COMPUTER CENTRE

Overview
The Windmill Hill City Farm Computer Centre is a space where anyone can come along and use any of our 13 computers.

We are an official UK Online Centre and provide all standard software, including image editing programmes. We have a fast internet connection for those wanting to use the World Wide Web and a range of printers, scanners and digital cameras can be accessed.

We have an interactive whiteboard used for training purposes which is also available for hire.

Accessibility
There are screen magnifiers for people with visual impairments as well as a Braille keyboard and Braille printer. There are a number of different keyboards and tracker balls for those who find standard keyboards and mice difficult to use.

Make IT Yours  – MiY

The Make IT Yours choices outlined below are part of a project called Social Impact Demonstrators as funded by Ukonline which we are going to launch in April this year. Precise start dates have not been set yet although some time indications have been written next to the Choice headings. Some of the choices will be group activities (Choice 3, 5 & 6) and others will be carried out by individuals coming into the centre (Choice 1, 2 & 7) and working through tasks with the support of centre staff. Here are some brief outlines of each choice:

  MiY 1 - Assess Skills & Handle the Basics (from April 07 then ongoing)

Join the MiY scheme, meet mouse, keyboard & screen, discover the Internet via First Time Online (FTOL) & Myguide, learndirect initial assessment, E-Skills Passport, revisit forgotten skills & gain new ones.

  MiY 2 - Improve Literacy, Numeracy & ICT Skills (from April 07 then ongoing)

Explore the challenges of improving literacy & numeracy with ICT using FTOL Taster Home & Leisure Zones, start Word Processing and crunch numbers with Spreadsheets.

  MiY 3 - Telling Stories with Words, Images & Sound (This project was completed in October 2007)

The aim of this Make IT Yours project was to provide adults with mental health issues the opportunity to use photography and writing as a means of self expression through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT). This has then opened up chances for learning about ICT related topics generally, such as: getting online; using email, web design; image editing; word processing, etc.
The resulting works were exhibited here at the farm and at the Totterdown "Front Room" art trail (And are currently on display in the Computer Centre).
Click here to visit the project site.

MiY 4 - Moving on in Learning & Work (September 07 then ongoing + some group activities)

Information Advice & Guidance,  FTOL Taster Work Zone & Next Steps, Volunteering, E-Government job & course search, writing CVs & application forms, as if that isn’t enough!

MiY 5 - Families Working Together (Sept 07 + Feb 08)

Facing learning together across the generations, basic skills, budgeting, FTOL Taster Home Life & Money Zones, E-Gov sites, children using the Internet safely, healthy eating, dealing with homework etc.

MiY 6 - Hard & Soft Awareness (Oct 07 + Feb 08)

Take the lid off the PC and study the guts! Chips & motherboards, memory & operating systems, green computing & having fun!

  MiY 7 - Taking Control of ICT (from April then ongoing)

An ICT Buddying scheme where you plan and decide how best to proceed with the support of staff & volunteers at the centre. Take time out to reflect on what has passed and prepare for what’s to come.

Courses
In partnership with the WEA (Workers Educational Association) we run courses including Introduction to Computers, Next Steps in Computing, Website Design, Digital Photography and Photoshop for Beginners.
Basic Skills courses in numeracy and literacy are also available.  More information on Courses in the Computer Centre are available in our Courses section.

Open Access
We run Open Access sessions where anyone can drop-in to learn new skills or simply make use of the facilities. Help is always available.

Open Access times are:

Tuesdays       12 - 6pm
Wednesdays 12 - 6pm
Thursdays      12 - 6pm

Open access is free for Farm members and learners enrolled on the Make IT Yours programme, or on a Farm  computer course. Non-members pay £1 per half hour of use.

UKOnline
As a UK Online Centre we provide a host of different opportunities for people to learn. This includes free access to the following online activities:

myguide is a website which provides a simple, intuitive gateway to the internet, offering a free, easy-to-use email account and search facility. Users can personalise and keep their settings - change colours and font size, and choose to use the 'hear it' function which reads the text out on the screen.
Myguide has free to use online courses designed for people who have never used email or the internet before, new content is continually being added however, to allow you to progress with your learning.

 Myguide courses currently available:

Starting with myguide               Starting with Computers  Using Public Services Online  Using the Internet Safely  Using the Web  Using email  Using online searches	Understanding Public Services Online Understanding Shopping Online Understanding Job Hunting Online

In addition there are "Skills Checkpoints" - multiple choice questions against which you can test your ICT Knowledge. 
 
Screener and Initial Assessment – check your numeracy &     literacy skills.

t-Government
As part of our involvement with UK Online we provide access to t-Government (transformational government) services including applying for a tax disc, finding courses, accessing information on health issues plus job and careers advice.

Please come in and have a look around. We look forward to meeting you.

The Computer Centre Team