Upgrading Computer Skillsfor Dislocated Workers.Revised (1)
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The document summarizes computer skills workshops held in Sheboygan, WI for dislocated workers. It describes: - The workshops were organized to teach basic computer skills to workers who lost their jobs due to plant closings and layoffs. - Classes covered basic computer use, Microsoft Word, email, and internet skills. Curriculum was tailored for job seeking and education. - Workshops were free and held at convenient times. Feedback showed the workshops helped students overcome fears and gain skills.
Upgrading Computer Skillsfor Dislocated Workers.Revised (1)
- 1. 1/27/2011 Best Practices, Strategies, and Results of Computer Skills Workshops in Sheboygan, WI Emmy VandenLangenberg-For taking such good care of the We experienced many manufacturers closing workshops and workers and for helping organize this their plants in Sheboygan County. Many material. others were laying off workers in record Polly Abts–Our supervisor and grant writer for this program. Thank you for making this happen and letting us have such a numbers. great opportunity. Unemployment in Sheboygan, WI rose from Mary St. Andre-Our Administrative Asst. and guardian angel. 5.7 in 2008 to 11.7 in 2009* These workshops would not happen without her organization, dedication, and “gentle” reminders to keep on task. Many of these Dislocated Workers had been Bay Area Workforce Development Board and Lakeshore employed in the manufacturing field for Technical College for funding and support. many years…decades. Sheboygan Area Dislocated Workers -For overcoming fear, frustration, and self-doubt to undertake new tasks and new beginnings. *Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 1
- 2. 1/27/2011 Why? Employers who were hiring for jobs, seeing • LTC contracted with Bay Area Workforce prospective employees without basic computer skills needed for jobs: customer service reps, healthcare, Development Board in Summer 2009 to address office admin. needs of dislocated workers in Sheboygan. Instructors at Technical Colleges were seeing DW • Initial curriculum taken from LTC Community students who did not have basic computer skills of other student populations. Education Coursework. Additional curriculum was Increased demand on Job Center staff members to added to address objectives of the courses. provide basic services to DW clients who could not • Curriculum was updated and revised regularly to use computer to: meet changing technology. create resume cover letter look for open positions fill out on-line applications send e-mails with resumes & applications. Funding To introduce basic Part of WIA funding (Core Services)& National computer concepts to dislocated workers. Emergency Grant (NEG) partnership between Bay Area Workforce Development Board and Free but substantive courses that will assist Lakeshore Technical College Dislocated basic proficiency in Worker Support team. Microsoft Office Word, e-mail, the internet. Curriculum targeted to meet two objectives: Seeking Employment Re-entering Education 2
- 3. 1/27/2011 5 Classes offered Absolute Beginners Computers for Beginners Word Level 1 and 2 Location Internet/Email Located in the Classroom limit of 10 computers Dislocated Worker Assistance Center in Offered at convenient times and an annex location at days the Sheboygan 5 hours each (2 x 2.5 hour sessions) Memorial Mall And Then Try to Find This… How Do You Get From This… 3
- 4. 1/27/2011 Someone who has never used a computer Limited in experience Has worked on a computer but only in company Parts of a Computer supplied/specific software Operating Systems Terrified of destroying computer Windows XP Never felt it necessary Computer Functions and Terminology Navigating basic file structures Afraid of learning Creating, Saving, Opening a File “Can’t” or “Too old” The Role of Memory Suffers Mouse-o-phobia Storage Devices A fear of connecting physically with the technology 4
- 5. 1/27/2011 20% Content and 80% Cheerleading Personalizing the Personal Computer Rearranging the Desktop Keep the content basic and easy to Changing appearance understand File Management Introduce skills through the use of fun Copying, moving, and deleting files tools!! The Recycling Bin Paint Search for Files Solitaire Task Manager Reassure learners Maintenance of Hard Drive Past experience plus new skills equals Keyboarding new opportunities The learner is more eager and willing to try new things!! Enforce Rule: Welcome to Microsoft Office Word 2007 “DO NOT CLICK ON IT IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT Creating Documents DOES!!!” Introduce them to troubleshooting Fonts and Formatting Text Now they don’t have to call a teenager!! Saving and opening a File Many have older computers and lack the funds to Editing purchase new. Be able to work with what they have. Changing Margins Welcome to Word Processing Page Orientation Easing anxiety over typing speeds Copy, Cut and Paste Text Use internet tools/games to build skills Go for accuracy and then speed Spelling and Grammar Check Printing Envelopes & Labels 5
- 6. 1/27/2011 Introduction to the Internet Find and Replace What is a Browser? Headers and Footers Connecting to the Internet Creating their own Letterhead Web Addresses: What Do They Mean? Working With Tables Protecting your Computer Inserting a Table Searching The Internet Navigating and Selecting Cells in a Table Information and jobs Merging Table Cells Using Electronic Mail Inserting and Deleting Tables and Cells Electronic mail etiquette Working with Tabs Setting up your own email account Using a Word Template Attaching a file to email Working with Graphics How To Recognize Phishing E-mail or Links Inserting a Picture From a File Safe Surfing Inserting ClipArt and WordArt Account settings in email and social networking sites It’sabout more than All level of learners just the computers You might not be Fear of computer where you think you Overcoming emotional are turmoil of Job Loss Flexing our “teaching Provided needed support methods” muscles. with co-workers Assessing on the fly to Challenging room adjust content layout made for more Family members can creative teaching and will be separated “What’s that Facebook thing all about?”… in the classroom! Busting myths and “Don’t make me stop rumors this class!” 6
- 7. 1/27/2011 Average response on ease of registration 4.7/5 We held 179 classes between September, Classes were well organized 4.4/5 2009 and December, 2010. Information presented in an understandable 884 people attended classes. way 4.6/5 Average class size of 5 students: 1 trainer. The trainer encouraged and answered We asked participants to fill out evaluations questions throughout the workshop 4.7/5 and received an 84% response rate. (Thanks My reason for taking this workshop was to Mary) satisfied 4.5/5 I would recommend this workshop to others 4.7/5 In general, I was satisfied with this workshop 4.4/5 What did you like about this workshop? The instructor was great! She is very informative. She makes learning Suggestions for Improvements? Thank you! fun. She keeps your class interesting Learning to overcome my Need more practice! Sheila Kronberg intimidation of computers due to my Wouldn’t change a thing WIA Case Manager/Counselor lack of knowledge and getting closer Have more classes more often Sheboygan Job Center to the point I to be at for the (920) 287-7833 working world Even more elementary definitions would be useful Sheila.kronberg@gotoltc.edu It shows you step by step and hands on A free brunch I am trying to learn about computers and I learned already in 5 hrs. Relaxing-easy going-pleasant atmosphere Able to learn about computer at a comfortable pace and practice at a comfortable pace It was very informative for a dummy like myself. Sheila was a wonderful & very patient person Sheila was great! 7