By Milt Kostner
…SIG’s…You probably know that HAL-PC offers over 75 Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings on every night, some afternoons and on Saturdays. These meetings are for groups of people interested in a particular subject. The SIG meetings are generally not formalized teaching sections, although by asking definite questions and listening to the answers and watching demos, you definitely will learn something about that interest.
In fact most SIG’s get turned off by the beginner’s request to “show me how I use this application” (from scratch). And Newbies (the traditional name for those new to an application) are so snowed by the buzzwords and quick actions that they frequently don’t even stay for the entire session.
…So what can Newbies do.?…Absolute beginners in a computing subject have three possible routes to getting started in its use. First one can read the friggin’ manuals. Unfortunately, manuals are usually written to cover every possible aspect of the operation of an application and it’s very easy to get lost.
The second way to get into it is to go out and buy how-to books generated for new users. I say books (plural) because it is usual that you’ll get stuck and have no one to answer your questions, and you’ll need to try another book for a different explanation.
The third way is to take a training course. This can be expensive, or the HAL-PC way. HAL-PC courses are taught by similar experienced teachers but they are volunteers (read that as NO PAY!) Some courses (Saturday DOS, Win95 Intro and the BBS) are lecture/demo courses and are free of charge. HAL-PC ‘s hands on course fees cover the cost of the workbook and a fair sharing of the cost of the individual hands-on computers and the classroom rent and utilities.
…Day classes as a tradition…As you will note in the current HAL-PC Magazine, HAL-PC has been offering daytime hands-on classes for many years, covering subjects such as Basic Intro into Windows, WIN95, Excel, Word, Word Perfect, PowerPoint and HTML Page Design. There is currently a morning shift and an afternoon shift of classes.
…Can’t attend…But what about those people who can’t attend daytime classes because of work schedules or childcare. How can we meet their needs? We have done something about that! The first evening class (Excel97 Module II) was initiated on June 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Follow-up classes in Excel97 Modules I and II, Win95 and Word 97 Module I were held in July on Monday through Thursday nights. The Module I classes are for absolute beginners and Module II through IV are more advanced.
…Need more info…Information and signup for these classes can be obtained from the HAL-PC Front Desk at 713-993-3300. Further, names are being placed on waiting lists for future unscheduled classes. These waiting lists will determine just what classes will be scheduled based on demand. We advise you to call in and add your voice to the scheduling process.
Information on scheduled classes is also posted on the bulletin boards at the HAL-PC Headquarters building.
…A slow start…Evening classes are currently limited to Monday through Thursday by current commitments. Our expansion into additional space offers a growth plan for an additional computer lab to potentially double available course openings, if demand dictates. If needed, the evening classes could go to two shifts: 6-8 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. It’s all up to you. HAL-PC can respond to the needs of its members.
…A need for instructors… However, concurrent with the growth of evening classes, there will be a need for addition volunteer instructors and teaching assistants. This is where our more experienced HAL-PC members or course graduates will be needed. If you understand the course contents, you can teach it. The burden cannot fall on only a few individuals. The best way to shore up your abilities with an application is to teach it. Even though I am an experienced Excel user, I still learned something teaching the course. Call Michelle at 713-993-3300 if you would like to help out as a teacher, or as an assistant. See you in class!
E-mail me at webmaster@hal-pc.org with any comments you have and tell me what you want to see here.