Contributing Through Computers (March 2012)

Contributing Through Computers volunteers and training staff. 

Contributing Through Computers (CTC) is a free training program offered at the UBC Learning Exchange (612 Main St.) for volunteers interested in helping others to develop basic computer skills. This 3-year pilot project was a response to community feedback that while there is ample free access to computers in the Downtown Eastside, there is often a shortage of staff and volunteers to support the learning gaps that many people have around using computers.  The feedback also indicated that many members of the DTES community have   significant skills in computers, but have had little opportunity to share their knowledge with others. The idea of a computer facilitator training that would prepare   volunteers to share their skills across the DTES community, as well as make    using computers more accessible for beginners, was subsequently developed.

The main goal of CTC since it began in January 2011 has been to develop capacity at both the individual and organizational level. In the past year alone, CTC graduates have gone on to lead computer training workshops at Union Gospel Mission, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, and the UBC Learning Exchange. Other organizations such as Ray-Cam and local schools have   expressed interest in volunteers coming to their locations to lead computer training workshops. “It’s amazing to see what people can do if given the space and place to do it!”, said   Dionne Pelan, Storefront Programs Coordinator at the UBC Learning Exchange and lead trainer in the CTC program.

Over the course of the 10-week training program, volunteers engage in activities which will help them to simplify and demystify using computers for beginners.  One such activity asks them to discuss how they would clearly and concisely describe computer terms such as monitor (e.g. ‘It’s like a TV.’) and mouse (e.g. ‘It’s like the remote control’).  Dionne encourages participants to keep their explanations simple, free of jargon, and to relate them to something people already know. The training asks volunteers to think about the different ways that adults learn, and to explore techniques to calm their own anxieties around speaking in front of groups.  For example, deep breathing exercises are   introduced as a tool to help volunteers relax, consciously slow down their pace of speech, and create fluctuations in their tone of voice. 

Korie, a recent graduate from the Contributing Through Computers program, completed her training in December 2011. She was motivated to enroll by her interest in doing some volunteer work. Korie shared that the CTC training helped her to recognize many of her own strengths such as developing a lesson plan, doing background research, and preparing handouts.  The CTC training also gave her an opportunity to keep up her computer skills and to connect with and learn from others. “Working with colleagues allowed me to observe and learn about their thought processes and how they give presentations,” reflected Korie. Currently, Korie is sharing her computer facilitator skills with learners enrolled in computer classes   at the UBC Learning Exchange. While still trying to move past her fear of being in front of a class, Korie said that in the future she might be interested in putting together a workshop.

Connecting Through Computers runs on Monday afternoons at the UBC Learning Exchange. No previous facilitation experience is necessary. For more information, contact Dionne Pelan at dionne.pelan@ubc.ca or call 604-408-5179.