Digital Divide Train the Trainers in West Philly

Posted by on October 31, 2003

October 16, 2003
Dear Community of Faith Leader,

Are you a community leader or teacher interested in making a difference in your neighborhood? Do you have a working knowledge of computers that you want to share? Then PUCFSN (Programs in Universities, Communities of Faith, Schools, and Neighborhood Organizations) and Bridging the Digital Divide invite you to participate in Training the Trainers!

Training the Trainers is a free class that teaches community members to use their existing knowledge of computers to teach others. It is geared towards both current and prospective computer teachers within the West Philadelphia community. The goal of this six week course is to create a positive environment where participants critique and learn from each other in order to develop and refine their teaching skills. Penn students guide and mentor community members who want to better their neighborhoods. The first three classes will cover teaching fundamentals: how to outline a course, how to create a lesson plan, and provide suggestions on how to teach using computers. The course facilitators will then provide an example of how to effectively teach a class. Integrated into the class are opportunities for participants to create group assignments, and to prepare and teach their own lessons. These exercises are designed to boost participants? teaching confidence, while providing an opportunity to receive constructive comments from their peers, and detailed personal feedback from the course facilitators.

Training the Trainers is open to anyone who has basic computer knowledge; course participants should possess a working knowledge of computers from their home, professional or academic use. Classes will be held on Mondays, November 3rd through December 8th, from 6:30-8:30pm at University City High School, on 36th & Filbert Streets. All are welcome! For more information contact Natasha Mitchell at natasha_mitchell@yahoo.com or 215-898-8324, or Erica Gelser at egelser@ccat.sas.upenn.edu or 215.573.6412.

Sincerely,

Erica Gelser
Director, PUCFSN

Natasha Mitchell
Coordinator, Digital Divide