Newbie to the Computer

[ozbound]

We have a new part-time employee at our office, a woman in her 30's who has barely touched a computer before!
I've been assigned the task of helping her learn. Does anyone know some good websites she can go to or other things that would help her practice and get used to the thing? I sent her a couple of e-mails and she did pretty well responding to them. So far so good!

[blufire21]

I've never endorsed them before, but in this case I will.  You should get her the book Computers for Dummies .  It could be a good resource for her when you are not around.


Ellen in TX

[andream]

and the VTCO online courses are great and some of them are really basic windows stuff too at www.vtco.com  I like them because they offer streaming media and they actually show you where to click, what to click, etc, I believe they have a few on windows, and postive they cover all the microsoft products.  You can do the first three modules free too, before you have to take a membership and that's a LOT of lessons

[bethalize]

I love this one that I sent to a parent
Tech Tutor It's possibly a little basic for what you need, but never underestimate people's need to take it slowly. I was looking at one screen for five minutes before I realised that if I did what it said it would all work out!


Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[laundryhater]

Computers for Dummies.

Why would your company hire this person if she doesn't know much about computers? That makes no sense.

Too bad she's only a part-timer. Makes it tougher to justify sending her to a couple computer classes. It's too expensive to spend that kind of money on a part-timer.

[countrigal]

Does your office/company offer any basic computer classes?  I know ours does, and refresher courses and such.  Our IT office is in charge of offering a certain number of classes each quarter just so that our nurses, docs and anyone else we hire can get some computer training without a lot of expense.  Might be a suggestion to have your IT workers provide.

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[ozbound]

She does have other skills that are valuable to the company, and apparently her job (which she's also done before for another company) doesn't involve too much in the way of computer skills. Also, so far she seems to be a very fast learner! Should have her up to speed in no time. It would be helpful if we could find her some stuff to work on at home. A "Dummies" book (as someone suggested) might just be up her alley!

[jadegrniiz]

I think this will sound weird.... but let her play SOLITARE!  It'll help her A LOT with her mouse coordination.

We have a lady in my office that doesn't know a hill of beans about computers.... but we love her dearly and just take the time to show her what's what. She's been to classes in the past.... just doesn't retain a whole lot. It takes patience if you aren't used to working with someone with no computer skills.... but just remember we *all* started out somewhere, just like she is now... and will eventually get the hang of things



Jadegrniiz
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[fireproof]

You learn best by doing! (Well, at least I do).  She needs to take on the simple tasks and work out how to do them; even better if someone has the time to look over her shoulder and drop helpful hints!  I doubt, however, if anything will "stick" if there isn't a need to USE it!

[chevygirl55]

Been there!

Thirteen years ago I went to work at a very small, very computerized office.  I was the office staff and was expected to do payables, receivables, payroll, correspondence, reception duties, etc.  I had no computer experience but a great boss who said here is the computer, here are the manuals.  I am here for any questions you have.  I'll spend as much time as you need helping you but you are in charge.  He spent a fair amount of time with me the first week and after that I rarely had to ask for help.

Imagine my delight, when four weeks after I started he called me in and said I was doing a great job, he really apreciated my initiative and gave me a raise.  I would walk on coals for the man!

Today, I am the "Go To" person for others in a larger office who need computer assistance.

Just encourage her.  Let her know that she is in charge of learning what she needs to know and that you will be there to help anytime she has a question.

chevygirl