the age we are living in? Moreso, why should students be left in the dark with respect to what is happening in the civilized world? Therefore Computers should be viewed as a priority in Secondary Schools as it incorporates close to equal amount of theory and practicals together with other benefits.

2. Encourages Personal Development for Teachers The field of Computer Technology is an evolving one, ever improving with each passing day and changes with the changes of the industrialized world. Consider the evolvement of Programming Languages. Some decades ago saw the use of procedural languages like FORTRAN and BASIC but today such are not much useful as we now have Object Oriented Languages and Database Oriented Languages. This being the case, I am not sure that any teacher that strongly welcomes Computer Technology would in any way like to be left behind as development unfolds. Such teachers would certainly like to keep in touch with latest improvement in the field and be up-to-date with the latest developments. And how can this be achieved? No other way than research personal studies through the use of the Internet, Libraries, E-Libraries, forums, workshops and the like. If this happens, the economy will certainly grow as teachers are the engine that churns out the future drivers of the country’s economy.


3. Helps Students Acquire Useful Skills A student that is good in the use of computers right from his secondary school has one of the most important skills this dying world has to offer.

Observably, many students in the tertiary institution have been able to sustain themselves and even their schooling by harnessing the computer knowledge they acquired during their years in secondary schools. Such students take up part-time jobs doing computer-related works and even handling technical problems arising in computer systems. What better skill can be bestowed on students?

4. Raise Interest Level in IT Generally, students’ interest level in certain subjects (Mathematics for example) if found to be low. This can be attributed to factors like: teachers inefficiency in teaching, unseriousness on the part of the students, lack of awareness on the benefits of the subject or even, inadequate textbooks and reading materials among other factors. But in the case of Computer Studies, the low interest level arises mainly due to lack of awareness on the benefits of the subject and partly by lack of effective textbooks. This project addresses these problems as the book makes the concept in Computer Studies less abstract, more practical and thereby more interesting and easy to understand. The style of writing is also tailored to the outlook of the Nigerian teachers and students.

WHO THE PROJECT IS AIMED AT

1. Students in Secondary Schools

The project will especially benefit secondary school students as the book being prepared covers the government approved syllabus for computer studies and more. Especially with the review questions at the end of each chapter, students are assisted to prepare for any exams.

2. Teachers

The book will also help teachers develop skills needed for effective teaching of computer studies in schools as well as other practical knowledge of computers.

3. Parents

Parents are would also find the book very important as it becomes necessary for them to know to a reasonable extent what the child is really being taught in the classroom. They also have the opportunity of developing themselves in the aspect of computer appreciation

4. Students in Higher Institutions

For students in higher institutions, Computer related course has always been part of the Foundation courses. compulsory for every student. You will be helped to appreciate why computer needs to be studied no matter your discipline or area of specialization.

5. Those aspiring to go into study of Information Technology

For those would later specialize on Computer Science, Computer Engineering or other areas of ICT, the textbook provides the rudimentary knowledge on the principles of what would be studied.

STRATEGY ON ACTUALIZING THE PROJECT

This project does not just end with distribution of the book but conscious creation on awareness on the importance of Computer Knowledge in our society with emphasis on schools.

In the light of this, the following are strategies or analysis of how the the project will be actualized, that is to say, the work to be done in the course of the project as well as work already carried out.

(a) Obtaining the syllabus for Computer Studies for secondary schools
(b) Engaging in intensive research in Libraries and the Internet to obtain the relevant information
(c) Actual organizing and producing the manuscript for the publication as enclosed with this letter.(a draft copy of the publication is enclosed)
(d) Involving IT professionals including lecturers in proof-reading and accessing the produced manuscript
(e) Actual publishing of the textbook
(f) Printing about 100 to 200 copies of the book to be distributed freely to the public.
(g) Reaching out to schools and organizing computer awareness lectures in schools

(h) Giving out of free copies of the books to as many schools as possible as well as members of the public who are youths.


DURATION OF THE PROJECT

The project will be divided into five (5) phases which totally will cover a period 16 weeks that is about 3 months and 3 weeks. What is involved in each phase is outlined below.

PHASE NO

PHASE

DURATION

STRATEGIES

I Information Gathering
2 weeks

II Producing the Manuscript
8 weeks

III Assessment
2 weeks

IV Production
2 weeks

V Distribution and Enlightenment
3 weeks

CONCLUSION

I am very sure that with this project will make a considerable impact on the outlook of student, teachers and the public at large. It is very obvious that challenges would be encountered in the course of the project, but I will not relent or be overwhelmed by any challenges as I am determined to see improvement in the general interest in Information Technology.

Granted, this no doubt marks a step in the right direction but it would not be necessary to stop at this as other related projects needs to be carried out.

Many countries that achieved a high level of Industrialization never achieve it in one day and so we also believe that with the necessary support given to projects like this, we would no doubt find a place among the leading nations in technology.

Read also: http://community.vanguardngr.com/profiles/blogs/30-must-have-things-for-nysc-orientation-camp