All courses and workshops are open to current members of SeniorNet Kapiti Inc. Non-members wishing to join courses or workshops are required to join SeniorNet Kapiti first.

Our Teaching Philosophy

For a long time, SeniorNet Kapiti used the “Cheryl Price” method based around comprehensive, detailed manuals and self-paced instruction. While this was reasonably successful, it is a methodology based around delivering much higher levels of achievement than most SeniorNet members require (i.e. NCEA-unit levels). It was hard to teach students at different levels and we had no real idea how much had actually been learnt by the end of the course.

Since early 2012, SeniorNet Kapiti has focussed on teaching students the basics of each software application without over-complicating things with extraneous and seldom-used functionality. This is backed up with a strong emphasis on using the in-built “Help” facility for clarification and learning additional features. With courses limited to a maximum of 5 * 2.5hr sessions, the actual content to be taught is strictly limited to only the essentials needed to get underway with each application. Manuals are no longer used and tutors are required to demonstrate application functionality to students using the laptop and overhead projector as outlined in the Tutor Notes for each Session. In each 2.5hr class, there will be between 5 and 9 of what we call “Describe, demonstrate, discuss and do” segments. Each demonstration is normally followed by specific (documented) exercises to reinforce what has been taught. Assistant Tutors provide personalised assistance to students during the exercises.

Every session is backed up with a concise one or two page summary which is handed out at the end of each class and should be retained by students as a permanent reference document of the key learning points.

Tutors are encouraged to respond to specific (on-topic) questions provided they are confident they know the correct answer. Any significantly off-topic questions will be referred to the How Do I…? Workshops to avoid delaying the entire class with individual queries.

How are our Courses Structured?

Courses are structured into 3 categories –

Beginners
Basic Skills
Specific Skills and Tools.

Beginners: Members with limited PC skills are encouraged to join the (free) Beginners Course and may repeat it as many times as they wish. This course offers focussed one-on-one tuition as students work through a checklist of basic skills. Members with iPads should attend the first session of the iPad Basics Course where they will be assisted to set up their tablet prior to moving onto the more details material in the main course.

Basic Skills: Once the basics have been mastered, members are encouraged to take one or more of our courses teaching basic computing concepts. The skills we offer include learning to use Windows 10, Windows (10) Mail and managing the data on your PC. In addition, comprehensive basic skills courses are offered for users of Apple as well as Android (Samsung, Sony, Huawei etc) tablets and smartphones.

Specific Skills and Tools: With the Basic Skills mastered, members can move on to a variety of courses teaching subjects like managing and editing your photos, writing documents (MS Word) and doing calculations on your PC (MS Excel).

Our course and workshop structure can be seen visually by clicking the diagram above
To see detailed descriptions of all current Courses click here
To see detailed descriptions of our regular Workshops click here
To find out when our upcoming Courses are being held, click here
… and upcoming Workshops click here
To see the cost of our courses, click here

Now you have all the information about how we run our courses, why not sign-up for something that interests you…Complete the application form below and when done click on the Submit button and you are on your way to become computer literate.

If you would rather speak to a real person, why not call Teresa on (021) 169 6256
(during daylight hours only please).