8. Pros and Cons
• Size of class is right
• Peer support developed due to
mixed ability
• Discovered barriers that could be
addressed
• Too long between classes – change
to 4 sessions over 1 week
• BT’s Digiguides are good, but need
to be personalised for
Scotland/Ayrshire/Interests of the
learners
• Laptop would be better with a
mouse
Ok, the money’s in place. The premises are there. Lets get set up.
Premises are quite small, think family bathroom x2 , could probably seat 4 over 2 desks. It worked for sewing group although a bit cramped.
It didn’t work, space was too tight to move about in once people were in place. There were some issues as well trying to run 5 laptops and a projector from the MyFi, plus it’s a small old building in a narrow old street with lots of other buildings in close proximity, signal strength was an issue and there is no telephone connection in the premises.
We had ordered new laptops, but they hadn’t yet arrived, so we culled existing laptops from staff, but they had a variety of configurations, operating systems and software.
Had to concede defeat, it wasn’t going to work well.
So……relocated classes to our existing office, wished it looked like this but it doesn’t. The main benefit being that there is robust wifi from a landline router.
Changed all the advertisements that we had on social media to reflect the change in location, couldn’t do anything about the posters, but as had to phone to book a place we could explain then.
I chose 4 guinea pigs from my caseload of employability customers, ‘cos that’s what I do. Deliberately kept it small, with the plan to increase class sizes as we went along.
Familiarised myself with the training package I had chosen to use from BT. It easily fitted into covering 2-3 modules at each class with everything completed in 4 classes. Comprised set up, internet basics, everyday help, keeping in touch, your family, services and support, media and entertainment, money and shopping.
From the first class it was obvious that there were wide variations in ability. From never ever having touched any kind of computing equipment to owning a tablet but only using it to look at photos.
There were also other barriers thrown up, e.g. literacy issues.
Participants found the use of the track pad on the laptops quite difficult.
First one down! Lets review.
The format didn’t work well. By the time the participants had come to the second class a week later, they had forgotten what had been learned at the first one.
The BT digiguides were a bit “clunky” to deliver.
The laptops were frustrating participants.
So, some good things came out of the review, but some things needed to be changed
Changed to delivering the class over one week, running mornings, Monday to Thursday, with a free format class on the Friday where participants could do whatever they liked, on their own but with support if required.
Because of some of the trackpad and literacy issues, we overran often, so for the second class the timings of the class were lengthened.
The BT digiguides, while good had links to certain things which weren’t relevant e.g. links to the National Careers Service which only covers England & Wales.
First things first, have mice ready for participants who need them.
The most wonderful thing that came out of the first class was the strong peer support.
So, all sorted, raring to go, nothing’s gonna stop us now!
And whomp! Down to earth!
For all of our publicity through our social media channels, our website, word of mouth, leaflets and posters, uptake was very slow.
There were a number of people who signed up but then didn’t attend, others who just wanted help on one particular area and didn’t want a whole course. But overall engagement was poor.
So, next steps. Lets do this differently. I am currently engaging with local community groups with the aim of digi-fying their group.
“So you like to knit, where do you get your patterns?”
“In the wool shop?”
“Have you ever accessed patterns on-line?”
“No? Let me show you?”
I have also instigated 1-2-1 digital sessions tailored to what the participant requires. This includes workshops on making best use of your mobile phone, undertaking semi-supported Office training (through ALISON, working at their own pace, using our IT and with support on hand if it is required)
Will it work?
At the moment, I don’t know, but I am here today to pick your brains for more good practices.
