Hackney Silver Surfers at The Lawns

Flash drive workshop, Wed 23 July.

This will be an afternoon workshop, 2.30 — 4.30 pm, on Wednesday 23 July. We invite anyone who has recently bought a flash drive as well as veteran users. We will try to solve any problems you bring to the workshop.

This will also be an opportunity to update programs you may have on your existing flash drive — there are new versions of some of the program you may be using, including Skype, Irfanview, Thunderbird Mail and Opera web browser.

Text editing refresher course (1 day), Fri 25 July.

This will be a one-day course, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm (with the normal breaks) on Friday 25 July. The tutor will be Rick.

The course is for anyone who needs to improve their text editing skills — at any level, including new learners. Text editing is a key skill for all computer users. It is something we do all the time — word-processing, email, filling in web forms. It’s really very easy, but many of our learners need a bit more practice — which is what you will get if you attend this course.

This is an informal learning course, so there is no enrolment procedure. If you would like to attend, please email Rick.

Spreadsheets and data course (2 days), Wed 30 July & Fri 1 August.

This will be a two-day course, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm (with the normal breaks) on Wednesday 30 July and Friday 1 August. The tutor will be Rick. The course is for anyone who handles data of any kind, eg: looking after membership records or accounts of small organisations and clubs.

We will focus mainly on using spreadsheet programs such as MS Excel and Open Office Calc. We will aim to give you some practice in entering data effiently and quickly, using simple formulae to analyse your data, and creating charts to help you understand it. We will also consider the actual needs of the people who attend.

You will not need advanced computer skills to do this course, but it is not really suitable for absolute beginners. If in doubt, attend our text-editing refresher course first.

This is an informal learning course, so there is no enrolment procedure. If you would like to attend, please email Rick.

The Lawns will close on Friday 15 August and re-open on Monday 1 September

Enrolment is open for the next series of ‘StartIT 50+’ courses. These beginners’ courses, funded by the Hackney Learning Trust, lead to a City & Guilds certificate. Learners attend our ultra-friendly centre at The Lawns, two days each week, approx 10 am to 2 pm.

World-Wide Web & Email
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 June to 16 July.
An introduction to the Internet, and how it can change your life.

MS Word
Every Thursday and Friday, 12 June to 18 July.
An introduction to a popular word-processing program.

NB: You cannot enrol by email or phone. There are forms to be filled in (to satisfy the funders), and that can only be done at The Lawns.

Eyes
Take eye-breaks every 10 minutes by looking away from the screen into the distance. Don’t forget to blink your eyes!
If you have problems reading the text, increase the size of your text instead of leaning over to read what is written.

Working and Relaxing
RELAX!!! your shoulders and hands while working.
Take a small walk or stretching-break preferably every hour.
If you don’t use the mouse or if you are not typing, relax your hands in your lap.

Mouse
Move your mouse with your whole arm, don’t just wiggle with your wrist.
Don’t squeeze the mouse but hold it lightly and place it close to the keyboard so you don’t have to reach to use it.

Typing
Do not hit the keys as if you are hammering them, touch them lightly.

Taking Breaks
Don’t use the computer for too many hours in a row!
Listen to the signals your body is sending!
Pain should not be ignored but should be taken seriously in order to prevent possible damage.