1. Computer Classes for Beginners Salem-South Lyon District Library 9800 Pontiac Trial South Lyon, MI 48178 (248) 437-6431 www.ssldl.info Holly Hibner Reference Librarian [email_address] Mary Kelly Reference Librarian [email_address]

2. Why teach computers to beginners?

• Extension of reference philosophy

• • What is a reference question?

• Computer-driven reference questions

• • E-filing, unemployment, job applications, eBay, e-mail

• Our inspiration

• • The High Maintenance Smelly Lady

3. In the Beginning

• 6 laptops

• 1 hub for wired Internet access

• Windows 98

• MS Office 97

• No mice touch pads on laptops

• Big screen with LCD projector

4. Mistakes We Made: Hardware

• Laptops were too small keyboard and screen

• Too many cords!

• Touch pads too difficult for new users

5. Mistakes We Made: Instruction

• Computer jargon

• Too many concepts at once

• Assumed too much: skipped the basics

6. What We Noticed About Beginners

• Intimidated by technology changes

• Afraid to break something

• Overwhelmed by todays technology

• Appreciate learning with their peers

7. Changes We Made

• New Goal

• • Ease their fear

• • Get their hands on the equipment

• • Make them familiar

• Lab computers on carts

• • Full sized

• • Real mice

• • Offer trackball mice

• • Wi-Fi

8. More Changes We Made

• One-hour classes

• Limited number of concepts

• • Teach one way to do tasks

• • Start with absolute basics

• • Relate to typewriter

• Keep it light!

• • Class policies

• • Broken parts

• • Chants

• • Teacher rivalry

9. Classes and Handouts

• Update regularly!

• Beginner Classes

• • Computers 101 and 102

• • MS Office Suite

• • Handouts are topic sheets

• Higher Level Classes

• • Excel, Web Design, Computer Security, Social Networking, Digital Photography

Handouts available at http://ssldl.info

10. Latest Updates

• Computer lab

• Windows Vista

• MS Office 2007

11. Updated E-mail Class

• Hands On

• Created Hotmail and Yahoo dummy accounts

• Hand-outs for Hotmail, Yahoo, and Gmail

• Read an e-mail

• Send an e-mail

• Open an attachment

12. More Recent Updates

• Beginner class focus changed to parts/terminology, internet, and e-mail

• Windows functions like open, save, making folders, etc. moved to second level class

• Added more classes on downloadable audio, digital photography solutions, and Internet searching skills

13. The results are in!

• Improved our skills

• Outlet for those needing basic computer help

• Improved relationships with patrons

• More respect for library service (and librarians!)

• Great marketing for the library

14. Holly Hibner [email_address] Mary Kelly [email_address] Slides and handouts available at www.slideshare.net/hhibner