THE COURAGE TO LEARN

“the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous”

Knowledge is the ultimate form of empowerment.

Out of grasp for some by choice or by circumstance

What would you do???

If someone who had never

touched a computer,

could neither read nor write.

had a WISH

~to learn basic computer skills~

One voice

asking for

knowledge is

common but

one voice

speaking on

behalf of

many is

powerful.

The hunger to learn provided the

foundation for the development of

a basic computer skills program

for 125 housekeepers.

Step OneAdopt a logical approach to the granting the WISH

Spock- “Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”Captain Kirk answers, “Or the one.”

Assume the best in all the individuals involved in the planning.Develop a common language for the success of

everyone involvedEnsure decisions are by consensus and fairly

reflect the consistencies necessary for success

Step TwoMeet and plan…Repeat

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to

excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort, ~ Paul J. Meyer

Continually restate the goal

Maintain a focus on the clients and their needs

Create a calendar of events

Step ThreeCascade your Strategy

Identify the objectives for your curriculum

Teach a little, test a little

Never assume anything about

the students

Step FourReflect

Be prepared to revisit the failures as well as the successes

Measure the depth of success by the expressed satisfaction of the learner

Ask for input from all the stakeholders

Rebuild the curriculum

Step FourCelebrate

Celebrate the smallest increments of success

Issue certificates for mastery and graduation Expand the curriculum to encompass new concepts and skills

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

The Story of Erlinda’s Wish Program

Erlinda is a Housekeeper for the university. She spent her evenings maintaining offices. For three weeks, she established a rapport with the instructor, building her courage to ask a life changing question. She watched as students attended Instructional Technology Classes in the computer lab. She gathered her courage and approached the instructor with a request. Would she teach her how to use the computer? As a reluctant student in her youth, she shared her story of familial responsibility and dropping out of school. She had never learned to read and struggled to write. She shared how she had learned to sort the janitorial supplies by color and bottle shape as a method for ensuring she used the correct tool for the job.

After the Instructor agreed to teach her basic computer skills, Erlinda suggested the inclusion of all 125 Housekeepers. Again, agreeing to provide classes for all the Housekeepers brought with it a slew of logistical concerns from obtaining department approvals to scheduling manageable class sizes.

The curriculum was created under the assumption that many had experience with a computer. The objectives quickly changed when it was discovered at the first class that using a mouse proved to be a new experience. It took 2 semesters for many of the Housekeepers to move beyond the computer log in requirement. Not because of the log in process but because of their limited literacy skills.

Progress was slow but deliberate. The smallest increment of mastery was cause for celebration. The level of mastery increased incrementally of a 4 year period. The confidence in problem solving skills, strength of voice and confidence in self rose in relationship to mastery of computer skills. The journey continues. Classes have expanded to include English as a Second Language (ESL). A curriculum was purchased and books provided for for all the Housekeepers. Their interactions are driven by empowerment as well as a need to succeed. They strive to be the resource for someone else in the class.

With power comes responsibility and with responsibility comes awareness.

The Wish program was born of one individual’s wish toImprove not just her life but those of others.

Learning is an amazing process at any age. The privilegeof teaching and guiding students to success never ceases to amaze. The story of this journey will be shared in detail.