Computer courses Help.

I am to be starting to run an adult computer course up the local Dropin Center once some work is completed up there and I can set up a computer room.

It will be proberly twice a week.

I will be doing the course set up as three steps.

Step 1 will be for the adults who have never even touched a computer,so this will be a total start from the begining.

Two of my students I know have never used a computer.

Step 2 for those who can use a computer but possibly lack skills in some areas such as Office,AV,s,Word,etc.

Step 3 will be for computer repairs such as reinstalls,fitting a hard drive,RAM and so on.But this will be basic and general teaching.

Nothing will be on the scale of building a computer from scratch or how to regedit etc.It will be basic help and how to.


I know step 1 and 2 will proberly over lap on some subjects.

I need a little help on organisation.

Example:

Step 1 will start how to turn on a computer and logon,how to install an AV,how to uninstall software,setting up MSN.Basic.

Step 2 I have been asked to include how to use FaceBook.Using Office,how to scan a computer via diffrent methods such as CCleaner,disk cleanup,defrag and so on.

Step 3 is hardware and software but will be delt with on what my students put to me.If they ask a how to then I will teach them it.


Ok what I am asking is a little help on what to teach in step 1 and what I should teach in step 2?

A compiled list.

Any idea,s on what to include?

Please remeber these are adults who will need the help and I need to print out some sheets on what the basic courses will include.

Thankyou guys and girls.

 

I will give this some thought as I am sure will others. One thing I noticed is that request to include "Office" in your lessons. That is one big add on and can take up the whole course.

 

Office will again be basics.

If it is not kept to a basic I could spend all my time stuck teaching it.

If the courses go well then maybe we could do a more informative course for those who excell in being taught.But for now it is simply how to send an email,make and save a word document.

If all goes well then maybe a higher level of courses can be taught.

 

Hi

I have done this a couple of times for some local veterans and seniors. I would start with some basics about the PC. What is a CPU, Hard Drive, Memory, Operating System, and so on. Then build from that.

What does it mean "to connect to the internet?" What is the differnece between AOL and MSN? A lot of basics. The OS vs. the application. To be sure you have to avoid drilling down too much but it makes people feel more comfotable when they know how the pieces fit together. For the uninitiated users they typically learn one way to do something and then get flustered when that doesnt work. So you might keep that in mind. Don't say you can do it this way or taht. Try to show them the most reliable method. I also emphasize the importance of back ups for those photos and so on right away.

I found that the vets were particulary interested in social networking and media Facebook, iPod, and iTunes for example.

So in any event I start with Computer 101 and definitions so we are all on the same page, then I build from there. One final note. I always emphasize that a PC is just a machine, like a toaster and it has no special powers or magical abilities, and it is pretty hard to break it. Most problems are software related not hardware, and the iinternet is the greatest resource for problem solving if you learn how to use it!

 

Thanks for the input but some of that is beyond my soon to be students capabilities for now.

I was looking at this possibly wrongly in some ways.

Step 1 is for those who have no computer knowledge at all.

It would include how to switch on and logon.
How to open a webpage.
How to update via Microsoft updates.
Firewall.
AV,s.


Once more secure in themselves to using a PC which would also include how to plug in a mouse/keyboard.Then I would teach them how to surf the internet.How to job search.

So as you can tell very basic stuff.

Step 2 for those who already know the first steps.

But they maybe able to surf the internet but I find not safetly.

They stated they wanted to know how to use add and remove.
Functions of FaceBook.
MSN options.
Safer surfing.
Softwares.
general software,internet surfing,and possibly updating and installing diffrent items.

Step 3 is for those who wish to learn about hardware,drivers,how to replace a hard drive,how to format and a few command prompts and how to fix very simple computer issues.

The actual requests on what they wish to learn is a lot longer but you get the general drift?

So I am looking at Step 1.

Catagories with sub catagories.

Same with other steps.

I also need to list it in such a way as not to make the students feel they are being treated like a child.

Also to write instructions for some is not appropriate it will be oral help for some.

Sorry if I aint explaining myself very good.,

 

Jelly,
a usefull thing to try to get computer newby's to grasp is file and folder structure, Knowing where all that text etc goes to when they save and where to go to get it back.
So simple but I have done something like this with a senior relative and until they grasp this, Word is a Black Art !

 

I think one of your main concerns, is that with Vista out and even Windows 7, you might be teaching to an audience that use a mixture of the 3 main Windows versions and it will be impossible to show them how to do everything in each one.

I understand that all your machines will be running the same, but if they have a different OS at home, they wouldnt be able to relate to the instructions, especially with the quite large difference between XP and Vista. Vista - Windows 7 isnt too bad.

 

It looks like only Vista and XP at the moment.

That the computers up the Dropin Center are the above.

Although I will have to check the XP is up and running and clean before usage.

I did think to add transfering files via USB pen drive,disk and floppy.

Networking will be out of there legue at this moment in time.

Step 1 is general how to turn on,use files folders and well simple instruction.

What I need is a list for each step.

But must not make it so I am teaching kids or treating adults as if they are kids.

 

"...you might be teaching to an audience that use a mixture of the 3 main Windows versions and it will be impossible to show them how to do everything in each one" . So true!

But between all of them, there still seems to be some 'common ground' when it comes to doing things. Whereas an old computer may not have the quick access to things that newer ones do, most new computers can still access things the same way as the old ones, even though it's a 'slower method'?

As others mentioned - one basic step at a time - toss in a great sense of humour and poof, you've a class everyone will have fun at while learning.

-How to start and safely shut off computer and screen.

Safety on the Internet
-How to wander the internet safely (gentle suggestion ... provide each with basic written hand-out of free programs they can use ... eg. One firewall, one anti-virus, one anti-malware and one anti-spyware.

- How to download, scan, open and install anti-malware programs

Communication
- Basics about using emails (opening, saving, re-opening, etc)
- Add people to Address Books, how to back up address book

Text
How to find a program so they can practice writing, saving and opening text. (You may find a lot of older people wish to write 'journals' on their computer, so please teach them how to save copy as frequently while typing away - and, of course, how to back up onto a thumb-drive (thumb drives are easier to use than burning CDs, etc).

Socializing
As our cwall583 mentioned in more detail, social things are often the true magic of computers for so many people.

And because many seniors are on a bitterly tight budget, for some the joy of being able to talk to their friends via free GoogleTalk may make the effort of teaching them how to use it worthwhile. (Again, hand-outs at the end of the day so they have reference material).

In the end, although many people really do enjoy coping with computer woes (and good thing too or we'd have no Techs!! Eep!!), many simply want to have fun - and perhaps this will be your group



There seems to be some very common common thread between most computers though, no matter a Windows 98XP or Windows 7

 

At last I am getting what I need.

I am friendly and fun with people so that will work.

Thankyou guys/girls keep them coming.