More Computer Training Available - FREE!!!

Hi Everyone

If you are ready for more computer learning, there are lots of great Stepping UP training topics being offered at your local libraries.  Classes are free, and anyone in the community over 16 years of age can attend (not just Computers in Homes families!).  You can register at the library or on-line at
http://steppingup.org.nz/, using the "Courses" drop menu and choosing "Nelson-Marlborough Courses". Make sure the name of the library you want  is in the brackets after the course name.

Here are the timetables for Nelson and Blenheim libraries.

Nelson Public Library

	Date	Time	Length	IDS No./ Library	Intro Digital Step Name
Week 1	Thurs 16 Oct	10am-12pm	2hrs	1	Mouse & Comp Basics
Week 2	Tues 21 oct	1-2.45pm	2hrs	4	Email 1 - Setting up
	Thurs 23 Oct	10am-12pm	2 hrs	Lib	Basic Internet
Week 3	Tues 28 Oct	1-2.45pm	2hrs	5	Email 2 - using Email
	Thurs 30 Oct	10am-12pm	2hrs	2	Word 1
Week 4	Tues 4 Nov	1-2.45pm	2hrs	7	Net Safety & Security
	Thurs 6 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	3	Word 2
Week 5	Tues 11 Nov	1-2.45pm	2hrs	12	Employment 1
	Thurs 13 Nov	5.30-6.30pm	2hrs	Lib	Intro to eBooks
	Thurs 13 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	Lib	Research databases
Week 6	Tues 18 Nov	1-2.45pm	2hrs	13	Employment 2
	Thurs 20 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	18	Intro to Tablets
Week 7	Tues 25 Nov	1-2.45pm	2hrs	14	Intro to Spreadsheets
	Thurs 27 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	17	Into to Social Media
Week 8	Tues 2 Dec	1-2.45pm	2hrs	15	Home Finances
	Thurs 4 Dec	10am-12pm	2hrs	11	Trade Me

Tasman District Library, Richmond

	Date	Time	Length	IDS No.	Intro Digital Step Name
Week 1	Wednesday 5 Nov	1-3 pm	2hrs	1	Computer Basics
	Friday 7 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	2	Word 1
Week 2	Wednesday 12 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	3	Word 2
	Friday 14 Nov	1-3 pm	2hrs	1	Computer Basics
Week 3	Wednesday 19 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	1	Computer Basics
	Friday 21 Nov	1-3pm	2hrs	12	Employment 1
Week 4	Wednesday 26 Nov	1-3pm	2hrs	13	Employment 2
	Friday 28 Nov	10am-12pm	2hrs	1	Computer Basics
Week 5	Wednesday 3 Dec	10am-12pm	2hrs	4	Email 1
	Friday 5 Dec	10am-12pm	2hrs	14	Intro to Spreadsheets
Week 6	Wednesday 10 Dec	1-3pm	2hrs	5	Email 2
	Friday 12 Dec	10am-12pm	2hrs	15	Home Finances

Marlborough District Libraries, Blenheim

Tuesdays 9.00am-11.am
21 October	Computer Basics
28 October	Computer Basics
4 November	Email 1
11 November	Email 2
18 November	Word 1
25 November	Word 2
2 December	Computer Basics

Picton Library and Service Centre

 

Tuesdays 9.00am-11.am
29 October	Computer Basics
5 November	Word 1
19 November	Email 1
26 November	Computer Basics
3 December	Word 1

 

These are short training sessions with friendly and helpful tutors and you can choose which topics you would like to attend.  Register now and good luck with your new learning!!

 

Cheers

Denise

Great News from Snap

If you have been into your Snap account recently you will have noticed that your monthly allowance has been increased from 30Gb to 50 Gb - at no extra cost to you!!!  Way to go Snap!!!

Cheers
Denise

Andrew Dooley shares his story.....

Andrew is a solo parent of three children ranging from 6 to 15 years, most attending Victory Primary School in Nelson, and was hosted by Auckland Point School for his Computers in Homes training.  I interviewed him recently about his "Computers in Homes experience" and here are some of his thoughts.

“I got on board the CIH course because once I heard there was a course for parents to possibly get a computer in their house, I didn’t have to think twice about it, I wanted to be on that course and since having the computer in the house it has benefited the kids something, leaps and bounds they have gone in just their learning alone.”

He has noticed benefits for all of his family.  He is able to connect with his children’s school daily through their website.  “I just didn’t realise, there were lots of things I was missing out on.” His children’s teachers email if there are any issues at school and a lot of times the children arrive home and he says “well what have you been up to today” and they say “how do you know?”  So he is able to address situations early on.  The school is starting to ask what is happening at home because they have noted positive changes to one child’s behaviour.  Andrew puts it down to the computer – “if you don’t understand it you feel like an idiot in class, it is easier for you to get kicked out of class…. But since the computer has been at home my son says what he is having trouble with and we look it up and go right back at the start level and by the time he goes back to school he has got the gist of what to do.  He’s gone ahead in the last 6-7 weeks.  It’s like fuel on the fire, they all want to learn more.  I really went to school to eat my lunch, but I want my kids to love school, so anything they have got qualms about we just go and check it out together.”

Andrew has found this course has also benefited himself.   He says he now walks taller, with confidence, and where he would shy away when ‘pen and paper’ were put in front of him he will now give it a go.  He is finding that being able to write something and push a button which will correct all mistakes is encouraging .  He is noticing if he spells a word wrong he makes an effort to see how it looks and believes his reading has improved “big time”.

As a coach of a rugby league team, Andrew has used his new gmail account to send bulk emails to his team, saving time and reducing phone costs.  He also googles well known league coaches to get ideas about drills to use and to understand what their purpose is “The training has gone from being boring and now is exciting because I have more understanding to break down everything I am doing and can explain what the benefit for the team are.  It has made me a better coach, a better person.”

“It has really opened my horizons.  It allows me to interact with my children and you don’t have to be the smartest person to use the computer.   It’s great to be able to support my kids.”

When asked about the training itself he said “I would push for anybody to get on there and do the course.  Heather, the tutor, was awesome.  She had a way of putting into the words for anybody, she’s really good like that.  You just ask anything, and she will show you the little secrets if you have gone in too far and you’re not sure what to do.  Which is just awesome!!   I really loved it.”  He acknowledged how welcoming the host school had been and how comfortable he felt entering the school and training there.   “I felt they  were really really cool people.”  

Andrew expressed his thanks to everyone involved, for giving him this opportunity which he sees has been a blessing for himself and his kids. He sees they have changed and he also feels more confident in the things he does.  He says “As parents we have got obligations and we’ve got to step up to the plate for our children – so seize this opportunity.  It is awesome!”

Andrew with his son - receiving a webcam from Computers in Homes

Stepping UP is moving into libraries!!

Hi

We are in that on again off again season, where we shift between winter and spring continually and everyone seems to come down with bugs.  I hope this isn't the case for you - personally or computer wise!!
Classes are continuing on at Stoke School and I have enjoyed receiving emails and attachments from families during their sessions.

Stepping UP for CiH Families

For those of you looking to extend your skills further, after Computers in Homes training we have a programme called 'Stepping UP'. It is a topic based approach with 17 modules to choose from.  Computers in Homes families can select up to four topics they are interested in and receive the training at no cost to themselves.  Talk to your tutor about this.

Stepping UP in Libraries

We are also collaborating with libraries to offer revised and reduced Stepping UP modules to the general public.  Marlborough District Libraries trialled this last term with great success.  Now we are able to offer Stepping UP in other libraries across our Nelson/ Marlborough region. 

Classes will be held in Marlborough at:-

• - Marlborough District Libraries in Blenheim and
• - Picton Library and Service Centre in Picton            

Classes will be held in Nelson at:-

• - Tasman District Library in Richmond and
• - Nelson Public Libraries in Nelson

Please check out the options for this training on our website Stepping UP.  These are free classes and available to everyone, so please spread the word and take advantage of this opportunity.

Wishing you healthy times and a bucketful of spring flowers.

Cheers 
Denise

PS Watch this space - we hope to offer a Tips section in our blog in the near future, thanks to our wonderful Nelson technician, Tim!!

All Set to Go!

Hi Everyone

Stoke School is now under way - with three classes starting this week.  There are sessions Monday and Wednesday mornings and one on Tuesday evening.


Pete Mitchener

Thanks to Pete Mitchener, principal at Stoke School for supporting families and the Computers in Homes programme.  Stoke School is also hosting some families from Nelson Christian Academy, Nayland College and Nelson Intermediate.  Welcome to all.

It has been lovely to attend the first sessions of each of the classes and meet the families participating.

Graduation has been set for October 22nd, so remember to keep that evening free!!

Monday's group checking out their internet options before putting their computer systems together!

Tuesday evenings group.



Angela is connecting all the cables to set up her computer. 

There will be 10 weeks of classes and then our Stoke families will be taking a computer like this one home for their family to use. The time will go very fast!!

 

Have fun and enjoy the learning!!!

 

Cheers

Denise