computer skill training
Community Development Project, Technology Coordinator
Organization:
HELP of Ojai VISTA Name:
James (Jim) Mora
Program Start:
6/2007
Program End:
6/2008
Project Description:
HELP was recently given control of a 42-acre site (11 acres agricultural land, 80,000 sq.ft of buildings in varying states of usability and open space) of a former Honor Farm/jail complex in order to meet the growing needs of our aging community.
VISTA members will work with HELP staff and community members to transform the jail into a community resource center. The project is large and includes development of broadband access for the full 42 acre site, technical assistance for the organization as a whole, development of expanded programming for our CTC, expansion of our digital storytelling project and website development to improve accessibility for those who are vision impaired.
Community Networking: with staff, finalize negotiations to provide broadband access at the former jail site. Develop outreach materials to promote broadband services. Work on e-newsletter and other materials to encourage resource use.
Technology Assistance: With IT Director, assess current staff technology capabilities and identify and provide training resources in use of basic computing tools, including Microsoft Office, email, security and backup procedures. Assist in equipment/software selection as lab is upgraded
Digital Media: coordinate Digital Storytelling program that matches seniors and teens while collecting life stories. Document transformation of “jail to jewel”. Recruit and train volunteer instructors as well as program participants
Access and Inclusion: Work with webmaster to streamline website and improve accessibility for those with disabilities. Manage open access hours at computer lab.
Project Outcome:
Vista volunteer developed our agency’s website, set up, maintained and assisted in our computer lab (open to the public at no charge to give low-income seniors and others internet access), and developed curriculums for computer classes. Also, assisted in agencywide IT issues, offering advice and providing consultation.Website was created, computer lab was opened, class curriculum was developed and classes offered.
The website that Jim developed was the first one our agency has ever had. It has resulted in more public exposure and donations.
CTC Youth Program Building
Organization:
Friends of Tyler School VISTA Name:
Emily Fain
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
I. Maintain, organize and continue to upgrade program site
II. Implement an after-school computer literacy program for students
III. Help plan and implement a summer six-week academic day camp: Camp Cool
IV. Train FOTS Teachers, Tutors and Parents To More effectively Use CTC Educational Software
V. Train parents of FOTS students and other adult family members
VI. Develop public and private sector resources that will enable the project to continue after the Members leave.
VII. Manage donations to and from FOTS and other organizations
Project Outcome:
Thirteen computers donated last summer and fall are to be used to replace older equipment. As of early March, eight new computers had been placed in the CTC and work was almost completed on setting them up for class use. The remaining five will replace older computers in the secondary labs; this work will begin when the CTC work is completed. Work has begun on 10 computers in the new FOTS building. Five of the Win98 computers from the CTC replaced older computers in the secondary lab on the ground floor, which is used as a homework center after school.
The VISTA helped the Program Director develop a schedule of after-school classes for the first and second semesters of this school year. Software was widely used in teaching academic classes
Open Lab was available every afternoon during the first semester and was supervised by the VISTA. There were no Open Lab activities offered. A few students used this time to complete their homework assignments.
A volunteer continued her third year of teaching Lego Robotics. The fall group prepared for and competed in the Virginia Lego Robotics competition in November.
Training/orientation of tutors to FOTS educational software has been postponed. Tutors will be encouraged to use this system to check out software and use programs to supplement their tutoring sessions.
A large TV monitor was placed in a small classroom with a computer and is currently being used by one teacher to help teach her class using a software program.
New grant possibilities identified by CTCnet were sent to the FOTS fundraisers, Kelly Williams and Ann Womeldorf to research in further detail.
CTC Program Building
Organization:
Technology for All VISTA Name:
Hilda Puente
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
Hilda Puente has been involved in capacity building with TFA’s Mission Milby Community Technology Center (MMCTC) and with our work with Houston area CTCs. Hilda’s involvement with MMCTC has centered around the development of the Learn and Earn a computer program with students from Milby High School. Students from Milby High School participating in MMCTC programs are able to “learn and earn” a computer. The program has allowed 40 students to receive computers for use in their homes.
Three classes of students (10-15 in each class) have participated in this program that was created in collaboration with Pete Rodriguez, another CTCVista with TFA. In addition, Hilda has been significantly involved in developing supportive relationships with the 180 plus community organizations with CTCs across Houston that we work with. This has been a significant capacity building activity.
Hilda’s major objective was to help strengthen relationships with TFA CTCs in the Houston area. Hilda is a person who identifies a task and works at that task until it is accomplished.
Her work always proved to be more than adequate, and she was always conscious of the need to complete her tasks in a timely manner. Near the end of the summer when she began taking a preparatory course for graduate school, Hilda seemed to lose focus on her TFA responsibilities. She enrolled in the class without her supervisor’s knowledge. A scheduling conflict with the class caused Hilda to miss the CTCNet conference.
Project Outcome:
Hilda Puente’s year of service with Technology For All was a positive and growing experience for both Hilda and TFA. She helped build and strengthen relationships with many of our CTCs, which accomplished her goals.