|
Click me!
For the
May
Issue of
e-News.com
Check out our
Class Schedules
Check out our
Seminars
and Workshops
Check out our
Favorite Sites and
Downloads
You can find us:
Hot Springs Village Website:
HERE
Welcome to the
City of Hot Springs
OUR
SPONSORS
To visit
click their Logo
Want Info on your local
Driver Safety Program?
Click Here
|
Welcome to the
Hot Springs SeniorNet Learning Center
Our
Mission
The Hot Springs SeniorNet Learning Center is one of over 140
SeniorNet locations throughout the U.S. and is based on the belief
that helping older adults acquire and apply computer
literacy skills will not only enhance their self-esteem but will
also allow them to access a world of information available
in today's technology oriented society. The Hot Springs SeniorNet
Learning Centers 100% volunteer staff is intent on accomplishing the
SeniorNet National organization's mission of helping senior adults
gain computer skills and technology to enhance their lives and
enable them to share their knowledge.
SeniorNet also operates the SeniorNet web site at
www.seniornet.org. SeniorNet
is the only organization to recognize that the key to getting
seniors online is to teach them how to use a computer! Older adults
have special needs and SeniorNet acknowledges those needs and
consequently has been the leader in developing
curriculum and tools to accommodate this unique audience.
Our History
In 1993, St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center and SBC shared
the vision of bringing a SeniorNet Learning Center to Hot Springs,
Arkansas. With space and computers donated by St. Joseph, Hot
Springs SeniorNet opened its doors using five computers and the
teaching and learning tools provided by SeniorNet National. For
several years, with just four dedicated instructors, classes
ran at full capacity. In 1996 a second learning center was opened in
the St. Joseph's McAuley Senior Center to accommodate Hot Springs
Village area seniors.
In 2003 the original Hot Springs Learning Center was relocated from
St. Joseph's Hospital to their sponsored Senior Center in Hot
Springs on Woodbine Ave. At this new location expansion rapidly
occurred increasing the number of computers from five to nine. In 2005 another classroom
was added along with eight additional computers. New courses were
added and an increased number of volunteer instructors enabled
expanding the available class days and times. The enrollment
increased from 20-30 students in the early 90's to our present
average of 170 students per session.
Our Programs and Our Technology
Our overall program is based on
SeniorNet National guidelines. We have three sessions annually. Each
session consists of an eight week series of classes. Each class is
approximately one and a half hours long. All classes are hands on,
so each student has use of a computer and our 17 classroom computers
all have the same program formats. All students are provided with a
manual specifically written for each course. The self-paced
instructional manual is included in the nominal course fee of $20.00
for each eight week session plus a $40
annual membership fee to SeniorNet National.
In addition, several ½ day workshops on computer related topics are
scheduled during the year. All of the classes and workshops are
taught by volunteer instructors and coaches who are in the same age
categories as the students. In fact most all staff members are
former students. The lessons are structured for the learning
pace of the senior student. In addition to our courses and
workshops, we offer several seminars through the year
at the Garland County Public Library.
The 50+ age group is a generation of Americans who typically,
left the workplace before computer literacy was a required job
skill. Now, they see their children using computers in the home and
at the office; they see their grandchildren doing homework on
computers; they hear and read about the Internet - and they feel
left behind. We provide our students, even those who have never
used a computer, basic computer skills such as: how to turn
the system on and off; how to use the mouse to "drag and drop" and
"point and click"; how to write, edit, save and print a letter; how
to manage personal finances; and how to access and use the Internet
and other online services to send e-mail to family and friends. In
addition to learning basic computer literacy skills, students are
offered a variety of advanced courses such as introducing the
student to the utilization of peripheral equipment: scanners, printers, external drives, digital
cameras and similar equipment, as well as types of software that are
available in the marketplace.
SeniorNet is a remarkable organization and our volunteer staff is
eager to help the Hot Springs senior community take advantage of the
computer learning opportunities available through SeniorNet.
 |
