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Original query from Beverly Hincks, Encore Seniors' Education Centre,
St. Lawrence College Each term we offer 4 - 6 computer classes ranging
from very basic (Computers for Chickens: Starting from Scratch), through
Intro. To Windows, to more advanced courses on word processing or spreadsheet
applications, and Internet. One comment that all the many volunteer leaders
have made is that many students over- or under-estimate their computer
skills and end up in a class that is frustrating for them, or boring.
Although we have a set of informal questions we ask when trying to direct
them to the best class for their skill level, we don't seem to be batting
a thousand. Is there anyone out there using some sort of screening process
that they are happy with, and willing to share with us? Any comments in
this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all who respond!!
From Dick Di Vecchio, Lifetime Learners Institute, Norwalk CC, CT
There is no way. We have discontinued our computer courses except for
a couple of Internet courses because too many people classify themselves
as computer proficient when in fact they are not. It appears that the
hardest thing to teach people is the use of the mouse, so even in our
Internet courses we require a proficiency in that regard. Instead of our
own computer courses, we made arrangements with the college to teach a
basic "Word" course with an experienced teacher. The college course costs
more than our courses used to, but they are substantially less than similar
courses in other institutions ($80 for eight 2-hour sessions as opposed
to an average of $150 to $250). Not too helpful I'm afraid, but it's the
truth from our prospective.
From Mary Thompson, Royal Leamington Spa, U.K.
We recruit other interested members to help out in class and move from
person to person as needs arise and assist. This reduces the frustration
level of everyone and allows the leader to continue along without too
many long waits. Our problem is over-enrollment for our classes, so we
allow standbys who can fill an empty seat after the class is ready to
start and even sometimes two work at one station and this seems to keep
everyone happy. And for those who like to assist they can always get into
class. This accords exactly with our experience here in Royal Leamington
Spa, UK. I wrote it up in more detail for a response to someone off-list,
but maybe I should have posted it to EINFORUM.
From Tom Holloway, U3A, UK
Yes, the mouse is way too small for our stiff hands. Too bad there isn't
a senior mouse out there
some where. That would really help a lot. Almost the first thing we give
new oldies is our 'Short-cuts for stiff fingers' guide. I can send it
in WORD or PDF to whomever would like it --but off-list I think.
From Fiona Clark, McGill LLI, Montreal
First, thanks to all who responded to my enquiry re peer help in computer
teaching. Second, re Beverley's enquiry about screening, our only experience
at MLLI is with a course I have been leading on Using the Internet to
prepare Presentations. We stated that people had to be already able to
use the mouse and Windows and that seems to have worked. As expected,
there was a wide variety of experience among participants, but I think
everyone learned a lot and no one seemed frustrated. I don't know if you
will find this useful, but my personal experience is that in any class
of adults (not necessarily seniors) it is better to have everyone watch
while you demonstrate, and then follow it up with exercises where people
can work at their own speed (people will also help each other at this
time). Often computer teachers have everyone copy them step by step on
their own computers, and that can make it very difficult to keep everyone
happy, since you either progress at the pace of the slowest or someone
will get left behind.
From Helen Ackerman, Elderstudy, Mary Washington College, VA
Hello out there to all you "Computer Users." We have been having
2-hour sessions about once a month in one of the computer labs at Mary
Washington College for about two years. We call it "Computers for Aging
Children" and try to give a program title in the calendar of classes that
will identify the subject or level of instruction for each class. We have
had some of the same problems described in this correspondence--difficulty
in screening for level of competence, strategies for teaching, and how
to utilize those with more advanced skills. We try to limit the class
size so that every student has access to a computer so participants register
by phone to make sure there is a place for them. After that we leave it
up to the professional teacher who provides the instruction for a small
honorarium ($50 each two-hour session) with about 15 students. Our members
do not pay an extra fee for the instruction. That is covered by our general
budget for instruction. There has been considerable interest in computer
instruction, and I feel that we could expand the program. I would like
to know if those of you in other colleges are using your host institution's
equipment or do you have a computer lab just for seniors? Also, in those
cases where you are offering an 8-session course, is there a text for
the course, and is that included in the fee for the course?
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May 12, 2008
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