Informatics applied to reforce cultural identity: The case of the Nam Qom community in La Plata

Abstract

The Computer Science Faculty of the National University of La Plata has been actively working on a project named "The neighborhood goes to the University", since 2007. It was born with the aim of reducing the digital divide in vulnerable sectors of society, focusing mainly on girls, boys and young people. The continuous interaction with this target people throughout these years, has made it possible to identify other problems and needs that affect these sectors. The name that the project currently has is proof of this. In 2010, the project takes that name because it incorporates another objective related to bringing these sectors closer to the university, in order to try to incorporate into their imaginary the possibility of continuing to study a university degree. In the middle of 2012, the Ntaunaq Nam Qom Civil Association (Nam Qom Community) of the Malvinas neighborhood of the city of La Plata joined the project, integrating the group of non-profit civil associations with which it had been working on literacy digital. The computer training carried out in this association was very particular from its beginnings, since it took into account the demand of its leaders: people who belong to the native Qom community. They proposed to carry out digital training with a perspective of revaluing the identity of their community. Based on this demand, the computer-based technology proposal in this association was designed by planning digital activities that promote, encourage and allow the strengthening and revaluation of Nam Qom worldview and their language: qom la'actac. Some examples of these activities can be seen in works done on legends, songs, qom la'actac and games. This design allowed addressing computer science concepts applied to a particular social demand, even starting with advanced topics such as the teaching of programming and computational thinking, considering that children are not only consumers, but also producers of content that are adapted to their interests and needs. It is important to highlight the collaboration of community leaders who actively work on didactic and methodological proposals, designed and used for girls and boys between 6 and 12 years old. This article aims to tell the different computer activities carried out with girls and boys from a community belonging to a native people that actively works towards the revaluation of its identity and culture.