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Short Description
of SeniorNet:
At 9:50
AM -0400 8/20/09, Registrar Deb Damaska wrote:
SeniorNet is staffed by volunteers
locally. We usually conduct classes for 6 weeks and repeat classes
every 8 weeks. We do not conduct classes in January or February. Our
classes are limited to 10 students per class and are held at the James
V Brown Library. Most of our classes are aimed at beginning computing
seniors. Our website is www.susquehannaseniornet.org.
To be a student
in one of our classes, you need to be a member of SeniorNet which is a
yearly $40.00 membership fee. Our class fees are $25.00 per 6 weeks of
class.
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1.
Overview
Affordable
computer education to older adults . . .
SeniorNet's mission is
to make available affordable computer education to older adults --
generally Seniors above the age of 50. Our local branch, known as
Susquehanna SeniorNet, serves Lycoming and nearby counties in North
Central Pennsylvania.
The Susquehanna
SeniorNet Learning Center is sponsored by the James V. Brown Library in
Williamsport Pennsylvania. It is located on the 4th floor of the
Library. The physical facilities consist of 10 modern computer
workstations plus and a record-keeping workstation.
History
Our Susquehanna
SeniorNet Learning Center is the second-oldest of nine the statewide
affiliates of the non-profit San Francisco based National
SeniorNet organization,
described as "the best online forum for older adults" by The Wall
Street Journal.
Our local SeniorNet
branch was started about 1998. It adopted the name Susquehanna
SeniorNet in 2004, to reflect the fact that we reach out to support the
whole Susquehanna Valley as much as possible.
More than 500 older
adults have graduated from the local fundamentals class. Most have
returned to enjoy additional sessions on email, navigating the
internet, word processing, photos and graphics, and other applications
of interest.
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2. About
SeniorNet Classes
What separates
SeniorNet from other basic computer courses is its focus on how older
adults learn according to Art Kline, chair of the local Learning Center
Council. "Classes are stimulating, fun and volunteer teachers and
coaches make sure every student gets the individual attention they
need."
SeniorNet
Classes vs Library Classes
There is
sometimes confusion about the difference between the classes taught by
the Library staff, and the SeniorNet classes, particularly since the
subject material is often the same, and they are both taught "at the
Library".
One of the first things
people may notice is that the SeniorNet classes have a cost, while some
of the Library classes are free.
Well, here's the deal .
. . The SeniorNet classes are intended to complement the Library
classes. The SeniorNet classes generally progress at a slower pace, are
spread over a longer number of hours, use a larger instruction staff by
having coaches in addition to the instructor., and involve more printed
manuals and other take-home materials.
Students are
encourage to "mix and match" between the Library and SeniorNet classes
to best suit their individual needs.
More
Details AboutSeniorNet Classes
Each student has
their own computer station at which to work during class.
Class Length -- Each
course meets for 2 hours per week, over a 6 week period.
Lab Sessions -- In
addition to the class meetings, a 2-hour lab session is scheduled at
least once per week. A Lab Monitor is present to help anyone who gets
stuck or has questions.
Coaches -- In addition
to the instructor, each class is also assisted by an additional 1-2
coaches, who provide individual "coaching" when a student gets stuck.
This ensures that each student receives personalized attention.
Work-along Manuals --
In addition, each student receives a professionally-written,
step-by-step work-along manual which is theirs to keep, plus a diskette
with practice exercises.
- These manuals are
written by the staff of the National SeniorNet organization, which is financed by the
SeniorNet membership dues.
- The $25 course
charge is used to defray expenses for the printing of manuals, binders,
printer ink, and other materials used during the class.
Flash Drive -- a USB
flash drive is available for loan, so students can take practice
exercises home and practice using their own computers.
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3. Class
Scheduling, Computer Club, Announcing Events
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Class
Scheduling
Currently 5
sessions of classes are offered throughout the year -- 2 spring
sessions, a summer session, and 2 fall sessions. A winter session
starting in January used to be offered but was discontinued, because we
learned that attendance suffered due to people not wanting to drive on
snowy days.
A class session lasts 6
weeks, with a two-hour long meeting each week. Class schedules at
holidays are adjusted by consensus of class members
The schedule page lists the current class offerings.
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Computer
Club
The Computer
Club is the name we use for special one-time evening seminars, that are
held every few months. There is no advance registration required, no
cost, and persons of all ages are welcome. Past meetings have included
presentations on Buying & Upgrading Your Computer, Computer
Questions & Answers, Digital Photography, File Management, eBay,
and Viruses & Spyware.
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Where
We Announce Our Events
Our listserver
page tells you how to
subscribe (and unsubscribe) yourself to our free email announcement
system. The listserver announces our classes, computer club meetings,
and other special events such as picnics and Swinging Senior Sunday
Open Houses.
We sometimes, but now
always, succeed in getting our events published in the local newspapers
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4. Who
Operates SeniorNet
Susquehanna
SeniorNet is operated mostly by a group of about 25 volunteers. As with
all organizations, there are some volunteers who can work only
occasionally, while a few volunteers appear to be working as many hours
as a full-time job. Assistance with technical matters we can't handle
ourselves, is provided by the staff of the Brown Library.
The instructors and
coaches who do the actual classroom instruction, come from a pool of
about 15 volunteers.
More
Volunteers Improve Instructional Quality
Most volunteers
learn new things for themselves by coaching or otherwise assisting,
while at the same time helping others . Persons interested in getting
involved are encouraged to browse the volunteers wanted page.
Who
Pays SeniorNet's Expenses
Major SeniorNet
expenses such as computer equipment and furniture are financed by
grants obtained by the Library. Recently grants were obtained from the
First Community Foundation (formerly Williamsport Foundation) amd also
Verizon. Previous class members also make donations. Course fees help
finance the copying of text manuals and other classroom expenses.
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5. SeniorNet
Council
A subgroup
called the SeniorNet Council, consisting of about 12 volunteers,
handles all the tasks of scheduling, staffing, publicity, making copies
of textbooks for class, financial, record-keeping, producing and
snail-mailing printed newsletters, and a myriad of other administrative
support tasks (including this web page).
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The above photo taken
September 2005, shows part of the SeniorNet Council.
See Page
9 'Staff Photos' for newer photos.
Shown from left to right:
- Maria Gustafson
(overall administration), George Gedon (publicity), Karl Facy
(treasurer), Art Kline (chairman), Dennis Yohe (computer maintainance),
Margie Shaw (newsletter), Flo Landon (member at large), Jane Kline
(secretary)
Council Members not in
picture:
- Marge Baney, Marie
Compton, Deb Damaska, James Ingram, Deryl Maruschak (STEP), Larry
Straka, Janice Trapp
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This page modified 10/23/2009
by