LEARNLINK'S ROLE
LearnLink is working in Santa Cruz del Quiché, the capital city of Quiché depart-ment, where teachers receive training in the local Mayan languages of K’iche’ and Ixil. Plus, culturally and linguistically appropri-ate learning information is collected, organized, and digitized in a CD-ROM format, and training materials are developed for use in the four teacher training schools in the region. LearnLink will install a computer center in each training school that will use information, education, and communication technologies (IECTs) for training bilingual teachers.

LearnLink's Proyecto "Enlace Quiché" (Quiché Networking Project) aims to: develop culturally appropriate Mayan language learning materials; build skills in computer hardware maintenance and product use; strengthen teachers™ proficiency in Mayan languages; enhance student learning with early childhood activities; and build capacity within the larger community.

Mayan Language Resources
To develop a core set of materials, local staff are setting up a network of people and institutions—schools, NGOs, government institutions, and other USAID projects—for sharing and exchanging resources. LearnLink also is developing methods for collecting information, cataloguing collections of K’iche’ and Ixil language materials, adapting materials, and formatting in a digital form. The main office in Santa Cruz will offer a library of books, magazines, and other items that will serve as the main reference resource for teachers and administrators. As part of the preparatory process, LearnLink is exploring potential partnerships with private computer training schools, such as Colegio Utatlán, Academia Go Computación, and Academia Tecnologia Viva. The capacity building effort will include provision of workshops and training sessions on hardware maintenance and product use.