CDD Course Report Walden House 5-09

                                     Instructor End of Course Report

Center Name:  Walden House

Beginning Date: April 4^th 2009

Graduation Date:  May 5^th 2009

Names of the four Instructors: Austin, Srinhi, Dawn and Derin

This session at Walden House started not too different from others. We had a nervous and somewhat intimidated group of 13 students sign up to learn the basics about computers. Austin and Srini did an excellent job of setting a good tone from the onset by clearly establishing the rules and regulations of the class as well as expectations of each student.

We had varying levels of computer experience amongst the students in the class. We had students like Christopher who had a lot of prior experience working with computers and understood computer hardware pretty well. Hector Soto was a master typist and could easily type 50 WPM. We also had students with no experience at all. It had all the makings of an interesting and challenging session. Not only did we have to make those with no experience feel comfortable with the class material, we also had to make the class engaging and interesting for the more advanced students!

We approached this by soliciting the help of the more advanced students in assisting us with the class. This way we were able to give extra attention to the students who needed it while keeping the more advanced students engaged.

I think the student who was transformed the most was Frank Baldenegro. He came into the class a bit hesitant, apprehensive and somewhat standoffish.  I guess he just did not know what to expect. Through patience and persistence, mostly on the part of Dawn, we were able to get him to participate in class and he even got selected to be Walden House presenter! It truly was an amazing transformation. Not only from being computer illiterate to literate but a whole new attitude and outlook on life.

This was definitely a great session. The students were divided at the beginning of the session but by graduation there was definitely a spirit of camaraderie at having faced and accomplished a common goal together. I was especially touched by the individually signed cards we received from the students at graduation. Their appreciation was very genuine and I’m sure I speak for the other instructors as well when I say I was truly moved.

CDD Cri-Help Course Report March 2008

Cri-Help Course Report:  March 2008

Instructors:  Becky Ha, Joon Huh, Russ Matthews, Dan Raju

Our session progressed very smoothly, despite the fact a number of students who originally began the class did not end up finishing.  We had two first-time Instructors, who picked up the material very quickly and brought new skills to the classroom.

The session began with approximately 20 students - a fairly large group.  However, due to individuals leaving the center (completion of their stay) or simply dropping the class, we ended up with 11 graduates.  This is a fairly typical experience for Cri-Help, so it was not particularly disruptive, as the core group of students began forming by the 3^rd week of class.

Initially, many of the students were shy or not very talkative.  As Instructors, we used analogies and other techniques to engage the students.  Most students became interested in participating around the Computer Discovery terms, especially as terminology illustration was performed with an open computer in the classroom.

Most students grasped the basic concept of an outline, and by the time they had begun writing papers, most were well on their way to explaining their Personal Plan for Success. 

One of the challenges in the classroom is being able to explain the concepts without the benefit of the students being hands-on while the lecture is taking place.  To compensate for this, students were engaged through the asking of questions, and constant review of the topics covered in prior classes.

Although she was not our chosen graduation speaker, one student that I would like to mention is Alicia Garcia.  She was always very attentive in class, and although it sometimes took her a while to grasp the concepts, she was eager to participate.  Alicia worked diligently on her outline, and was one of the first to volunteer to present her paper.  Her Personal Plan for Success was well thought out, and included her goals of going back to school and becoming a Human Resources representative.  Alicia was also excited by the notion that her daughter would be able to see her blog entry and graduation picture on the CDD website.  Seeing the progression in a student like Alicia is the reason that we teach.

Overall, although the class ended up with a reduced number of students, those who graduated were a very easy group to work with, and seemed eager to learn.  Of course, the graduation ceremony is always the ultimate payoff for us as instructors, as we feel the satisfaction of seeing the students complete the session, and see their genuine appreciation for our work.  This year’s was no different.

CDD COMPUTER DONATIONS

A Matter of Give and Take

The Digital Divide remains a very real and current problem. Five years after beginning our program and nearly 20 years, since the term “Digital Divide” was coined by the Department of Commerce, a gap persists in our society. Gaps between those who have access and are without access to the Internet and Technology. The latest statistics show an improvement. While more people from all economic backgrounds are connecting each year, millions are still without use or knowledge, of a computer.

CDD Members witness this divide firsthand in our classrooms. Every six weeks we have a new group of students. The majority has little or no previous experience with a computer. At the start of each year we reconsider the curriculum. Do we still need to offer a “Basic Computer Class” or can we now begin the training at a mediocre level? Are there still people struggling with learning to master the mouse and keyboard? People who still see a computer as intimidating and impossible to learn? While we might all occasionally feel bullied by our system we find it hard to believe such a divide exists. I can assure you it is alive and well in 2008.

As we enter our fifth year of training in 2009 there is some re-examining. Questions of whether this year will see the start of our Advanced Training classes. Whether we can add the Mentor Team, who will assist our graduates with writing their resumes, dressing and preparing for a job interview, applying for a college grant and etc. Whether we can hire staff to man our office and will help grow the organization in the coming years. Whether this year will see the publishing of our Book Project (see Newsletter Issue 16 on our website).

So much of these goals depend on funding. Much of why we are moving slowly in reaching these goals is due to a lack of funds. Our funds have been steadily increasing but are still far short of what is ultimately needed to grow. Talk from local politicians of “Reentry Programs” instead of more prisons is encouraging. Increased understanding that addiction is a disease deserving of our compassion and support also gives room for hope.

Bottom line is that CDD is still reliant on generating our own funding solution. This has been most successfully accomplished by Recycling Computers. Recycling Computers and closing the Digital Divide in fact go hand in hand. It is truly a matter of a giving and taking, a holy union. CDD continues to donate hundreds of computers each year either directly or through commercial “Recycler’s”. We also benefit from computers that are donated which we refurbish and resell ourselves. In fact, donated computers, probably account for 75% of our funding.

Not to speak of the importance in keeping machines in use longer and out of the landfills. Recycling computers like recycling of every kind is beneficial. It is simply put a good habit. As we head into 2009 with tight economic times ahead these good habits need to become commonplace. So please keep looking out for ways to support CDD. Volunteer your time, spend a few hours in our office; teach a class in one of our six sessions; discuss the digital divide and CDD with a friend or donate some computers. All are valuable ways to continue closing the gap and bringing those on the other side closer to digital inclusiveness. To donate a computer go to our website at www.cddnp.org and click on the contact page or call Kathleen at 310-288-3567. We pick up large donations from companies upgrading their offices or individuals donating a single computer. All working equipment will receive a tax receipt for your generosity!

Walden House-End of Course Report-Dec 16th 2008

                                 Center Name:  Walden House

                        Beginning Date: November 11th, 2008

                       Graduation Date: December 16th, 2008

    Names of the four Instructors: Shawn, Dawn, Peyman and Derin

The last session of the year at Walden House started much like any other. We had enthusiastic and eager instructors coupled with anxious and somewhat intimidated students. It had all the makings of another great session.

We (instructors) were quickly able to put the students at ease by letting them know from the onset that short of putting a powerful magnet to the hard drive there really were no mistakes that couldn’t be corrected. We also let them know that they already used computers in their everyday lives though they might not be aware of it. It became clearer when we told them that cell phones, ATM machines and other automated services were in basic form computers themselves. With the students somewhat at ease, we got started with the course materials.

For me the most fulfilling part of the session was seeing the topics covered “click” with the students. We saw this with the word material when they started typing their papers and with the internet terms when they went online. The experience of watching the students’ transformation in six short weeks from being computer illiterate to having basic skills and the hunger to learn more is tough to put in words. It’s definitely what keeps me and the other instructors coming back session after session.

I think all the students did a terrific job of being attentive and asking questions. Eric Fuqua stood out among all the rest. He proved to be a quick study and also assisted us in helping other students that were lagging a bit. Even though he was chosen to be the speaker for Walden House, if there was a “Most Valuable Student” award, he would definitely have my vote.

The instructors this session was fantastic. We were all on the same page throughout and we were able to minimize drop outs and graduate the largest Walden House class to date!