From turning it on to getting online this program has you covered
Computers have gone from filling a room to fitting in a pocket in many resident’s lifetimes. If you haven’t had the opportunity to learn how to best utilize the computer technology that we now have and want to, the Selkirk Adult Learning Program (SALP) has recently started running a Basics of Computers class that can help.
“It is a program that is for anybody who is quite new to computers or doesn’t feel confident. So, it is basic. It’s a small group and it is continuous intake,” said Adele Plett Bartel, Program Coordinator for the Selkirk Adult Learning Program.
She explained that there is some group work that is done together but that the program also allows time for learners to pursue their independent knowledge goals.
“We have basic computer skills as simple as switching it on and navigating a computer. We have keyboarding, and then we have internet basics because we know that’s essential in this day and age. Just navigating the internet doing searches, identifying what’s the opening page on the internet and identifying the browser all those things. Then there’s using email and communicating on the computer,” Plett Bartel said.
In addition to the skills that people need to get online, they can also help with resident’s offline computer learning needs.
“Saving documents, printing, just organizing things, and having a basic understanding of Windows 10. Those are the computer skills and we offer software skills for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Once you have those skills under your belt, you’ve moved to the software skills, then we have, we call it — using technology in everyday life — and we have a number of topics where they can choose two,” said Plett Bartel.
Those using technology in everyday life topics are: social media, information literacy, career search skills, telehealth appointments, your digital footprint and your safety and security.
Plett Bartel says that she’s seen computer skills be something that is an ongoing need in our community in the seven years she’s been in her position at the SALP. Though they have integrated computer work into their other programs, computer literacy itself has become increasingly important for people to learn.
“More and more people need to be digitally literate in this day and age. We know it’s a very definite need. So, we’ve had good support for this,” she said.
People don’t deserve to feel excluded because they haven’t had the opportunity in their lives to learn computer literacy skills and this program helps to fill that gap.
“If somebody is not digitally literate, they feel left behind. And they probably are left behind in some ways because so much (is digital now.) If you’re looking for employment, you need to look for a job or to submit a resume online, and then at the job itself, you may need to have some basic computer skills. So, for employment, it’s so essential. It’s also essential for things like banking, shopping and social events. I’m also thinking of seniors going online and finding activities. It’s connecting people. Obviously, social media does a huge, huge job of that, connecting people too,” she explained.
She says that it’s not just for people who have never touched a computer before but also for people who have had a computer for a while but get stuck and are tired of asking for help from family members or friends. The program is open to anyone who feels they need help with these skills or even just doesn’t feel confident with the basic computer skills that they do have.
“With the learners we’ve gotten the last little bit, watching their confidence grow and just recognizing they’re not alone (is great). We all have lots to learn on computers, but just gaining the confidence to try things and gain skills (is obviously the goal),” she said.
In addition to laptops running Windows and Microsoft programming, the SALP also has iPads which residents can use to learn on so people who come to the program don’t even need their own device to start learning.
It’s also easy to take these classes time-wise because residents don’t have to commit to a full multi-week course and can come for a period of time that works for them.
“There is no cost, and intake is continuous. Once they feel like they’ve met their goals they don’t need (to continue). We have people who feel like they’ve met their goals and so they (move on). You’re not making a time commitment more than you’re able,” Plett Bartel said.
As for signing up for this program, you can fill out a registration form online at the SALP website where you can sign up for many of the program’s classes. You can also call Plett Bartel at 204-904-8792 or email her at aplettbartel@lssd.ca for more information and to sign up.
If you are interested in upgrading math or language skills, Plett Bartel wants to remind residents that the SALP also has continuous intake for those programs as well.
“It’s for anybody who wants to upgrade skills, who never got their high school diploma and would like to go back and get it or anybody who maybe wants to go into a trade school or something, and they just need to, let’s say, upgrade their math. That’s who we work with. So, it’s a variety of people. Also, we are open to newcomers, because currently there are no (English as a Second Language) classes specifically in Selkirk that I’m aware of. So, we include newcomers in our literacy classes, especially the lower-level English speakers,” she said.
If you would like to learn more about the programs that the SALP has to offer visit selkirkadultlearning.wixsite.com/salp.
“Even if you’re not sure this is what you want, please give me a call, and I can answer your questions and see if it’s a good fit for you. And, you can also try. We’ve had some people who come and try the class once or twice, and then decide so we’re very open to that too,” Plett Bartel said.
