Basic Computer Classes

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Basic Computer Classes

• Liza Cagua
• TechMission

www.techmission.org 617.282.9798
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Model for Computer Classes

• Classes can easily be taught by volunteers
• Get more advanced students to assist in classes
• One instructor, 2-4 assistants and 10-20 students
• Classes are taught with instructor using LCD
  projector
• Classes can be as little as once a week (good for
  most volunteers) with homework students do during
  the week
• Typing can be taught with minimal instruction
  using supervised, scheduled time with Mavis
  Beacon Teaches Typing
• Curriculum/lesson plans available at
  www.techmission.org

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Curriculum for Computer Classes

• TechMission offers in-depth Intro to Computers
  curriculum in English and Spanish
• TechMission Manual contains curriculum for Intro
  to Word and Excel
• AC4 has dozens of additional lesson plans for
  teaching computers at www.techmission.org
• Includes Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc.
• Includes lessons for youth and adults
• Using Theology to Teach Technology by Clemmie
  Perry
• Find more at http//www.etrainingconsult.com

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TechMission Curriculum Intro to Computers

• This curriculum spells out a lot, but it assumes
  that teacher is beyond a basic familiarity with
  computers
• lots of verbal explanations are not written out
• walk-through of activities must be done
• Teacher must be patient with new learners
• Try to never touch the mouse!
• Never assume someone knows where an icon is, or
  what something is or how it works
• Dont expect to cover everything in the class
  plan!

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TechMission Curriculum Intro to Computers
(cont.)

• Teachers Guide outlines plan, but make sure you
  do everything beforehand!
• Thoroughly understand lesson
• Save files locally or on server test
  projector/computers/printer
• Make handouts
• Save at least 30 minutes to prep for class
• Go over material with assistants beforehand

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TechMission Curriculum Intro to Computers
(cont.)

• Use pretest to know how to target your
  classwhere to start and at what rate you expect
  to cover material
• Student Manual is handed out in weekly pieces
  student has completed binder at end
• Homework is a similar exercise to what was
  covered in class, to be done at home and reviewed
  during the next class
• Use the post-test!

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Developing Your Students
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Basis of TechMission Leadership Development Model

• People Remember
• 10 of what they read
• 20 of what they hear
• 30 of what they see
• 50 of what they see and hear
• 70 of what they discuss with others
• 80 of what they experience personally
• 90 of what they teach to someone else

From psychologist William Glasser
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TechMission Leadership Development Learning
Model
Learn
Assist
Replicate
Teach
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TechMission Leadership Development Model

• Students take a computer class then become
• Assistants who then assist in teaching a class
  and may take advanced classes and then become
• Instructors who then teach a class and train
  assistants and may become
• Interns who help run programs and teach classes
• The folks in your classes are an auto
  replenishing volunteer base!

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Recruiting Volunteers

• Make announcements in other Churches for Tech
  Volunteers
• Computer Ministries
• Computer ministries are teams of volunteers from
  churches or staff that support community computer
  centers
• Online volunteer recruitment
• Like online job posting for volunteers
• No way to limit inquiries to Christians only
• Register opportunities at volunteermatch.org,
  volunteersolutions.org, servenet.org and
  idealist.org

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TechMission Volunteer Training Model

• Have required volunteer training each semester
• Three parts of training
• Program Overview and Vision Setting
• Explain what we do, and the motivation to build
  vision
• Details of program and expectations of
  volunteers
• Train the Trainer
• Provides basics needed for teaching and being
  assistants
• Cross-Cultural Ministry Training
• Required each semester for all volunteers