IBM Outfits Callier Children with Computers

Children enrolled in the UT Dallas Callier Center’s Child Development Program are the proud recipients of new computers donated by IBM.

Since 1999, students in the  program have been using donated computers from IBM to acquire the computer skills needed for a well-rounded early childhood education.

The most recent donation included 12 KidSmart Young Explorer computers and eight personal computers. The KidSmart Young Explorer computers are housed in brightly-colored, kid-hardened Little Tikes furniture. The computers also come equipped with award-winning educational software to help the students learn concepts in math, science and language.

The Callier Child Development Program is a partnership between UT Southwestern, UT Dallas and the Dallas Independent School District. The program is unique and special because it allows students ages 2 to 5 who are deaf or hard of hearing to be integrated into typical preschool classes with students who are not deaf or hard of hearing.

The children who are deaf or hard of hearing use the IBM-donated computers to access sign language software that helps them expand their vocabulary and connect signs to the written word. The students who are not deaf or hard of hearing also use the software to learn new sign language skills.

“Because of IBM’s generous donation, our students who are deaf and students who are hearing can access the Young Explorer computers and learn to communicate with one another,” said Thomas Campbell, executive director for the Callier Center.

Many of the students in the deaf education program have limited access to computers outside of school. By providing early access to technology, the Callier program will better prepare the students for later academic success.

“Our teachers also benefit from the IBM donation,” said Karen Clark, Callier Center education division director. “The KidSmart Teachers Guide to Early Learning and Technology helps our teachers to use the technology in ways that most appropriately support classroom learning.”

To celebrate IBM’s 10th year of donating computers to early classroom programs, the Callier Center hosted a media event on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Other non-profit agencies, including the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Dallas Independent School District, who are two of the Callier Center’s partner agencies, were in attendance and also celebrated the donations they have received from IBM.