Overwhelming interest in our basic computer skills course

We started 2006 with getting right into training - by the end of February - we completed the course with nearly everyone in our first group of 9 students - and many more have already signed up.

Our basic computer skills training source is based on using our Mandrake Linux setup - and the use of OpenOffice, Ktouch, Kate, Mozilla and GIMP and Konqueror. It is a 12 lesson course - by the end of which the students are able to create basic business related tasks like creating documents like invoices, letterheads, CVs, and also are able to perform basic image editing tasks like creating a business logo and business card with GIMP.

The training material is almost complete and will be published soon under an open license on the OpenCafe site. Once uploaded - everyone else can use it as well - when creating their training materials - one of our students is already planning to use them to teach other educators like him in one of the local primary schools.

On Fridays we start training with watching a new episod of Go_open - which gives all the tasks the students perform a special meaning - the TV program is a fun way of introducing students to the world of computers.

Our basic skills course is our first step into the OpenCafe experience - once students complete this task - we introduce them to all the other projects we have - they can sign up for volunteer tasks, or they can start the trainee program or our art program, they can stay and assist with teaching the new students and even sign up for free basic music skills classes.

Some of the older students who have chosen to continue the training - have been very successful in their new programs, they have learnt various complex tasks :

• Phindi ( community project support project )

Since she is the member of the local Australian Football League - she decided to learn all skills necessary to maintain their WebGUI based website - ( click here the site she is working on )

• Jane ( OpenCafe Trainee program )
  

Jane is at home with most tasks around running the cafe and handling clients and students

• and Netanya (ArtMarketOnline ) -
  

She has designed and redesigned her website look and content many times already - she also has compiled and published her first book of poetry and is busy exploring options to sell her art work online and setting up her own art business.
She has also picked up basic music skills in the process and is busy giving her new skills on to Cymba - another artist in the ArtMarketOnline program.

So come and do the basic computer skills course and you will have the opportunity to pick up a lot of additional skills once you have passed your first exam!