Katie Nash, Bishop’s Stortford
Posted in All Tutors, Hertfordshire
I have a C&G Teachers Certificate and have been teaching IT for more years than I care to remember. I used to teach in colleges, but now I teach on a 1 to 1 basis in peoples own homes - beginners and those with some experience.
Where I cover: NE Herts, West Essex, South Cambs, SW Suffolk, North, East and Central London.
Towns/Cities: Bishops Stortford, Stansted Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, Gt Dunmow, Chelmsford, (and Harlow, Ware, Royston, Cambridge, and St Neots if convenient)
To contact Katie, click here.
Availability:
I am available to teach most weekdays, from 8.30am until early evening, though I do have short-term commitments which have to be worked around. I will also consider occasional week-end work.
What I teach:
- Buying and setting up a computer/laptop, including Internet set up
- Beginners basic skills – the keyboard and the mouse, files and folders
- Internet searching - Internet Explorer or Firefox
- Email – Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Outlook etc or Web-based email
- Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Access (Databases), PowerPoint, Publisher
- Address label/personalised letter creation for xmas cards/party invites (mail-merge)
- Intermediate and advanced skills if required
- Databases – set up and use
- Pictures and Sounds – Picassa, Webcams, Music Applications
- Computer and Internet Safety and Security and General Housekeeping
About me:
I live in a small village a few miles from Bishop’s Stortford on the Herts/Essex border. I have been teaching IT for many years, and, though it is hard work, I’m really pleased I made the switch from techie to teacher.
I started my IT career as a Computer Operator for what was then Midland Bank (now HSBC). The computers were in a purpose-built room about the size of Wembley Arena – and not too far away from it, either. They – the computers – and the printers were huge, noisy beasts and, by today’s standards, very slow.
Over the years, I have worked in many roles within the industry, as a Programmer, Systems Analyst, Technician, Network Manager and also in preparing, setting-up and manning stands at IT Exhibitions.
It was after taking a Returning to Work course that I had my first chance to train students. On this course, we had a day with an IT ‘expert’ who went through elementary computer basics with the class. He was, however, on the point of leaving, so I volunteered my services, and took a number of these one-day classes over the next year or so. I loved it. The feeling of pride when a student lost her fear – they were all ‘hers’ – and produced some work from a WP Application sometimes brought a lump to my throat. They were all so grateful. I was hooked.
I have since taken Stage 1 of the City & Guilds 7307 Further and Adult Education Teachers Certificate, and have taught courses from ‘A’ level and GNVQ Advanced right through to ‘Computing For The Terrified’. I am also qualified to teach and test ECDL. However, 1 to 1 training in your own home (or workplace), on your own computer is my preferred style.
Some few years ago, I read about Digital Unite in Country Living magazine and immediately thought ‘That’s it; that’s what I want to do!’ I logged on to the site, downloaded the application form and have never looked back.
Most of the college classes I used to take were a little frustrating because I had to teach a set syllabus, which was not necessarily what the students wanted, and, inevitably, there are students who did not get the attention they needed – a 2hr (120min) session with 12 students, after taking off time for admin and queries, means an average of less than 8 minutes per student.
Digital Unite gives me the opportunity to do something I love, with people who have a desire to learn. And, because I teach what students want to learn, one-to-one, it is a highly satisfying and rewarding process for both my students and myself. And I still get a lump in my throat sometimes!
The friendly, helpful people at Digital Unite give great support and encouragement to new and experienced Digital Unite Trainers alike. I consider myself very lucky to have found them.
March 2nd, 2009 bobholmes | Comments Off