Computers in Homes Term One 2013

Welcome to Computers in Homes Wanganui.  We want to make sure that technology is in reach for all families that have school aged children. If you don’t have an internet accessible computer, have school aged children &; your children attend a low decile school, then Computers in Homes maybe for you.

1. It will cost you $50 to register on the programme. (This can be paid over the time you complete the training))
2. You need to attend 20 hours of free training at your local school who is running Computers in Homes. This will show you how to use your computer.
3. Computers in Homes Wanganui will give you a reconditioned computer at the end of the programme once training & payment are complete.
4. Computers in Homes Wanganui will subsidise your internet connection for up to 12 months.
5. If your PC breaks down in the first 12 months we will fix it free of charge within the terms of our agreement with you.

How do I sign up?

You must register your interest by completing a registration form and returning it to the school where you would like to attend the training.  

In 2013 Term One training will be held at:

• Wanganui East School Ph 343 8054 (Wanganui East)  The course will be held Monday nights starting end of February from 5pm to 7.30pm.  Your trainer will be Sarah Lourie.
• Tawhero School Ph 349 0499 (Gonville).  The course will be held Wednesday nights start on 22 February from 5.30pm to 8pm for 8 weeks.  Your trainer will be Debbie Tongotea.
•  Ake Ake Centre Ph 344 3399 (Castlecliff).  Two courses will be run one starting on Tuesday 19 or 26 February from 5.30pm to 8pm and one on Thursday 21 or 28 February from 12 to 2.30pm.  You choose when suits you and the course runs for 8 weeks . Your trainer will be Denise Simonson.
• Whanganui Learning Centre Ph 348 4950 (City). The course will start Friday 22 February at 12.30pm to 3pm for 8 weeks. Trainer: Gayna Ryan
• Born and Raised Pasifika Ph 343 5441 (Aramoho).  The course will start Friday 22 February at 12pm to 3pm for 8 weeks. Your trainer will be Denise Simonson.

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.

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

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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