Lehava ProjectDecreasing the Digital Gap in

the Israeli Society

BackgroundThe State of Israel and the Ministry of Finance are putting an emphasis

on exposing citizens, in particular the future generation to the possibilities that exist in our technological and informative era.

Lehava was established by the Government (the Ministry of Finance) in

2002, in order to decrease the technological gap in Israel and to bring the new technologies to the low socio-economic cross-section and peripheral population of Israel.

Goals Leading, nationally wide, the decrease of the digital gap of the young generation. Improving the ability of youth and children who come from a low socio-economic cross-section, to become integrated in the Israeli society.

Providing the basic knowledge needed to operate a computer, as well as learning key software needed in the job market today. Required skills which are needed in order to promote education and welfare and to raise the quality of life.

Allowing citizens, in particular those who do not own a computer to use public computers with internet access.

Improving government and public services through the use of information resources. Lehava provides the guidance, assistance and encouragement to accomplice this goal.

Accessibility of educational sites and software targeting kindergarten, elementary and high school students, as well as language resources (encyclopedia, on-line dictionary and more).

Centers distributionNorth

SouthTirat Carmel

ZefatShfarman

Beit Shan

Netivot

Beer Seva

Ofakim

Migdal HaeemkBeit Shemesh

Nazerat

Rahat

Or YehudaRamle

The Centers’ Structure Each center has two classes with a total of 40 computers .

Each center has 4 qualified instructors and a manager with an

academic background and knowledge in computers .

8:00-22:00 Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday 8:00-13:00 Friday

14 hours a day- 310 hours a month

Activities CharacteristicsThe method of operation in the centers is professional and unique, based on 160,000 participants experience.

Guided internet use Internet use, accompanied by technical support from a team of qualified information

guides.

Group courses computer courses: Internet, Office and Graphical software.

Remote learningE-learning to the matriculation examinations, SATs , university preparation and driving

license Theory test. Club character activity

Organized groups, in the framework of workplace or healthcare institutions.

Lehava.gov.il

Each center has a mini-site, where information on courses , scheduled events, recent news and recommended sites is

published .

Lehava’s web site provides information on each course , including a syllabus and detailed written material, as well as

exercises .

Target AudienceLehava centers focus on children and youth who do not own

a computer and don’t have internet access.

Children and YouthKindergarten to high school (4-18)

Adults (20 -70+)

Released soldiers , students, adults, senior citizens, small business owners , unemployed , special populations,

new immigrants, single-parents.

Lehava Data Management All courses and users data are being managed by CAMPUS

software.

The systems enables real time monitoring and processing of the number of users, which courses they’re enrolled in

and number of courses in each center.

Every visitor has his own personal profile.

The system provides each course with a build in syllabus and attendance follow up.

The systems provides detailed reports on any educational or managerial aspect, according to the parameters required .

Local municipalities

Welfare departments

Community centers

‘A Computer For Every Child’ non profit organization.

Afterschool child care facilities.

Government employment agencies.

The Department of Immigrant Absorption.

Neighborhood Rehabilitation project; a governmental project

which promotes faltering populations .

Collaborations:

OfakimLocation - city in southern Israel ,20 kilometers west to Beersheba.

24,700 residents Ofakim has a development town status, 35% of its

residents are new immigrants, mainly from the former Soviet Union and from Ethiopia. 39.6% high school students have a matriculation

certificate Social-economic division: low -the fourth cluster out of ten.(4/10)

Quantitive Data

Weekly courses: 30-40 activities

Weekly visitors: about 1,000-1,200

Among them: about 800 children & 400 adults

Yearly visitors: about 52,000 a year

Courses: in 2008 161, among them 109 for children and 52 for adults Free Internet surf on a daily base

Center’s activity (Ofakim may-

2009)

08:30-15:00 - Elementary and High school 5 elementary schools and 1 high school 30 classes a week

15:00-19:00 - Kindergarten to high school 3 extra-curriculum studying activities (Photoshop ,E-Teacher, Interlect) 6 homework & guided Internet surfing activities 2 special needs education groups

19:00-22:30 - Adults 6 classes:

1 graphical software course 2 Internet courses 3 Office applications courses

Studies

Computer courses

)internet ,Office andGraphics)

Complementary education

Self study, including E-

learning

Culture and Leisure

Heritage Fun and games Communication

Quality of Life

Varity of workshops (e.g. info-

management, time & leisure

and more)

Assistance to unemployed

Individuals

E-Government Information

The Contents Fields

Kindergarten ages 4-5 Software and educational

computer programs

הסוד של מיה

עולמו של דובי

קידנט

האי של אלפי

בייבי גורדי בארץ הצעצועים

תוכנת הצייר

פיקו

Contents skills•Cultivating and enriching vocabulary•Improving reading and writing skills, as well as pre-elementary calculus.•Improving visual and hearing skills•Improving delicate motor skills- eye-hand coordination•Enhancing visual distinction,

concentration and patience

Computer skills•Getting acquainted with operating a computer • Coordination of simple computer operations•Running programs

Age-contents suitability

Example:

Governmental Info and Online Services

Revolutionary approach , expressed by:

Accessible information and services of governmental institutions from home.

Simple procedures and services.

Learning advanced technologies by the government for free.

Integrating E-Government in Lehava

Service - improving services to citizens- private and businesses alike .

Efficiency - saving resources and improving accessibility.

Clarity - straight forward information, data and procedures.

Integrating E-Government in LehavaThe main challenge is in assimilation of E-government services in the Israeli society. Making the citizens daily users of the E-government services through the web.

The process is implemented by the following tools :

E-government workshops

Gov.il tutorial in introduction courses.

Guiding and assisting E-gov info & services seekers .

Designed billboards for publicity and information.

Advertising and marketing