Another 'Log On' programme success

Certificates were presented recently to participants in the latest 'Log on and Learn' course at Cross & Passion College, in which Transition Year students teach members of the wider community how to deal with computers, writes Brian Byrne.

With 11 participants in this latest course, it means that that number of people are now less afraid of using computers in the community of Kilcullen.

And the youngsters who taught them also got a real hands-on experience in communicating with older people, and helping them deal with the computer revolution that is now something all-pervasive in their lives.

"It was very successful," says course coordinator Glenda Groome. "It was really quite intensive. Instead of the one class a week for eight weeks, we decided to do it twice a week for four, and that worked out much better. The students and tutors bonded very well."

It's the third year that TY students from CPC have participated in the 'Log on and Learn' initiative, and Glenda says both the tutors and the people who come in to learn gain a great deal in self-confidence during the courses.

"A great camaraderie develops between all the members of the group, and in fact so many pupils wanted to sign up as tutors that we are running two more courses, as well as one with the Camphill Community."

Suggesting that many commercial computer courses don't work for older people because they are afraid that they'll have to answer questions on their work, Glenda says the 'Log on and Learn' initiative is a much more 'positive experience' for those who come on board. "It's one to one, and if they miss a week, or want to go over something again, it doesn't matter. They can pick it up again later."



Participant Mick Maher said he was delighted with what he had learned. "Before this I could read an email that somebody had sent me on the family computer, but I didn't know how to send one, or how to attach documents," he said. "That, and other things, mean that I can use a computer to make a lot of things a lot easier, like organising motor tax and other things on line instead of having to queue at a desk."

The presentation of certificates didn't have all participants there because of the inclement weather.