Anyone who believes they have been ‘digitally excluded’ now have a chance to brush up on their skills, courtesy of a new computer training initiative from NUI Galway, Limerick Community Connect, DCU and Age Action Ireland.
‘Click & Connect’ will deliver basic computer training for free to 400 people with no prior experience of computers and the internet, between January-June 2012, from the Discipline of Information Technology at NUI Galway. Class sizes will be small and will be carried out in local, informal learning environments.
Tutors will introduce students to computer basics and teach them activities such as surfing the internet, creating and using an email account, how to download photos and how to access Government information online.
Prof Gerry Lyons, Dean of the College of Engineering and Informatics, said there are thousands of people living in Ireland today who have been left behind when it comes to the internet.
“Older people will particularly benefit (from ‘Click & Connect’), as will unemployed people and disadvantaged groups in the Galway region,” Lyons said.
“These people miss out on opportunities most people take for granted. For example, those not yet online cannot send emails, do internet searches for products or information, or conduct Government transactions online,” he added.
‘Click & Connect’ classes, funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, will be two hours in duration and run for three weeks. More information and registration for the classes can be obtained from co-ordinator Trish O’Connell in the Discipline of Information Technology at 087 057 1967 or clickandconnect@nuigalway. Classes begin the week of 16 January.
