President's Message
by BJ Martens 

Classroom and Lab Schedule

This month we have no Seminars scheduled in the Classroom as many of our instructors are still away for the summer, but the SIGS and KKs are all meeting in the Classroom at their regular times. In the Lab we have a full calendar with two hands-on Classes, two Boot Camps and the first two of a series of Macintosh classes.

What is the difference between a Class and a Seminar  and what are SIGS and KKs?

Classes and Seminars

A Class is a topic that is taught in the Lab where the students each sit at a computer. A Seminar is any presentation that is not hands-on. All Classes are held in the Lab equipped with 16 PCs. All Seminars are held in the Classroom which is set up lecture-style. Both the Lab and the Classroom have a fully equipped PC for the Instructors to use for presentation of the lesson or topic on an overhead projector.

For the hands-on classes in the Lab, typically the lesson plan is prepared as a PowerPoint presentation which is displayed on the overhead as the instructor goes through the lesson(s). Often the instructor prepares handouts for the students to follow, and sometimes the instructor distributes files on CD for the students to open and work on as the lesson progresses. Sometimes the instructor will email the files as an attachment so the students can work on them at home... but this is more for a multi-session course.

The schedule for Classes and Seminars varies each month depending on how many members offer to present or teach a topic.

Boot Camp

Boot Camp is a series of hands-on classes that are taught in the Lab. Boot Camp is designed for the beginning or novice computer user. There are typically five 3-hour classes spaced 2-3 days apart. The instructors use a combination of instructional materials including an overhead presentation, a manual, handouts and lessons on CD. The student purchases the manual and the Club duplicates and distributes the CDs to the students. Three coaches assist the students as needed. Registration is limited to 12 students.

There is usually one Boot Camp each month, but due to high demand we scheduled two Boot Camps last month and again this month.

Beyond the Basics

Another series of classes called Beyond the Basics teaches the student more about how to use the three primary computer applications: Windows, Email and the Internet. These classes are not offered this month due to the heavy Lab schedule. Watch the Lab Calendar in the Gigabyte for the next Beyond the Basics series.

SIGS and KKs
 
SIGs are Special Interest Groups where members with common interests meet at regularly scheduled times to learn from and share with each other. There is usually a presentation and there are always people eager to answer questions. KKs are Kaffee Klatches  a more relaxed setting with no set topic and lots of interaction. Some KKs are primarily Q&A and some incorporate Q&A with a presentation.

SIGs and KKs meet once or twice monthly on a pre-set schedule. KKs meet in the Classroom and most SIGs meet in the Classroom but some use the Lab.

Something for Everyone

As you can see, no matter your level of knowledge or your learning style, your Computer Club has something for everyone. You are welcome to attend any of these functions  or all of them, if you wish!