Congratulations on being a part of this exciting MESA project!
As a MESA member in good standing, you have been given a laptop computer and access to Microsoft certification in exchange for your participation in community service that is designed to expand access to broadband technology and increase digital literacy in underserved communities.
There is technical support, an FAQ section, as well as other useful things like some pre-service training online in English and Spanish, and the Microsoft certification codes and information.
First, here are some short Training Modules to get you ready to do your community service:
Using the Internet Explorer Browser, first create a Windows Live Account, then go to Microsoft's Digital Literacy Website.
Choose the courses from Microsoft's Basic Digital Literacy Website that you think best fits your needs as a trainer, and the tools you think will be most important to those you are training. Recommended for our purpose are Computer Basics, The Internet and the World Wide Web, Productivity Programs, Computer Security and Privacy, Digital Lifestyles and Advanced Curriculum: Creating an Email and/or Finding and Evalutating Resources on the Web.
Digital Literacy Refresher & Training Techniques is a short summary of things to consider as you prepare to work with the public who may have no digital literacy.
These e-learning modules will give you a nice refresher on technology basics that most of us take for granted, but for a new computer user can be confusing. After this, you should feel better prepared to teach to a wide variety of community members.
http://www.foundationccc.org/mesatrainingreport
Instead of filling out paper forms, after you have completed working with one individual, just go to this link and complete the information for that person and your own info about where and when you did the training and what topics you covered.
Community Training Reporting Sheet is used by you to keep track of the hours of service you have completed.
"Getting to Know You" Reporting Sheet one of these sheets should be completed by each person you work with. A Spanish translation of this reporting sheet has also been made available: "Getting to Know You" in Spanish
These sheets can be mailed in to Cabrillo MESA, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003, or handed in to a MESA staff member. You will have a lot of these sheets--one for everybody you worked with for your community service, and a form for yourself for having worked with each of these folks--around 14 forms altogether.
The second requirement for you to complete is to improve your own personal skill level and obtain an official certification in one of these four most commonly used Office software programs. Apparently, these certifications are not easy to obtain. Even if you use these programs daily, you will need to study the materials to be in a position to pass the tests. The Certificates are valuable to include in your resume and for job-hunting. THIS REQUIREMENT CAN ALSO BE COMPLETED OVER THE SUMMER, AND EVEN DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 2011-2012. To proceed:
1. Choose which software program you would like to obtain a certificate for. (Students are able to complete certificates in more than one program, if desired)
2. Go to the IT Academy website using the following CABRILLO PASSCODES and go through the materials and exercises provided for that program until you feel confident that you have mastered everything. Note that the materials are all for Microsoft 2010 to coincide with the software provided on your laptops.
3. We have been provided free, unlimited, practice exams for MESA students – you can download the practice exam software directly to your laptop computers! Instructions and passcodes for Cabrillo.
4. When you have studied enough so that you are passing the practice exams, set up a time to take the exam with Sue Tappero or Sue Marvin (at MESA on Monday evenings from 6-8)
The California Connects Website gives information about this grant initiative and is a place to share among other MESA community college programs good ideas for community service and also offers some translation of forms into Spanish.
Obama's National Wireless Initiative is the President's plan to help close the "digital divide" by making high-speed wireless services available to at least 98% of Americans. The other part of the plan involves bringing digital literacy skills to those who have little or no experience with the amazing resources available online through computer access.