 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Home
|
|
|
Japan SeniorNet Presentation 【014】Software/curriculum currency. Software/curriculum currency. New students are buying their systems from stores and they get "current" line equipment. What we teach must closely approximate what they see on their systems at home. Therefore we strongly recommend that the centers keep the software and the curriculum right up to date. Microsoft, Intuit, Broderbund and our other software sponsors have been very good about shipping us the latest releases of their products. However, this can put a strain on the center, depending on the magnitude of the conversion to new releases. Do you have to retrain the instructors? Or redo the workbooks? Can you run the new software on the existing computers? There is also a time when you literally run out of capacity on the computer, generally about every 3-4 years. The conversion to Windows XP is a prime example. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 256K RAM. Many of our centers can do this BUT you also need a minimum of 300MHZ, and a few GB's of hard drive available as well. So the question becomes do centers upgrade existing systems, or do they buy brand new systems? The job I currently hold is that of the Learning Center Consultant and Regional Trainer for the Southeast region of the US. I have responsibility for approximately 40 centers. Since most of them are geographically dispersed, most of my contact is done by e-mail or telephone. My key task, really my only task, is to develop and maintain communications. Since each center runs its own programs in its own way, often they tend to look inward and not worry about what is going on in the other centers around them. I can honestly say that no two centers are alike. Since these are all retirees, with other things to do in their lives, getting their attention is often a challenge! E-mail is the communication vehicle of choice, I try to send a general message to all centers in the Southeast every couple of months, most often announcing new curriculum or new programs. But almost every day, I am in communication with individual centers, generally in response to a query on how to accomplish a change in curriculum, to acquire new hardware, change in classroom environment, etc. A classic example …. In the mid-1990's, every center wanted to offer Internet classes. But the cost of providing a telephone and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account line for each system was prohibitive. About 4 years ago, we started to recommend the installation of Local Area Networks, called LAN's to enable the use of proxy server software. This software would enable all computers in a center to share a telephone line and an ISP account. This in turn would save considerable money over the alternative of a single line and ISP account for each system; or enable those who wished to begin offering Internet classes to do it for much less. Since every center had different systems, that were of different ages, and different speeds, with different hardware capabilities, it was my task to assist in helping those who were not technically proficient in determining first, their hardware requirements, and second, the best manner of procurement. You can do so much with e-mail, but most of these required at least one telephone call to iron out the details. As we begin our conversion to Windows XP, I see a similar kind of challenge in determining how each center will address the upgrades necessary to run XP. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
シニアのための市民ネットワーク仙台 仙台市青葉区一番町２ー５ー１２ 一番町中央ビル８階 Copyright(C) 1996-2000, Sendai Citizens' Network for Seniors E-mail:info@sendai-senior.org |
|
 |
|
|