Technology Training
Future Expansion
In time we also hope add guides for advanced internet activities, such as:
- How to set up and use a Gmail account as well as learn the basic do’s and don’ts of email
- Use the Google suite to accomplish many types of tasks - organize a digital calendar, find places and map routes on Google maps, get important and customized news with feeds and make basic websites
- Use Web2.0 sites like Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr and Facebook for creating and sharing information and media
- Buy and sell items online
- Search for jobs and post a resume
- Find high-quality trustworthy research resources for school
Limitations
At this time the guides are not available in a single print or paper format. We invite you to print them out to make personalized packets and plan to introduce an easy way to do so in the future.
Due to the nature of linking to outside websites we can't include downloadable versions of many of these tutorials.
Our Goals
- To provide educational support for many types of learners, including those just beginning to learn how to use computers all the way up to more seasoned persons who might need a refresher or update for new technologies
- Assist instructors by providing curriculum in the form of guides and tutorials
- Help learners to develop essential basic digital literacy skills, including:
- Understanding basic terms and concepts related to computers and the internet
- Operate the basic functions of modern operating systems
- Design documents and presentations
- Navigate and search the Internet
- Send and receive email
- Foster advanced computer and internet learning and engagement, such as leveraging the web for job empowerment, effective use of Web2.0 applications and services, computer customization, mastering advanced office programs, and creation of digital multimedia
- Help empower learners to solve individual and community problems through use of these skills, especially in the realms of civic engagement, environmentalism, citizen journalism, political action, entrepreneurship and more
- Educate users to not only know how to operate computer and internet technology tools but also critique and redesign them to make them relevant to their individual and community needs
- Encourage active learning through the use of exercises and opportunities to teach and share learning experiences with friends, family and other peers
- Invite learners to become part of Prairienet technology training development and to add their own interests, perspectives, and talents to our development efforts
Important Aspects of This Program
- It is viable for computer labs built and operated in the current decade, approximately 2002-2012, the lifespan of Windows XP and the emergence period of Vista, OSX, and easy-to-use open source operating systems Linux such as Ubuntu
- The program is modular. It is broken down into three main units: computer basics, basic applications and advanced learning. Each of these units includes lessons that can be arranged to suit the individual technology and skills-related needs of a given learner. At this time we have gathered training guides and support resources for several operating systems, including Windows XP and Vista as well as Ubuntu Linux. We also have guides for Open Office, Microsoft Office XP/2003/2007 and some advanced learning materials for the previously mentioned operating systems.
- If you would like to help to revise or write tutorials you can access all of the content through use of our wiki, located at www.jag-wire.net/wiki