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DzType 2 Officially Released
DzType 2, the world's first (and only) Dzongkha Typing Tutor is now available. Check the project page for more information. |
Coming soon: Rigsum Sherig Collection 3.0
Following the success of Rigsum Sherig Collection 2.0, we will be releasing an updated package in the early part of May 2014. Join the Rigsum Sherig Collection Facebook group to get the most recent updates and learn about RSC 3.0. |
Released: DzType 2 (BETA)
We have just released the beta version of DzType 2, a Dzongkha Typing Tutor. You can read about Dztype 2, and like the DzType Facebook page. |
Rigsum Sherig Collection visits Bajothang Book Fair
 We just returned from two days at the Bajothang HSS book fair, where we displayed and distributed the Rigsum Sherig Collection to many schools outside of Thimphu: School principals, librarians, teachers and staff from nine dzongkhags visited the Rigsum Sherig Collection tent: Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa, Tsirang, and Wangdue.
Teachers were eager to gain access to quality offline learning resources. Many have told us that the Internet connection at their school was more in theory than in practice (we learned that in some areas, 3-6am was the only time to attempt sending an email!). Other schools were so remote that even mobile reception was insufficient. For teachers and students in such schools, the Sherig Collection was perceived as a life-changer. At last, teachers and students will have fast access to digital encyclopedias that do not cost a fortune and do not need to be kept locked behind glass doors. More than 2,000 Khan Academy videos in maths and sciences will provide teachers with new ways of teaching existing materials, and for students, ways to strengthen their knowledge and expand it, while keeping their curiosity healthy.
 Nearly all schools that visited our tent reported having computers for students to access. While a few schools have only 1-2 computers for students, many others have a computer lab. School computers range from old models to newer ones, from those with Windows XP to those with Windows 7. Some visitors were surprised to learn that the Sherig Collection will work on even old computers running Windows XP.
Many of the teachers and principals who visited had an external hard-drive or a laptop with them. They were therefore able to copy the Sherig Collection (approximately 25–30 min), and take it back to their schools. The demand was so high, that at some point we had 4 or 5 disks attached to our computers at the same time!
 The Sherig Collection can be used in many ways. Students can be instructed to conduct research on a particular topic during the weekly IT session. A staff room computer can help teachers improve their lesson plans. One of the early adopting teachers of the Sherig Collection shared that he uses a projector to show students a Khan Academy video during class.It was a busy two days, with plenty of visitors, demos, downloading, and interactions. We have also collected wish lists for further improving the collection.
Educators who missed the Bajo fair and the earlier information session in Thimphu are welcome to visit us at the Rigsum Research Lab and obtain the collection.
The Sherig Collection Facebook group, intended for sharing information and experiences, already has over 100 members, including teachers, principals and other education/knowledge seekers. The group is fairly active and we invite teachers, librarians, principals, curriculum developers and anyone interested in getting their school or organization on board.
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The Sherig Collection Takes Off!
Several of the participants used the opportunity to copy the Sherig Collection to an external hard drive in order to install it at their educational organizations. We hope students and teachers at these institutions will soon enjoy the liberating power of learning! If you are interested in the collection for your organization, please email us at sherig@rigsum-it.com and schedule a time to visit our lab and get the collection. |
Launch of Rigsum Sherig Collection
An open information session and demo of the Rigsum Sherig Collection will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 10:00-12:00 at the Rigsum Institute of IT & Management in Thimphu. In this session, we will demonstrate the Rigsum Sherig Collection, explain how it can be used and obtained, and share information about the next phase of this project. Read more about the event, including answers to frequently asked questions. |
Work started on the Rigsum Sherig Collection
We have started to work on The Rigsum Sherig Collection, a unique educational resource that will be available to all schools, libraries, youth centres and community centres in Bhutan. Learn more about the Rigsum Sherig Collection. Teachers, instructors, librarians and administrators who are interested in learning more about the Rigsum Sherig Collection are requested to fill this form. |
Now operational: The Rigsum Café
The Rigsum Internet Café, developed by the Research Lab, has been launched. The Café is comprised of 4 computers running Windows XP in a safe and virus-free environment. Internet access is provided via a dedicated broadband connection. We have used a hard-disk protection technology which guarantees that users cannot install viruses or make any other permanent changes to the computer. On every reboot, the system returns to its originial configuration. Well into its 4th week of smooth operation, the cafe is being used by trainees and visitors. |
Moodle LMS Implemented at UWICE
The Rigsum Research Lab has completed the implementation of Moodle LMS at UWICE, including the training of faculty and staff. Read more about the project here. |   |
Wikipedia Bhutan: Phase 2 Completed
In the second phase of Wikipedia Bhutan project, the first batch of 15 trainees from the Rigsum Institute undertook nine 2-hour sessions at the Rigsum Research Lab (RRL) in order to become Wikipedia Editors. Eleven of the trainees completed the training successfully and created new Wikipedia articles, contributing to the freely-available world knowlege on Bhutan. The following trainees earned a Wikipedia Bhutan Certificate of Completion.
Here are some of the articles created by the trainees in this phase: |
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