Using Computers in Educational Programs Association of Gospel Rescue Missions June, 2002

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Using Computers in Educational
ProgramsAssociation of Gospel Rescue
MissionsJune, 2002

• Andrew Sears
• Association of Christian Community Computer
  Centers
• Providing Skills to Make a Living and the
  Spiritual Foundation to Make a Life
• www.ac4.org or
• E-mail info_at_ac4.org

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Outline

• Why Computers in Education?
• Ideas for Computer Education
• Computer Classes, Computer Access, Computers
  Youth
• Resources for computer-based education
• Computer Based ABE/GED Training
• Training for Computer Skills

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The New Economy
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Association of Christian Community Computer
Centers

• Mission
• To support and promote the use of computers and
  technology in Christian outreach ministries
• To assist the 250 identified existing Christian
  community computer centers and help others get
  started
• To partner with national organizations to support
  Christian computer centers
• Web www.ac4.org
• E-mail info_at_ac4.org

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Use of Computers in Gospel Missions

• Computers as Part of Discipleship Program
• Computerized GED/ABE Training
• Computer Classes on Basic Computer Skills
• Current Focus Mostly Adults

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Who to serve with each program?
Discipleship Participants
GED/ABE
Computer Access
Computer Classes
Transient Homeless Population
Local Community
Youth
Adults
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Christian Community Computer Centers
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Tips for Basic Computer Classes

• Classes can easily be taught by volunteers
• Get more advanced students to assist in classes
• One instructor, 3-4 assistants and 20 students
• LCD projector is very helpful can get for 1,100
  from lightware.com
• Classes can be as little as once a week (good for
  most volunteers) with homework they do during
  walk-in lab period
• Typing can be taught with minimal instruction
  using supervised, scheduled time with Mavis
  Beacon Teaches Typing
• Curriculum/lesson plans available at www.ac4.org

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Office Track Classes
Basics
Intro to Computers 1 2
Intro to the Internet
Typing
Intermediate
Intermediate Word
Intro to Excel
Advanced Level
Word MOUS Test PREP
Excel MOUS Test PREP
(or start Track for Multimedia)
Databases
An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either
taking the class or good subject knowledge.
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Recruiting Volunteers

• Announcements in 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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Volunteer Ideas

• Instructors (if you are teaching classes)
• Need significant expertise in subject matter
• Primary responsibility for class falls on
  instructor
• Tech Professional in subject area who volunteers
  (or staff instructor)
• Assistants who have demonstrated their commitment
  and expertise
• Assistants/Mentors/Lab Monitors
• Assistants only need basic knowledge of subject
  matter
• Many students can return following semester to
  assist and continue learning
• Serve as instructor in training for new
  volunteers and provides ability to try it out to
  determine commitment level
• Help reduce the student-teacher ratio (need at
  least 15)

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Tips for Computer Access Center

• Provide free computer and Internet access
• High speed Internet connection is very helpful
• Allows students time to work on homework
• Can often be directly supervised by advanced
  students (with staff near by)
• Safety issues vary based on local situation

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After School Technology Time

• Integrate computers with other activities in
  after school program
• Black History Month, Scan in Art, Themes
• Project based learning works best
• Teaching software does not work without a goal
• We split K-2nd grade and 3-7th grade
• We use Jumpstart software with kids
• Youth Tech Curriculum
• Youth curriculum and resources at www.ac4.org

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After School Tech Curriculum Ideas

• Greeting cards we use Microsoft Publisher
• Research on the Internet
• Searched for poets and their poetry
• History of Hip Hop on the Internet. Present
  findings using PowerPoint
• Poetry taught formatting in Microsoft Word by
  having students write their own poems and then
  type them into Word.
• Students often need to compose poems before
  coming to computer
• Encyclopedia Africana do a Scavenger Hunt
  through the time line portion
• Calendars students scan in photos
• Newsletter written, edited, and laid-out by the
  students
• E-mail accounts and their own web pages
• Lego Mindstorm Robotics with programmable legos
  (300 per set)
• Suggestions and curriculum ideas provided by Mary
  Pavan and Chris Tsang from PREP Computer Center

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Other Ideas for Youth

• Computer Club
• Meet for tech projects or field trips
• Music Mixing
• Hip Hop eJay (www.voyetra.com)
• Acid Music (www.sonicfoundry.com)
• Youth Run Business
• Web Design, Graphics Design, T-Shirts, etc.
• www.prepenterprises.com

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Becoming a Certified MOUS Testing Center

• MOUS Certification in Microsoft Office
• Cost 495 to become a certified testing center
• comes with 10 test practice software
• Additional tests are 50 each
• To sign up call Alex McCabe at DDC Training
  Services (800-528-3897 ext. 315)
• ask for their application and order form to
  become an iQ Testing Center for MOUS Exams

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General Discounted Software

• AC4 Discounted Software Info Page
• www.ac4.org/resources/software.html
• Software to Serve Participants and Community
• Get 30 most Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec products
• At www.computmentor.org and at www.giftsinkind.org
  
• Software for staff
• Get copies of Microsoft Office XP Professional
  for 65
• Order at www.CCBNonprofits.com

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GED Training Software

• Innovative Learning Systems Nova
• www.ilsnova.com
• American Guidance Service
• www.agsnet.com
• Aztec Software
• www.aztecsoftware.com
• McGraw-Hill/Contemporary
• www.ntc-cb.com
• Plato Learning System
• www.plato.com
• Steck-Vaughn
• www.steck-vaughn.com
• Merit Software
• www.meritsoftware.com

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Online GED Test and Classes

• Free GED Practice Tests
• http//www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/GED/Regist.htm
• http//www.gedpractice.com/
• Online GED Classes
• Self-Study GED Materials http//www.free-ed.net/f
  r10/default.asp
• Free full online GED prep course
• GED Online http//www.gedonline.org
• Online self-paced instruction for GED students.
  An initial four-month tuition and registration
  fee of 50, then 10/month is charged.
• Maricopa Online Program www.rio.maricopa.edu/ci/p
  rograms/ged/start_ged.shtml
• This costs 25 to take the pre-tests, and 25 for
  each 14-week online course.
• OLT Online Training Institute
  http//www.oltraining.com/
• Online self-paced instruction for GED students. 
  A 150 tuition fee is charged  for each test prep
  area, or 600 tuition for all five tests.

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Computer Donations

• Gifts in Kind International (www.giftsinkind.com)
  
• Cost 125 to register and must be Non profit
  501(c)(3) and use software for service to
  community
• Cost 225 for 5 used computers 486 above
  laptops/desktops
• Network hubs for 50
• Provide great discounts (90 off) on office
  products, projectors, clothes, etc.
• Computer Refurbishing
• Accept computers along with clothes other
  donations
• Have a minimal acceptance standard (I.e Pentium
  or above)
• Request written agreement they are transfering
  software license with computer

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Information Resources

• Association of Christian Community Computer
  Centers
• E-mail List www.ac4.org
• Community Technology Centers Network
  www.ctcnet.org
• Good E-mail list and go to national conference
  each June
• Provides Community Technology Center start up
  manual
• Youth Learn www.youthlearn.org
• Provides manual and E-mail list for youth and
  technology
• Compumentor www.compumentor.org
• Provides technology information to non-profits
• Visit HUDs Neighborhood Networks at
  www.neighborhoodnetworks.org
• Adult Literacy E-mail Lists literacy.nifl.gov/for
  ums.html
• NTIA Report Falling through the Net
• www.digitaldivide.gov/reports.htm

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Joining AC4

• Join for free now, but may have a fee in the
  future
• Benefits
• Keep informed of events of interest to Community
  Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations
• Share program information
• Participate in future joint programs
• Low cost web design service
• Sign up on survey or send E-mail to info_at_ac4.org

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Appendix
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Web Site Filtering Software

• Filtering Service by Promise Keepers
  (pkfamily.com)
• 5.95 per month for existing DSL or cable modem
  connection
• Filtered dial-up Internet access for 15.95
• Filtering Server or Client Software
• CleanWeb (www.cleanweb.net)
• CyberPatrol (www.microsys.com)
• Cybersitter (www.solidoak.com)
• CyberSnoop (www.pearlsw.com)
• Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com)
• Net Shepherd (www.netshepherd.com)
• Safesurf (www.safesurf.com)
• Watchdog (www.sarna.com)
• We Blocker (free at www.we-blocker.com)
• X-Stop (www.xstop.com)

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Digital Divide
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Other Software for Adult Ed

• Curriculum Associates
• Math Software
• www.curricassoc.com
• Good list of software (National Adult Literacy
  Database)
• http//www.nald.ca/netlinks/resource/res13.htm