Our Computers in Homes Whanau of 2014-15 year

I had the privilege today of starting some of our graduates from November 2014 and May 2015 on the Kiwiskills Jobseeker programme.  These families started with Computers in Homes, have done Stepping Up and now are doing a qualification with Kiwiskills.  One of the families is currently volunteering on a current Computers in Homes course with the goal of training for us in 2016.

Technology has the ability to do that, to grab our interest, to engage us and to make us want to motivate ourselves and learn more.

After 12 months we hear many stories of success and here are a few of their stories in their words:

• My boy will look up how to draw a face (for example). He's into comic books and will look up who wrote them and how they got famous. My partner has been doing courses and now works as a teacher aide. My son's art has improved, he's doing really well with his art on the computer. He reads a lot of things, so his reading has improved too. He searches for things, and that has helped his spelling. His mouse control is great. I've noticed the kids have bonded better when on the computer, they are interested in what each other is looking at. Also they cooperate really well when they are interested in something they are looking at. They help each other. Having a computer at home now means I do not have to pack up my whole family and leave the house to use one. When we forget something the computer tells us. If I need to find things out for myself I can find things out. The computer has helped us a lot. My partner does her study on it." - RM graduated Nov 2013

• "It impresses me the most seeing my children having the same advantages and opportunities as other children. It puts them in a quality space. They have the technology. They can do what anybody else in the world can do and learn. To see them use that is great. They won't be left out. They can make choices and they will be informed. Having the computer here has kept us as a family, it's kept us together - we can do our searching with our fingers. We are saving energy and we are loving, growing, getting angry together, looking at things together. I would not have been able to do my coursework without this computer: a lot of interaction is required with other students. Improvements: I do not know how you can make CIH better. It's a gift! - TT graduated Aug 2014

• There's a significant amount more information that can be accessed easily through computer rather than phone. I think they are more aware of things happening to others (some of which are not so happy - but that's life). Having the computer here has enriched the family. It gives me more free time. When they are in bed then it's MY time. We have massive discussions about things and I notice they observe others' comments in a different way. My relationship with my kids is stronger now. I have to trust them that they are not looking at nasty content and that they are using this tool wisely. They sort out their times on the computer between them. We know we are so lucky - we remember what it was like not to have one" MB gradauted Aug 2014

Computers in Homes for 2015

From July to December is always a difficult time to engage Computers in Homes families.  It's winter so people don't want to go out, there is a lot of illness around and if we start to late in the year then the schools become too busy.

That is why in Whanganui we try and start our classes in September giving people the opportunity to have their computers at home in time for Christmas and the start of the new year.

This is a good time to remind you when our next classes are starting. These will be the last classes until March 2016

Aranui School - Castlecliff - starting THURSDAY 3 September with two classes either 9.30 - 12pm or 5.30 - 8pm. This is the ONLY night class this term.

Te Heti Te Kohanga Reo - starting  WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 9 and 10 September  12.15 - 2.45pm at Hinau Street in Castlecliff

Tawhero School starting TUESDAY 8  September 9.30 - 12pm

Whanganui Learning Centre - In the CITY 232 Wicksteed Street starting FRIDAY 11 September 9.30 - 12pm

People interested should go to the schools.  Just a simple reminder about our criteria.  

We have an exciting new team of trainers and are really looking forward with working with the Computers in Homes whanau of 2015

Gratitude for the programme still making a difference

Every now and again I get someone asking "is there still a need for Computers in Homes?"  It's a really useful question.  Today I received two emails from parents today which answered that question again for me.

One of the mums shared that she wanted to know about Stepping Up because she wanted to get confident enough to go on to do a formal computer qualification so she could get work when her children were a bit older.  In her words

"My children and myself enjoy the computer so much it has made our life's so much easier when its time to do their homework.  Thank u so much 4 starting these courses my son has gone up so much in his education coz of having the computer".

I also heard from a Dad who said "It was a really big deal for me going on the course.  I had never sent an email until I arrived there.  My kids are hocked on the computer, they just love it.  Thank you so much for the opportunity"

So my answer is "YES" we still need Computers in Homes, for the parents and children who through no fault of their own have not embarked on the essential journey of having technology in their homes.
So if you know a whanau who fits our criteria (below) and could benefit from our programme get them to get in touch for programmes in Whanganui on 021 547 407.

17 new graduates at Raetihi

It was a cold, wet night for our graduation in Raetihi with 17 graduates completing Computers in Homes.  Raetihi Primary is an ICT school who uses Ipads with each of their students to facilitate learning.

This rounds out a wonderful 2014-15 year for Computers in Homes Whanganui with 130 graduates completing our programme in our region.  Great success for all of our graduates and we wish them well.

Here is a photoshow of our evening.  

Raetihi Primary School Graduation on PhotoPeach

Wow Whanganui Whanau what an awesome evening

On 19 May we had a very special graduation for 54 graduates from 5 schools:

Tawhero School

Castlecliff School

Keith Street School

St Marcellin School

Whanganui Learning Centre

This was the biggest graduation we have ever had and it was fantastic!  Over 250 people came.

Thank you so much to all our principals and managers from WLC

Thank you to Hamish McDouall, Deputy Mayor for the wonderful job you do

And thank you to our wonderful team and Committee for all that they do.  Here is our evening

Whanganui Computers in Homes Graduation May 2015 on PhotoPeach

Inspiration in Marton April 2015

Sometime we visit schools which are simply inspirational and James Cook School in Marton is one of those schools.  You can really feel the encouragement and support for the students.  Thank you so much for the inspiration.  This is the beautiful way they presented the PC's to their whanau.

Thank you so much to everyone - the principals, the Mayor Andy Watson who is always so supportive, Nevin Kuki the local Minister who opened our evening so beautifully and MP Ian MP Ian McKelvie.  Also congratulations to all our graduates and a thousand thank you's to Angela Coleman and Damian Turner-Steele for everything they do for us.

Marton Graduation April 2015 on PhotoPeach

Finding what you want on the Internet

It seems to me that the hardest thing for new users of the internet have is searching for information effectively.  We live in a world of endless bits of information.  If you type recipe into the Google Search you get 373,000,000 results.  That's a lot of recipes to search through to find a recipe for Marshmellow Easter Eggs to make for Easter.

So we have to learn to be specific about what we want.  For example if you search for "School holiday projects" you will get 77,800,000 results - if I search for "Drift wood craft projects from primary school children"  I get some very specific results including this

https://www.pinterest.com/sasmalin/primary-school-art-project-ideas/

You can also search within things like Pinterest by subject.  Try this - go to Pinterest.com and search on Education.  There are heaps of boards on many topics including Special Education.

So you can see - the more specific you are - the more likely you will find what you want. When we think about what we want and become more and more clear about what it is we want to do, know or explore then searching becomes easier.

As you get more experienced you could do a search on "Advanced Internet Searches" which will help you understand how

The next challenge is working out what reliable sources of information are on the internet.  Try doing a search on Youtube.com "reliable sources of information on internet"   I found this clip to show students how to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DzD856cplY   - if you don't like this one search again and find one you like looking at.

If you have curiosity, patience and the internet then you can literally learn anything.

Enjoy your internet journey.

P.S.  Warmest welcome to the 80 plus students currently doing Computers in Homes in Whanganui, Marton and Raetihi in our region.  Welcome to your technology journey.  May it expand your world. Our first graduation is in Marton on 21 April and our massive Whanganui graduation is on 19 May and our Raetihi graduation will be early June.

Our next classes start in September and I will be letting you know soon where those classes will be.

Also check us out on facebook under Computers in Homes in Homes Wanganui - been posting education links there lately.