Blenheim School Training Group Success!

Blenheim School held their last training on Tuesday morning, followed by their graduation that evening.  We were entertained by some amazing young people - sharing their music and dance.

A big thanks to Principal Denyse Healy for hosting Computers in Homes at Blenheim School and to Pam for all her efforts to support the learning during the 20 hours training.  And also for the help of Lapu in supporting pasifika families.

Kerri presenting flowers to Lapu, Denys and Pam.

Councillor Jenny Andrews and tutor Pam Stoneley
 presenting Pare with her certificate.

It was especially nice to have Di Daniels, National Coordinator for Computers in Homes visiting, as well as Councillor Jenny Andrews  - who was able to join us to speak to families and present certificates. 

Local support people, principals of hosted families, class teachers and graduates' families were able to come along and acknowledge the commitment and success of the families graduating and help them to celebrate their success, before heading home with their computers.  Great timing with the holidays coming up with time to learn what the computers can do!

Carol spoke of her motivation for
attending - her mokopuna,
and then she responded..

                         Well done to all of you!!!!

Success Story from Stoke School - It's All for the Children

Adriana during training

Adriana joined the training at Stoke School in Nelson, along with 26 other families.  Coming into her group of 9 was difficult for her, as she has agoraphobia, but her commitment to her two children - aged 7 and 14, helped her to overcome her fears.  

She shares this about her Computers in Homes experience.

My children were my total motivation for signing up for Computers in Homes Training.  I was very nervous at the start and it probably took 2-3 weeks to feel comfortable in the group.  Being held at our local school made it very easy – no bus or petrol costs and I was already dropping off the children anyway.  I couldn’t have guaranteed I would have made every session if it was further away.   During coffee breaks the kids would ask “What are you doing today?”  They wanted to come in and see what we were doing, they were intrigued.  It’s good for the kids to see all of us parents learning, doing something good for them, it’s really good.  By the end a lot of friendships had been made between us and also between our kids.

My children were excited to take the computer home after graduation and we had to set it up straight away.  My son is curious and asks so many questions that I don’t have answers to.  Now when he asks something I say “Actually I don’t know but we will go and google it and find out”.  It’s good and my son is thriving a lot more, learning to make a lot of different things from You Tube - not stupid stuff, actually looking at how to make boats, for example.  He is having to sound words out when he is googling things.  At school the kids have their own website with their own password and we can see what the school has put up there of what he has done.  They have had the website for two years and I haven’t been able to access it until now.  My son is really excited to show me what he does, and we can add comments and stuff and the teacher will look at it.

My daughter is busy showing me things she did at school each day.  All her reports are shared by email and in the past, were sent to one of my mates who would show me.  Now I can receive them myself and I can also make bookings for parent teacher interviews.  You can’t ring up and make bookings because it has to be done on the internet and I had missed out on two interviews.  Education is important and I need to know what is going on, how to help and now I can do that so much easier.  I can follow my son’s progress on his website and help him and my daughter with their homework, research and assignments.  It’s just amazing.  

Principal Pete Mitchener with
Adriana as she receives a copy
of the CiH Report where her
story is published and a webcab
to say thank you.

After the Computers in Homes course, I decided to carry on with Stepping UP – that was just great to have the opportunity.  I like practicing and going over things that are new.  All my notes sit beside my computer at home and when something goes wrong I go back to them.  I am learning things my daughter actually needs like bullet points, digital entertainment stuff and how to do slide shows.  Now I have done it I can help, it is so much easier for her because now when she comes home and says “Mum I need to do this”  I can go ”Right, this is how you do it”.   It has given me more confidence and I have learnt quite a bit more.  I’m really grateful that we had a chance to do the Stepping UP part.

Having a computer and the internet at home is going to help me because with my agoraphobia, I can now do courses on line.  I want to be an early childhood teacher or teacher aide but no course will accept me with absolutely no qualifications.  I need to go back and get my English and Maths from High School first.  So while I am getting help with my agoraphobia I can do the courses I need to so they are under my belt for when I am ready to start childhood teacher training in a few years.  

Now I have the internet and a computer it is going to make it easier.  I’d never have had a computer and the internet as I never could afford it.  So to receive one and it to be affordable was just awesome.  It is just great for our families, to be given the opportunity to help our children.

Increase to 2degrees data

Hi Everyone

Great news!!

From 1st April 2degrees is increasing the data you receive from 50G per month to 100GB per month. You still receive your unlimited YouTube when you go via www.youtube.com.

You don't have to do anything, this is just an adjustment 2degrees
will make at their end!!!

Happy surfing.    

Cheers Denise

Marlborough District Library - Term One Stepping UP Programme

Course Full? If a course you are interested in says it is 'FULL', please contact the Blenheim library on 03 520 7491. If there is enough interest they may be able to run courses again.

Term One courses are listed below. 

• (FULL) Computer Basics: (Beginner Level) Tuesday 16 February, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• (FULL) Computer Basics: (Beginner Level) Thursday 18 February, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Word One: (Beginner Level) Tuesday 23 February, 9.00-11.00 am Blenheim
• (FULL)Trademe: (Beginner Level) Thursday 25 February, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Word Two: (Intermediate Level) Tuesday 1 March, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• (FULL) Digital photos: (Intermediate Level) Thursday 3 March, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• Digital photos: (Intermediate Level) Tuesday 8 March, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• (FULL) Introduction to Family History: (Beginner Level) Thursday 10 March, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Email One: (Beginner Level) Tuesday 15 March, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• Introduction to Spreadsheets: (Beginner Level) Thursday 17 March, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Email Two: (Intermediate Level) Tuesday 22 March, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• (FULL) Intermediate Spreadsheets: (Intermediate Level) Thursday 31 March, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Facebook: (Beginner Level) Tuesday 5 April, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim
• Digital Design: (Intermediate Level) Thursday 7 April, 6.30-8.30 pm, Blenheim
• (FULL) Google and the Internet: (Beginner Level) Tuesday 12 April, 9.00-11.00 am, Blenheim.

Marlborough District Libraries delivers Stepping UP courses in partnership with the 20/20 Trust (Stepping UP) and REAP Marlborough.

Find out more about Stepping UP at the registrations page of the Stepping UP website.

Auckland Point School hosts its second Computers in Homes training

The first session got underway at Auckland Point School today and within the group are families from Nelson Central, Victory Primary, Hampden Street and Auckland Point Schools.  As part of the introduction we held a Skype session to share internet option information.  I tried to capture a snap, but unfortunately the photo is a bit reflective.  Maybe a screen shot would have been a better option.

I will post more photos from this group soon.  Enjoy!

Cheers Denise

Blenheim School is underway

After a beautiful summer, we are now settling down to new training.  Thanks to the efforts of Principal Denys Healy, tutor Pam Stoneley, tech James Riddell and Pasifika Advocate Lapu, we now have a training group started at Blenheim School.  It was great to meet you all last week and see the new group begin.  Good luck with all your new learning!!!

Tutor Pam Stoneley

Stepping Up Courses at Nelson Public Library

Hi Everyone in Nelson

Now the New Year is well underway and the children are back at school you may be ready to stretch those computer muscles you have.  Here is the schedule for FREE computer training being held at Nelson Public Library - Elma Turner Library or Stoke Library.

Elma Turner Library classes 10am-12pm
Mousing for beginners	Wednesday, 24 Feb
Word for beginners	Wednesday, 2 Mar
Basic internet skills	Thursday, 3 Mar
Library online	Thursday, 10 Mar
Library apps	Wednesday, 16 Mar
Research databases	Thursday, 17 Mar
Basic internet skills	Thursday, 24 Mar
Tablets	Thursday, 31 Mar
Newspapers online	Wednesday, 6 Apr
eBooks	Thursday, 7 Apr
Spreadsheets	Wednesday, 13 Apr
Social media	Thursday, 14 Apr
Minecraft for adults	Wednesday, 20 Apr

Classes must be booked by phoning 03 546 0414, emailing library@ncc.govt.nz or visiting Elma Turner Library.

Stoke Library classes 8.15am-9.15am
Basic internet 1	Thursday, 25 Feb
Basic internet 2	Thursday, 3 Mar
Email for beginners	Friday, 4 Mar
eBooks	Thursday, 10 Mar
Library online	Friday, 15 Apr

Classes must be booked by emailing library@ncc.govt.nz or visiting Stoke Library.

Important info

• Booking is essential as class size is limited
• Elma Turner Library classes are held in the Learning Centre
• Please leave your name and contact number if you wish to be on a wait list

Class info

MOUSE SKILLS

No computer experience required. For those who wish to gain confidence with using a computer mouse.

BASIC INTERNET

Learn how to access the web. Basic searching techniques and examples of useful and fun websites are given.

NEWSPAPERS ONLINE

Learn to search, read, email and print articles from NZ and international newspapers from the 19th century to the present.

LIBRARY APPS

Find out how to use our library apps to access magazines, newspapers and our library collection

RESEARCH ONLINE (FOR EXPERIENCED INTERNET USERS ONLY)

Search for information from many sources in the ‘deep web’not accessed by Google. Research databases are explored.

MINECRAFT FOR GROWNUPS

Learn to play one of the world’s most popular video games with other adults & parents.  Hands on experience, and we will answer any questions you may have about the game.

DIGITAL PHOTOS

Learn how to download and share photos from your camera and/or smartphone.

EMAIL BASICS

Set up an email account, send, receive, reply to emails and send attachments. Create folders and recognise SPAM.

EBOOKS

Learn how to access Overdrive to download books and audiobooks to your device.

INTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEETS

Learn how to use Microsoft Excel to create a simple spreadsheet.

TRADE ME

Create an account, browse topics, save auctions to your watchlist, send questions to sellers, reserve prices & list an item.

INTRODUCTION TO TABLETS

Learn how to touch, swipe, pinch hold and drag, connect to Wi-Fi, surf the web, install apps and eReading.