Whanganui Learning Centre December 2012

It's been a busy few months at Computers in Homes Wanganui.   We have two new team members in place Tania van der Vegte as the new coordinator and Simon Waters our new technical support person.  Robin Williamson continues to do the rejuvenation process and has been very helpful explaining key parts of our processes.

We were lucky to have a wonderful group of 10 families going through our training at the Whanganui Learning Centre.  It is a privilege to join them on their learning journey into the digital world.  There was much talking, learning, laughing and sharing.  Thank you to all of them for their patience and understanding as I as a new coordinator came to grips with what needed to happen.  It has been great to see so many families learning and growing from our programme.

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Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing everyone a very happy holidays.  May you enjoy your time with your family and friends and travel safely.  Lets all hope 2013 brings much joy to us all.  From our team Simon, Tania and Robin.

Thanking Alistair Fraser

Without Alistair Fraser there would not be the Computers in Homes Project in Wanganui.  Alistair bought the idea of CIH to the District Council in Wanganui 7 years ago.  It has been running here for the last 6 years.  In that time over 600 Wanganui families have benefited through training on how to use a computer and now have computers in their homes, plus over 1,000 learners have participated in the Stepping UP, digital literacy programme since 2009.   Alistair has also contributed to many major initiatives in Wanganui including the digital strategy for Wanganui, putting computers into the Eugene Crotty flats, Whanganui Womens Refuge and many other community facilities, and coordinating Wanganui’s eDay from 2007 to 2010. Alistair was also a key driver of the initial CTC concept which resulted in the Ake Ake Centre CTC and the chromebooks in classrooms and for community access at Tawhero School.

Thank you Alistair for your energy, your passion for the work, and your commitment to the work of Computers in Homes.  We wish you well on your new adventures!

Whanganui is closing in on reaching Digital Nirvana first!

WOW – Whanganui has so much enthusiasm for using the digital highway.  Our Ultrafast FibreTech Ex weekend on 20 to 22 July was so successful and it was way beyond the best I’d hoped for before.  Being there most of the 3 days, plus before and after was a chance to live and breathe all the latest tech stuff, plus bond and engage with the community and the exhibitors.

We had a strong presence with a CIH/KiwiSkills stand in the exhibitor’s hall.  It was so cool to work with Sarah Lee, the local CIH team, Whanganui Learning Centre people, plus lots of others.

A personal Ultrafast FibreTech Ex special for me was having CIH people from other regions visit.  Tim, Sarah and Chris from Porirua came up for the whole 3 days, and it was neat to see Chris from Taranaki, Peter and the others from Wairarapa, and the Wellywood/Kapiti Coast team.

Other personal highlights for Ultrafast FibreTechEx were seeing the speaker’s programme being sponsored by the 2020 Communications Trust including the final talks by 2020 Chair, Laurence Millar about the opportunities for New Zealand in the global digital economy and Don Christie, from Catalyst.
The first public viewing of the new Computers in Homes DVD at Ultrafast Fibre Tech Ex on Sunday 22 July was a huge moment of pride and a heart grabbing experience.  This is a 50 minute archive of digital stories about Computers in Homes captured by Barbara Craig and Howard Taylor.  They have crafted a fantastic series of interviews and pictures of who we are and what we do.  As this becomes more widely distributed and more people see it, I am sure it will open many doors for us and be a huge tool to channel more support to scale up CIH and for other appropriate digital initiatives!   There will be links to versions able to viewed online soon and I will publish these as a special blog in the near future ;)

Press links
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/technology-creates-a-buzz/1474826/
http://www.wanganui.govt.nz/news/showNews.asp?id=2222
Photo links
https://picasaweb.google.com/101909744705360752679/UltrafastFibreTechEx2012Whanganui
https://picasaweb.google.com/101909744705360752679/TechExSunday22July2012

As if this wasn’t enough, the following week two more amazing things happened to propel our seat on the digital juggernaut:

Our Computers in Homes class at the Born and Raised Pasifika Centre, Aramoho had their graduation celebration on 27 July. The Pasifika way sure has plenty going for it.  We should all see how successful it is for each generation to learn and play together using computers and the internet as the vehicle.  It is no surprise to see some of the  fanau from the Born and Raised Pasifika Centre being used in a poster for ACE Aotearoa’s Adult Learners' Week/He Tangata Mātauranga in September.  Congratulations to Hellen PuhiPuhi and all the B&RPC team for leading the way.   What a fabulous class this one was.  It was the 5th we’ve run at B&RPC since 2010.

Photos link
https://picasaweb.google.com/101909744705360752679/BornAndRaisedPasifikaCIHGraduation27Jul12

We held the launch of the Y2Y(Yes to Youth) AKE AKE CTC (Community Technology Centre) on 25 July.  This is going to be a fabulous resource and asset for the Castlecliff community to use.  Y2Y people have worked hard with us to make it happen and it is great to see this open.

Press link
http://www.wanganui.govt.nz/news/showNews.asp?id=2223
Photos Link
https://picasaweb.google.com/101909744705360752679/Y2YAKEAKECTCOpening26July2012

Ultrafast Fibre TechEx will be a digital biggie for Whanganui

YAY, not long to go till TechEx is on, don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about information and communications technology, and see how it is being utilised.

www.techex.co.nz 

It is neat to have a CIH link with the wonderful photo above, by Tracey Grant which is being used for TechEx publicity.  Doesn’t it say everything that is wonderful about the Digital Age!  Different generations are using technology to learn together.  It is about connections and sharing journeys, in ways that have never been possible until now.  The boy is from one of our CIH families and he is with Mayor Annette Main’s dad.  It was a chance meeting by the river which led to the photo being taken and I’m sure the story won’t end here; this is all about from the HEART :)

Computers in Homes will have a stand at TechEx to share information about us and hook up with families who want to participate. Do come and see us!!!

Whanganui Learning Centre CIH and Stepping UP classes’ graduation celebration 29 June 2012

There were two CIH classes at the Whanganui Learning Centre in Term 2 2012.  These learners completed Stepping UP too, so there was sure plenty to celebrate.  Our new WLC CIH trainer, Denise Simonson has done a terrific job taking the classes.  This was very evident during my visits to her classes, and especially at the graduation celebration.   This was in the Davis Theatre at the Whanganui Museum.   How great it was to see the way everyone has supported each other with so much aroha, and to hear their stories.  We were lucky to have a Pasifika group perform for us too.

Here are links to couple of videos I made during the graduation.  These really do say everything for what a huge positive difference digital literacy education and empowerment makes.

Click this link for more photos 

Aramoho School CIH graduation Celebration 26 June 2012

How fantastic it is to see Aramoho School is jumping onto the Digital Highway so enthusiastically.  New Principal, Raena Mead is championing using ICT at the school in a big way.  We have helped by giving 15 computers to the school to be used in classrooms by the students, extending the WiFi network, plus we have been running a CIH class for 10 parents and caregivers.  We have been lucky to have had a free classroom to use during school hours, so it was great for the parents and caregivers to come to the school then.  Classes were held from 9.15 to 11.45 am Wednesdays.  Our long-time CIH tech guru, Ian Jamieson was our trainer at Aramoho.  He has done an outstanding job with this class; it was awesome visiting them during the learnings to see how keen and absorbed everyone was to learn ICT.
The graduation celebration was held as part of a special school assembly to show off how ICT is being used at Aramoho School.  We were entertained by the schools kapahaka group too, who gave a special performance, and the youngest children did a lovely game for us.
After the certificates were presented, Alan Cooper told a very inspiring story.  This is well worth viewing on my badly made video.  It doesn’t really do justice to Alan’s story but they are still powerful words of wisdom.  Thank you so much Alan for all the huge contributions and support you have given to Computers in Homes over the years.   You are such an inspiration and we are so lucky to be able to have your huge educational expertise to guide us!!



This Aramoho school CIH graduation celebration was a big milestone for what will surely be a very special digital education story to come as Raena empowers her students and community using ICT. 

Click this link for more photos

Computers in Homes is the learning environment for the 21st Century in Whanganui

Whanganui has Computers in Homes classes going this term at Aramoho School, Wanganui East School, the Born and Raised Pasifika Centre, and the Whanganui Learning Centre.  Participants will be graduating in June and July.

It is so motivating going around and visiting the classes and seeing the wonderful job our trainers are doing helping our parents learn to become active digital citizens.

We are getting very excited about the  Ultra-Fast Fibre TechEx UFB showcase to be held here from 20-22 July 2012.  With Wanganui being one of the first places in New Zealand to begin the roll-out of ultrafast broadband, TechEx will help raise awareness of ultrafast broadband and what it will offer to all sectors of the community, including business, education and health providers.

The Expo will be a hands-on and interactive experience for visitors, many of whom may not be familiar with touch-screen technology, smart phones, etc and who may be unsure of the benefits that signing up for, or changing to ultrafast broadband, may bring.
Visit the TechEx website for more information 

Computers in Homes in Whanganui is more important than ever

We are pleased to continue to crack on to help more Whanganui families become active digital citizens.

April was special because we’ve had Graduation Celebrations for families from Computers in Homes Classes at Tawhero School, Te Kura Te Atihaunui-A-Paparangi at Putiki Marae Cyberwhare, and the Whanganui Learning Centre. 

During May and June, we will have classes going at Aramoho School, Born and Raised Pasifika Centre, Whanganui Learning Centre, and Wanganui East School.  

Participants in the classes above total over 80 for 2012 so far, and we are well along the way to meet and exceed our funder’s goals for the year.

It is so inspiring and motivating to see how much our families obtain from their Computers in Homes participation.  The confidence and sense of achievement they develop from learning goes over and above their new computer skills and digital access.  Also, using computers together as a family is such a positive way to build strong relationships.

This is our 6th year of running Computers in Homes in Whanganui.  We have engaged with over 550 families over this period and are looking forward to continuing to deliver the programme going forward.

Computers and digital literacy have become essentials for everyone to have now in order to succeed in all walks of life.  Despite this, there are still plenty of households without them. We estimate around 25% of Wanganui’s households don’t have a computer at home.   

 It is a no-brainer that funding investment in our Computers in Homes programme is worthwhile.  Digital empowerment of underserved communities is not just altruism and digital tokenism; Computers in Homes makes a significant contribution to our economic prosperity through its educational and vocational outcomes.

Making a digital difference for whanau in Whanganui

Putiki Pa’s Cyberwhare tumuaki Julian (Judd) Bailey (in green top) is showing his Computers in Homes class what can be achieved with digital graphics. 

We have been busy during March for Computers in Homes in Whanganui.  Around 50 families are participating in term 1 and we have 2 graduations coming up before Easter.  It is really great to see how popular our classes are.

 It was great to have Barbara Craig, 2020 Communications Trust and Howard Taylor, HT Productions here last week videoing interviews with our CIH families, trainers and delivery providers.

 The interviews will be edited into a CIH promotional video which will be published later this year.  It was a privilege to go to the one they did with Chris Dibben, Principal of Tawhero School.  Tawhero is certainly leading the way using ICT for learning.

Click Here to see more photos

Everyone has a special reason to go digital

Our Tawhero School Computers in Homes class in Term 1 is extra special with Marie Gwilliam participating.  It is great to see her enthusiasm and keenness to learn.  So special to have her sister, Mel Vaivela, as her teacher-aid too.  As a CIH mum from 2010, Mel is making the most of her experience and it is wonderful she can make time to do this and share her skills, she is a real CIH Champion for sure!!
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/net-world-opens-for-deaf-woman/1283485/

Making digital learning a priority for 2012

Happy New Year everyone!!  I am sure 2012 is going to be the biggest year yet for all things Digital!!

We are starting Term 1 well for Computers in Homes in Whanganui.  We are running classes at Tawhero, Aramoho, Churton and Wanganui East Schools, plus at the Whanganui Learning Centre and Putiki Marae/ Te Kura Te Atihaunui-A-Paparangi. Our goal for the year is to engage with at least 125 families, whanau and fanau and we will be working with lots of other schools during the year.

Our 2012 Stepping UP classes start  at the Whanganui Learning Centre this week.  Click here to visit their website for all the details