Adult Computer Literacy Program at Boston HERC Higher Education Resource Center

1. Adult Computer Literacy Program at Boston HERCHigher Education Resource Center David Marcillo Boston HERC

2. Presentation OutlineAdult Computer Literacy Program • Who We Serve / Who’s Your Customer • Program Objectives • Program History / How We Started • Program Staff • Course Offer & Schedule • Curriculum Resources • Lessons Learned • Summary / Wrap-up

3. Who We ServeWho’s Your Customer • Located at Congregation Lion of Juda • Faith based initiative • Serves The Greater Boston Area • Largest Hispanic Church in The Area • Serves Hispanics • Serves Multi Cultural Families • A Vital Source of Information for Other Hispanic Churches

4. Adult Computer Literacy Objectives • Help Adult Hispanics Use Technology • Integrate Technology Into Daily Activities • Help Parents Understand Basic Computer Technology Used by their children • Help Adults Acquire Marketable Computer Skills • Help Adults Leverage The Internet • Recruit Resources from Various Churches • Class Schedule Accessible To Working Adults

5. A Brief HistoryAdult Computer Literacy • Program Started in 1999 • HERC Director Pastor Samuel Acevedo • Church Provided The Space • 3llenium Computer Corporation • Member of congregation • 3llenium Built Computers • 3llenium Configured and Managed Lab • Recruited Volunteers From Various Hispanic Churches • Program Director: David Marcillo

6. Program Staff • HERC Director – Pastor Samuel Acevedo • Program Director – volunteer • David Marcillo • Administrative Staff • Small amount of time from HERC Admin Staff • Additional volunteer to help; keep records, organize meetings, make phone calls • 8 Lead Instructors – volunteers • Required proficiency in Subject Area & recruited from various churches • Required One Night per week & some training • 8 Teaching Assistants – volunteers • Required proficiency in Subject Area & recruited from previous students • Required One Night per week & some training

7. Course Offer & Schedule • Introduction To Windows ( All Spanish ) • Introduction To MS Word ( All Spanish ) • Introduction To MS Excel ( All Spanish ) • Introduction To Internet ( All Spanish ) • Introduction To Building Websites ( All English ) • MCSE Exam Preparation ( All English ) • Week Nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. • Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to Noon • All Spanish course lasted eight sessions – 8 weeks

8. Curriculum Resources • Initially we created all our Curriculum • Later we used ASPIRA built curriculum • with original material integrated • www.aspira.org look for CTC • TechMission Resources • Teacher guide • Student Guide • Student Exercises & Examples • Various Forms, e.g. attendance, exams

9. Lessons Learned • Recruit !!! Recruit !!! Recruit !!! • Prepare !!! Prepare !!! Prepare !!! • Student recruitment • Instructor & Assistant recruitment • Administrative Support recruitment • Prepare & Train Instructors & Assistants • Prepare & Train Administrative Support • ORGANIZE !!! • ORGANIZE !!! • ORGANIZE !!!

10. Lessons Learned (cont..) • Students • Eight Session Course are Too Long • Assign Homework • Create Diagnostic Exams • Celebrate Graduations • Volunteers • Create Job Descriptions for Volunteers • Create Instructor Guide • Celebrate your volunteers

11. Lessons Learned (cont..) • Keep great records of your customers • Call your customers • Email your customers • Keep them informed • Keep great records of your volunteers • Call your customers • Email your customers • Keep them informed • Repeat customers & volunteers are a great resource and asset

12. Summary • Adult Computer Literacy • Works for any language or ethnic group • Great satisfaction to see adults participate & integrate technology into their daily activities • Great satisfaction to collaborate with other organizations • TechMission • Provides great resources • Facilitate communication with various people around the country • Reminder to submit evaluation • Wrap-up