Where are you with your learning journey?

It is wonderful when we meet former Computers in Homes students and get to hear what they are doing now. It often reinforces the research which suggests that digital inclusion programmes help develop empowerment. During the holiday period I bumped into four of our ex-students who told me what they are doing now. One ex-student is now working as a tutor at a wanaga full-time and another has part-time work around bringing up a young family. One has just completed their bachelor of social work degree at Whitireia. Another did our course back in 2006 as a mum, then went on to do teacher training and now is a deputy principal of a local primary school! All credit their success to completing our course as a catalyst to further learning and/or employment.

Recent Learning Stories

Maxine

Taking up the Computers In Homes course at my age (55), I was a bit apprehensive.  
Unsure of my own abilities and how much knowledge I could retain, I decided to jump in with 
both feet.  I love to learn new things and the course content seemed achievable, so why not?  
I’m a grandmother and I was responsible for my mokos most days... but they were at school 
during the day, which left me with lots of time on my hands.  The course ran during school 
hours and if I needed to leave to pick up the mokos, I could... and with little to no cost, perfect!

Talking to others on the course, we all realised that our levels of learning were immaterial.  We 
all learned the same thing and the pace of learning wasn’t important... for those who needed it,  
there was extra time, extra lessons... all you needed to do was turn up... the help was there. 
And acceptance was practically guaranteed... no matter what walk of life you came from, or 
age. I’ve never felt so accepted and welcomed, and excited to learn.

Before the course, I felt isolated from the world of technology.  I didn’t have the internet at 
home, or WiFi,... didn’t even have a computer. My thoughts were “I can’t afford it, so I’ll just go 
without”.  Upon graduating, I received a computer for my home and I was hooked up to the 
“net”..AND it’s very affordable, no matter your circumstance. I no longer feel isolated from the 
world, and I can have discussions with my mokos, AND my children, about the World Wide 
Web.

I still have a lot to learn, but now I have an avenue where I can learn ANYTHING and that’s 
exactly what I plan to do. Thank you to Peter and Tim at Computers In Homes...this old lady 
is switched on...and there's no going back!

Ruth

Kia ora Guys! My computer has settled in nicely. 

Thanks for your patience Pete.  

Thanks for being an excellent teacher and support person I really appreciated it. You’re a 
great person with all the work you do for the community.

And Tim.  What a great teacher.  You seem to flow in the zone and know the right pace.  Your 
actions / teaching sit firmly on a very deep philosophical base that empowerment is the right 
of all people and we must become kaitiaki or guardians of our freedom, rights and ways of life. 
Keep going Tim, we need more like you.

  

I didn’t do a story for you and Pete because I didn’t feel I had much to say.  But the big thing 
I’ve now noticed is how dramatically my quality of life has changed.  It’s like every expert I 
need to learn from to start a business, write a business card, get back onto Facebook, and be 
inspired to garden, cook and grow are now smilingly available at the click of a mouse.  

I don’t have TV cos ads piss me off and most of its hyped-up junk but its great to be able to 
pick and choose programmes. What I need now is a free course on how to make Facebook 
work for me better.  If you guys run anything that I’m eligible for please let me know.

Kia kaha 

Arohanui

Porirua Computers in Homes Graduation - Course 66

Another 29 people graduated from Porirua Computers in Homes on 6 April 2016.  Tracey Martin MP (NZ First) presented the certificates to the graduates.  Her speech was very encouraging and really struck a cord with many, so was very much appreciated.  One of the students (Kamiria Mullen) spoke to everyone about how much she had enjoyed the course and gained from the style of learning.  She also told us that she was now tutoring all her great grandchildren in using the computer for learning. Chris Theobald, principal of Holy Family School, spoke how important computers were now for families to support learning.  The National Coordinator for Computers in Homes, Di Daniels, was able to also give strong words of encouragement to the families, before presenting some special awards for learning stories.

Graduation for Course 65

Christmas came early for those graduating from Course 65 on 9 December 2015.  Jane Reddish (Principal of St Pius X School - Titahi Bay) and Dr Alan Nicols (ex-CEO BRANZ and Chair of Life Education Trust - North Wellington) presented successful students with their certificates.  After enjoying lunch together, students were able to take their refurbished computer home, to continue their digital learning journeys.

Congratulations and well done to all.

Jane and Alan flank Makerita at the Porirua Computers in Homes graduation for Course 65.

Click on the link below to view all the graduation photos:
https://goo.gl/photos/KkwV2BQsNuje7KhV8