Where I Cover: Based around Camberley and Farnborough I also cover – Aldershot, Church Crookham, Deepcut, Fleet, Frimley, Hawley, Mytchett and Yateley

Post Codes: GU11; GU12; GU14; GU15; GU16; GU17; GU46; GU51; GU52

To contact Michael click here

Availability: Flexible – I am able to make most days and evenings and occasional weekends.

What I Teach

• PCs (Windows) and Apple (Mac) computers
• Introduction to Windows 7 and Snow Leopard
• MS Office 2010, Google Docs and iWork 09
• Email
• Web browsing & social networking (Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs)
• Using the Internet safely (firewalls etc.) and basic security (blocking viruses and spyware)
• Enjoying music and TV on-line
• Basic digital photography and sharing images on-line
• Mobile Computing

About Me

I am married with two lovely daughters and have lived in Farnborough for over 20 years. After working in the City I have spent the last 12 years or so working in education, developing and delivering training courses based on IT and technology for people of all ages and abilities. When I am not running along the Basingstoke Canal trying to keep fit I can be found watching a local game of rugby or being a bit of a geek by looking to see what’s new in the world of technology. I try and keep a blog up to date and will admit to the occasional ‘tweet’. I try to bring a sense of humour to everything I do (including using computers) and avoid taking myself too seriously.

I have seen at first hand how computers can make people’s lives more enjoyable and fulfilling through sharing photos and news and keeping in touch using software like Facebook and Skype.

I am an Accredited Digital Champion and a tutor-assessor for the Digital Unite Academy.

Where I cover: I live in Witley in Surrey and cover an area that includes Godalming, Haslemere, Liphook, Cranleigh, Midhurst, Petersfield and Petworth.

Postcodes: GU2, GU3, GU5 – 8, GU26 – 33

To contact Gillian click here

Availability: My time is flexible and I can usually arrange times to suit you daytime or evening, weekdays or weekends.

What I teach:

• Basic computer skills – using the mouse, keyboard, file management
• Setting up and using email
• Using a search engine like Google to find information
• Using the Internet for shopping, banking, research
• Socialising online with Facebook
• Internet safety and security
• Word processing – letters, documents, address labels – using Microsoft Word
• Spreadsheets – accounts, planning, record keeping – using Microsoft Excel
• Basic photo manipulation and using images
• And more! Please ask if there is something specific you need that I haven’t mentioned here.

About me:

Computers have been part of my life for many years, initially as a programmer, then as a teacher and now working in adult learning. I use computers for work, socialising, shopping, research, entertainment … and so much more.

I am a retired secondary school teacher and have found that the skills I developed in the classroom to facilitate students’ learning are equally applicable to adult learners. I believe in active learning so you won’t get any lectures from me, just lots of hands-on experience until you are confident in your own ability.

I am professional, friendly and endlessly patient. You set the pace – we can take things as slowly or as fast as you like.

I am a local Parish Councilor and enjoy walking in this lovely part of the world. My husband, Bob, and I recently moved into a house with a very neglected garden which we are slowly restoring to its former glory.

Where I cover: Cobham, Esher, Surbiton, Chessington and Hook. Postcodes: KT5; KT6; KT7; KT9; KT10; KT11; KT19.

To contact Bob, click here.

Availability: Monday – Friday, 8.00 – 5.00

What I teach:

• Basic skills: Using the keyboard and mouse; working with Windows (XP, Vista and Window 7); organising the information on your computer.
• Keeping in touch: Email (Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Live Mail, Gmail, Hotmail etc.); Skype and webcams; instant messaging; Twitter.
• Using the Internet: Browsing with Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome; searching for information with Google or Bing; finding and using the websites that interest you; staying safe online.
• Shopping and banking online: Using Amazon, eBay and the websites of the major supermarkets and retailers; understanding how to shop safely; banking and other financial websites; booking travel and tickets; dealing with the Government online.
• Using business tools: Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Open Office.
• Working with photos: Organising your photos using Windows or Picasa; sharing pictures with Flickr or other websites; using Photoshop Elements to manage and edit your pictures.
• Converting records from vinyl to computer files: Copying tracks to your computer and using free tools to make them available on CDs or personal music (MP3) players, e.g. iPod.

About me:

I spent nearly 30 years with a major company, working in many areas related to the use of computers to manage information. I first used “online searching” in 1975, and was excited by the possibilities of the “mighty micro” in the early 1980’s. Throughout this time I was always more interested in what computers could do to improve the way people work rather than the technology as an end in itself.

In 2002 I decided it was time for a change of career and trained as an Adult Education Tutor. I joined Hairnet (as Digital Unite was known then) as a Tutor in 2003. I worked on projects such as Silver Surfers’ Day and the Digital Unite Community Programme and became the Tutor Network and Operations Manager in 2007.

I’ve now retired from my management role to concentrate on being a tutor and to spend more time with my wife and enjoy my hobbies of photography, walking and cycling, and making bread.

I am an Accredited Digital Champion and a tutor-assessor for the Digital Unite Academy.

Where I cover: Woking, Weybridge, Walton on Thames, Staines and surrounding areas.

To contact Fiona, click here.

Availability: Flexible

What I teach:

• Windows and Mac computers
• Internet
• Email
• Skype
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel etc) & Open Office
• Scanning
• Basic Digital Photography using Picassa, Photoshop Elements Etc
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Supernova, Jaws & Zoomtext for people who are visually impaired
• Other technologies e.g. iPad, iPhone, iPod, Kindle
• How to make computers more accessible for people with disabilities or limiting conditions

About me:

I live with my husband and two sons in Surrey, although I originally come from North Wales. Apart from a few years bringing up children, I previously worked mainly in office based roles, starting with the Midland Bank when I first left school and various other organisations including the NHS and a large secondary school. Ever since starting work, I have used computers of one sort or another, although the ones we used in the 1970s bore very little resemblance to the ones we use now!

In 2000, I joined a national charity which helps people with disabilities to access computers and that is when my interest in helping other people to use IT really took off! I started to realise then that computers were not just useful for work but could also be a real lifeline for lots of people, as well as opening up the worlds of work and education to people who may otherwise be excluded from them.

Since joining DU in 2004, I have taught many people, from beginners who want to be able to send an email or browse the internet to more advanced users who want to improve their skills.  I am also experienced in making computers more accessible using the options already built in to applications such as Microsoft Windows and Office and by using specialist software such as voice recognition and screen readers for those who are blind or partially sighted.  I believe that anyone can learn to use a computer, it is just a case of finding the right way for each individual.