I was lucky enough to be invited to tutor two of the Digital Unite community programmes in 2008. The programmes, sponsored by Virgin Media, supplied two PCs and a year's worth of free broadband to sheltered housing schemes. To encourage residents to use the equipment a Digital Unite tutor was also part of the package.
I tutored at Hartley Court, New Hartley and Ferndale Court, Consett, spending a day each week at each site for seven weeks. In each case I worked mainly with complete beginners, although there are some more proficient users at each site who are keen to help their friends learn.
Some users were understandably nervous but soon gained in confidence as I gradually showed them how to switch the PC one and off and then to manipulate the mouse. The training materials provided by Digital Unite included some fun exercises so that learning the basics was as interesting as possible.
People without access to computers and the internet are frequently at a disadvantage - unable to get the best deals from energy providers and to book cheap holidays. So we quickly moved on to exploring the internet, reading the news from the BBC, watching programmes on the iPlayer and looking for familiar places on Google maps. One lady is very interested in all aspects of crafting and makes her own greetings cards. We quickly found a website containing verses for cards and she practised printing them to insert into her cards.
One of the more experienced learners was already confident surfing the net but was cautious about shopping on-line. We talked about the issues of security and looked at the websites of some of the biggest on-line retailers.
Some learners were keen to be able to e-mail friends and family. Many have relatives abroad and wanted a cheap way to communicate. I set them up with Google Mail accounts and soon they were sending their very first e-mail. It was truly thrilling when they got a reply!
After the tutoring sessions finished I spent a day at each site encouraging them to continue using the PCs. At each site "computer caretakers" volunteered to keep an eye on the PCs and to change printer cartridges, etc. They also hope to set up computer clubs or to find volunteers to continue with tutoring or mentoring.
You can see some photos from the community programmes at:
Call 01670 362700
Email tutor@annedonnelly.co.uk
I can't praise our tutor, Anne, high enough. She was very patient to someone who didn't know one
end of the computer from the other.
Learner at Ferndale Court, Consett
Anne was excellent and well versed in what she was teaching, great people skills.
Learner at Hartley Court, New Hartley
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Anne also provides IT services and consultancy through her company Anne Donnelly Associates Ltd