Where I cover: Nottingham City, Stapleford, Beeston, Mapperley and Gedling, West Bridgford, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Cotgrave, Keyworth, Ruddington and Clifton.

To contact Brenda, click here. 

Availability: Mainly Thursdays and Fridays but I can often adapt to suit if these days are not convenient, also most evenings and weekends.

What I Teach

• Introduction to Computers
• Browsing the internet and sending emails
• Shopping online – how to shop on line safely and securely
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Powerpoint
• Using a digital camera
• Photo editing
• Video editing
• Using your printer
• Using your scanner
• Buying and selling on Ebay

About Me

I have spent a large part of my working life in the training division of a major company developing computer based training software within the automotive industry, helping technicians and tutors use new technology to aid their daily working routine.  Most recently I have been working part-time designing websites for a company in the West Midlands.

Having spent a couple of years renovating my Edwardian house I developed a keen interest in DIY, but mostly out of necessity.  I love to do a little gardening, you can often find me tending to my tomatoes in the greenhouse and each year I try to increase and improve my vegetable growing.  I also enjoy travelling to unusual places, my most recent being to Cuba and Vietnam.  My friends are important to me and I don’t usually miss out on a good night out with them.

Having taught my Father to use a computer I realise how daunting learning to use a computer can be, but with a little encouragement and experience, the fear of doing something wrong goes away and is replaced with the desire to learn and achieve more.  I will tailor the learning on a one to one basis to suit your needs, which means you can learn at your own pace no matter what level to want to achieve.  If there is something special you want to do on your computer, just ask, I may be able to help.

Where I Cover : Halesowen, Dudley, Stourbridge, and the areas surrounding these towns.

To contact Lynne, click here.  

Availability: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to early evening. Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm

What I teach:

• Computing for beginners
• How to set up, create and manage e-mail
• Online Shopping
• Online Official Form Filling
• Basic Digital Photography
• How to  set up and video call relatives aboard
• Computer and Internet Security
• How to download music and film to create CDs and DVDs
• How to begin tracing your family tree
• How to create slide shows using Powerpoint
• How to use any of the Microsoft Office applications
• Introduction to social networking sites, e.g. Facebook, Twitter

About me :  After 12 years of working in an office environment, I became a mature student .  I studied for 4 years at the University of Worcester, achieving an upper second BA Hons degree in History and Renaissance Studies.  In the noughties, I moved into the field of Further Education, teaching IT and Basic Skills. I taught not only in a classroom setting but also online, in an e-learning environment.

I worked for Worcester College of Technology for 3 years as a Learndirect tutor, and have most recently established myself as a freelance IT coach. My website is http://www.the-ap-coach.co.uk I hold a number of IT qualifications, including ECDL, and Microsoft Office certified Expert and Specialist.

Apart from my interest in all things IT, I do enjoy walking, cooking and foreign travel.  I also devote time to voluntary work, currently IT tutoring and home visiting for Age Concern.

I believe that no matter what age you are, or what background you come from, everyone has the potential to build some or many computer skills.   It is a matter of practice, patience and gaining confidence.

The computer is just a tool and it is hugely satisfying to help others learn how to use it with growing confidence and enjoyment. The internet, with its unlimited source of information and entertainment, can be daunting and I can help you find your way around or show you how to keep in touch with friends & family.

I can help you share the excitement and save you both time and money.

Where I cover: Brighton and Hove

To contact Barry, click here.   

Availability: I am available daytime or early evenings.

What I teach:

• The very basics of using a computer
• How to use the mouse and keyboard
• The internet and email
• Printing and scanning images
• Contact and diary management
• Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and databases
• Safety and protection of computer operation
• Backup and security of information
• Home networks
• Digital photography and image editing
• Online shopping
• Webcams and video communication
• Organising your music
• Computing and genealogy

About me:

I am 59 years of age, happily married with children. We have a second home in Cyprus (within a nature reserve) where my wife and I enjoy our hobby of photography while exploring the countryside.

Through my background in computing over many years I have often been called upon to advise and guide individuals, whether colleagues or friends, on their use of computers, software, and a diverse range of digital gadgets and services. I believe that a key quality of a tutor is empathy and an understanding of the other person’s needs, priorities and capabilities.

I have been working with computer technology and software since graduating from University where I studied Electronics. As well as using computers in my work as a business tool I have embraced the many aspects of the digital world in my life outside work. I consider myself to be an ‘advanced user’ of the Microsoft Office suite (including Access and Publisher). As well as the various Microsoft products, I use a range of Web development tools to support several personal websites which I have developed. I use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social and business networking sites.

A user of email and the internet since the very early days of the industry, I am able to advise on various communications services including Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, Messenger live, Skype, etc. I am familiar with most common internet browsers Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.  I also know my way around domain registration and management.

On the home front, I am a keen photographer and use the computer for all my photo cataloguing, processing, scanning and printing (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements). My digitised music CD collection is accessible over my wireless home network and I use several multimedia applications.

As the boundaries of digital technology become increasingly blurred I have followed the convergence of media broadcasting and the internet and feel fairly comfortable in being able to navigate around and find what I’m looking for. I consider myself a careful and responsible user of the internet and am aware of the many risks from viruses and spyware. I take data security very seriously and take steps to guard against the constant risk of phishing, identity theft and other internet based scams.

Having used computers for much of my adult life I am very aware of the need for regular backup and am familiar with the use of mirroring and synchronisation tools as well as the use of backup media and storage devices.

I realise that my knowledge of technology and software is way beyond what a typical person would need and my approach is to always guide them through the maze without expecting them to have my level of understanding. To that end I can offer a patient and confident hand of reassurance to help break through the technology barrier.

Having not grown up with computers, I have had to learn how to use them for my work and personal interests, by trial and error. I am now keen to share my knowledge and skills with others, as they take their first steps into the unknown with this useful and entertaining technology!

Where I cover: All the main towns in South Cheshire, including Crewe and Nantwich, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Congleton, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Winsford and Tarporley.

To contact Andrew, click here. 

Availability: I am available Monday – Friday, by prior arrangement.

What I teach:

• Switching on – a practical guide to getting started, for absolute beginners.
• Basic Computer Skills – using the mouse and keyboard, navigating around the screen, managing files and folders.
• Using the Internet – for online shopping, banking, booking travel and searching for information.
• Using the Internet – for communication by Email and using social networking sites (including Skype, Twitter and Facebook).
• Auction Sites – how to set up and actively use an  E-bay account.
• Editing and filing digital photographs and creating your family tree.
• Saving your favourite music and making CDs.
• Build a simple website for hobbies or a small business.
• Start a blog.
• Security awareness and precautions.

About me

For over twenty years I owned and managed my own wholesale and retail business in Cheshire.  Since then, for the last twelve years, I have been working for the Chambers of Commerce in South Cheshire,  providing information and guidance to their members who were planning to start some form of self-employment or business.

As part of that role, I deliver group training sessions as well as business coaching and advice on a one to one basis. In order to develop my delivery skills and style, I recently completed the City and Guilds, Levels 3 and 4 in PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) which gave me a fascinating insight into the professional teaching process and some new, invaluable and practical, teaching skills.

My first serious encounter with a computer was when I started working with Chamber clients. Apart from some early ad hoc training from colleagues and at poorly-equipped, or crowded, local evening classes, I have developed my own knowledge of information technology, simply by using it for my work, or to pursue various hobbies and interests. In fact, I suspect that this is how most people acquire their computer skills and is probably as good as any as it is the interest in the subject that makes it an enjoyable and compelling process. I believe that one of the best ways for someone new to computing, to pick up their basic skills quickly, is to be shown how it will help them to acquire some area of knowledge about a topic of close interest to them.

One personal example of this was when I decided to show my 87 year old Father how the system worked. Although he had been employed well into his seventies, first in the RAF and then for a local engineering company, he had never touched a personal computer and showed little inclination to do so until I broached the subject, with a topic I knew would be of interest to him. When I brought his old school up on the screen, with a list of past Head Masters and the Old School Song, he was instantly hooked! A few minutes later, I left him on his own, with mouse in hand, enjoying an unexpected trip down memory lane and a great sense of satisfaction for me – an excellent example of the aims and objectives of Digital Unite!

Another, more work related example of how the ‘IT’ world has helped enhance my career over the years – like many, I have developed a ‘portfolio’ career (a combination of job and self-employment) and have done so by quickly and cost effectively creating a website to promote each activity. In my case, three examples are http://www.businessbasics.co.uk, http://www.telecomplus.org.uk/costsaver and of course http://www.digitalunite.com.

After work, I find the internet and my computer indispensible in my leisure interests, particularly sailing and music. When arranging an annual sailing week with a group of friends, who live all around the world, emails will fly round the group for months before the trip. I have set up a shared Blog, in which each member can contribute, to record our adventures and have registered a domain name for a proposed website, which will add to our entertainment and interest in our hobby.

As information and communication technology (ICT) now affects all of us, in many areas of our lives, it is really vital that everyone has at least some understanding of what it means to them and how to use basic technology, to obtain services from banks, local government and medical centres, as well as exploit it for family and social benefit. I hope to play a small part in this social revolution.

One of my goals is to teach and demonstrate how using computers can be an enjoyable experience, as well as a very effective way of saving both time and money. It is very rewarding to see people become an active part of the Digital Age, with all the advantages it offers.

Where I cover: From the south east, east and centre of Bristol to west and north west outskirts of the Bath area, including, Saltford, Keynsham, Kingswood Longwell Green, Oldland and all districts within the Postcodes of BS1 -BS5; BS14; BS15; BS30; BS31

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

What I teach:

• Computer (laptop), printer & scanner essentials for beginners
• Introduction to Windows (Various versions latest Windows 7)
• Email, Microsoft Outlook and Webmail
• Web browsing & social networking (Facebook, Twitter)
• Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, & Powerpoint
• Top tips on saving time & money online – cashback, auction (eBay)
• ‘Video-phone’ friends & family all over the world for ‘free’ (Skype)
• Enjoy music, video, digital photography, TV & radio on computers
• Computer security and safety – antivirus, antispyware
• ‘Housekeeping computers’ including backups and data storage
• Advice on purchasing a computer, assistance with setting it up
• Optimising, upgrading existing equipment for minimal cost

About me:

Family man, with a wife and five sons who has recent experience of helping the older members of my family in their late 70’s down to the youngest age 3 become confident in using a computer.

Significant computer tutoring experience of providing one to one training to numerous people from the early 1990’s implementing voice recognition software for personal clients. Built own computers for professional and personal use.

Co-founding Director of a software company, which included managing the Technical Infrastructure (servers, networks, desktop & laptop computers). Qualified Microsoft Certified Professional with over 20 years experience with computers and IT.

When time permits, outside normal work and family commitments, enjoy watching rugby and cricket fixtures (especially when sons are playing); walking, playing some golf, and the occasional days sailing, when the opportunity arises.

Where I cover: South Leicestershire: Market Harborough, Kibworth, The Langtons, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Billesdon, Foxton, Great Glen, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley, Narborough, Fleckney, Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston.

Availability: I teach on 2 to 3 days a week at mutually convenient times

What I teach:

• Getting to grips with your computer
• Word – processing
• Publisher – publishing
• Excel – spreadsheet
• Powerpoint – presentations
• Internet – searching – shopping – hobbies & study – online safety
• Email – Outlook  - Webmail (Hotmail, Yahoo, etc)
• Presentation software
• Using a digital camera and transferring photos to your pc
• Photo editing – Picassa, Photoshop
• Skype – internet phone and video calls
• Using your printer
• Using your scanner
• Keeping your computer files organised

About me:

For many years I worked for Northamptonshire County Council, enjoying helping people to use library services including computers and the internet. Whilst mainly self-taught I am trained and qualified to ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) level.

In 2001/02 I managed a project bringing access to computers and the internet to people in libraries across Northamptonshire. This was part of national government initiative known as the ‘People’s Network’ that aimed to bridge the ‘digital divide’ between those who were and were not computer literate. Following that I worked for 2 years on a Community Access to Lifelong Learning (CALL) project, teaching computer skills to disadvantaged people, including the over 60s, people with physical and mild psychological disabilities, the unemployed and people from ethnic minorities.  In recent years I have worked in library management and I currently work part time as a Library Projects Officer.

I am committed working with Digital Unite to help older people learn to live more independent lives through the use of computers.  Being over 60 I can empathise with those who are retired or in this age group.  During my years with the library service I delivered training courses such as ‘Computing for the terrified’ and I fully realize how daunting computers can be to people with little or no experience of using them.  I am happy to teach anyone in their own home. I aim to give simple clear advice in plain English, avoiding getting over technical.

My outside interests include reading (mainly thrillers), walking, music, movies and digital technology in general. My great passion is photography. I went fully digital some years back and I enjoy helping my DU clients to get the best out of their digital cameras.

I am professionally qualified with http://www.bcs.org/" href="http://www.bcs.org/">BCS; and whilst setting people up with broadband, computers and laptops have found a need more and more for the novice and elderly amongst us to have someone to just spend time talking things through until they are confident.

To help with is this I have now introduced a remote support and training feature which lets me connect to people’s computer in their own home enabling me to provide training and support in small manageable amounts without having to visit.

Where I Cover: Northampton, Northamptonshire as far as Wellingborough, Daventry, Flore and down to Towcester.

Availability: I am usually available all the time during the day and some evenings, I try to keep tea time for family.

What I Teach:

• Phones, systems, DECT, Lines, packages, Mobiles
• Broadband :- Wired or  wireless , Cabled or ADSL
• Computer Hardware, Printers, scanners, digital Cameras
• Storage and backup, File Transfers from one machine to another etc.
• Networking , FTP transfer
• Operating Systems, 95, 98, ME, XP , Vista & Windows 7
• Internet Access, with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome
• Email systems, Internet mail, Outlook, Mail (Vista & Windows 7) Google Mail
• Microsoft Office all packages from 1997 to 2007, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook
• Sun Open Office, all packages Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. (this is an alternative to Microsoft)
• Paint Shop Pro, resizing, colour changing, scanning, screen grabbing, redeye etc.
• Music/Video/DVD  ripping/ storage/ iTunes/iPods/ DVD Writing
• Google Pack products, Picasa, Google Earth (Sea & Sky)
• General house keeping

About Me:

I am very much a family man, two young children, two older children & 3 grandchildren. I like to think I am very much a people person. I like nothing better than a nice chat. I am in my late fifties, and my 1st role is to ensure the children are all up ready for the school bus runs etc.

What has that to do with computers?, you may ask, well my wife and children call me “chief geek” or “anorak”, because once you get me talking technology, then best you be ready!

My favourite hobby, when I am not gardening or DIYing is reading Quantum Theory!

I used to be a senior IT executive for one of the largest multination companies in the world (read about me in http://www.cetservices.co.uk/images/CWEEKLY.jpg " href="http://www.cetservices.co.uk/images/CWEEKLY.jpg">Computer Weekly). When I retired from that I expanded my own business (http://www.cetservices.co.uk/" href="http://www.cetservices.co.uk/">CeT Services ) which is now a Limited company, of which I am the Managing Director.

If you want to read about the services provided have a look at these links.

• http://www.itprofessionals.co.uk
• http://www.mylocalservices.co.uk

I am also the Chair of the Northampton Branch of the BCS the Chartered Institute for IT  and hold Chartered Status.

So you see if I had told you my IT Qualities/Qualifications at the start, you would be terrified of talking to me, thinking I would be one of the many high flyers types that talk another language. Nothing could be farther from the truth, I have taught many people from a whole variety of ages and skill levels, from senior executives who have the odd minute here and there to ladies and gentlemen in care homes needing to get a bet on the horses or wanting to chat/email family abroad. I even taught a lady who could not read to access the stock records at her work so she could her job!

Where I cover: Netley, Hamble, Botley, Stubbington, Lee on Solent, Titchfield, Locks Heath, Hedge End, Park Gate, Whiteley, Fareham, Gosport, Wickham, Havant.

Availability: Monday and Friday 9am – 6pm, Tuesday – Thursday 9am – 11.00am, 4.00pm – 6.00pm

What I teach:

• Basic computing (using Windows XP and Vista for loading programs, saving and retrieving files)
• Use of the internet for shopping, banking, searching for information
• Use of the internet for communication & social networking (email, msn, Skype)
• Microsoft Office Applications – Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel
• Digital photography – enhancing photos, editing and saving in various formats
• Creating paintings, drawings, logos using Microsoft Paint
• Creating personalised stationery, greeting cards, calendars etc

About me:

I was trained as a secondary school teacher and taught for 28 years. In 1990 I took a Diploma in Education in Business and Information Technology at Southampton University; from then on I have taught GCSE Business and Information Technology to children and CLAIT to adults. The GCSE course concentrates on teaching the use and benefits of the computer through using the World Wide Web and various applications such as Microsoft Office.

Having been head of a school IT department for several years I decided I wanted a new challenge and for the past 4 years I have been self- employed, purchasing a set of 15 laptops and teaching IT to people of all ages (from 5 to 80!) in classroom situations, less formal computer clubs, offices and one to one in private homes. I can be much more flexible allowing me to tutor adults either using their own computers or providing a laptop for them to work on. With 15 laptops at my disposal I have also been able to run specific training sessions for small businesses that require their employees to learn a particular application – I provide both the teaching expertise and the laptops.

I decided to join Digital Unite because I feel there is a real need for tutors to help bridge the digital divide. The internet is becoming such a dominant element in our society that I think people are at a real disadvantage if they are unable to or lack confidence in using it.

]]> http://tutors.digitalunite.com/2009/11/03/caron-fuller-fareham-gosport/feed/ 0 http://tutors.digitalunite.com/2009/09/16/alan-pollard-salisbury/ http://tutors.digitalunite.com/2009/09/16/alan-pollard-salisbury/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:31:34 +0000 bobholmes http://tutors.digitalunite.com/?p=214 I am a friendly, approachable, patient and highly experienced IT professional who has held very senior positions in both the public and private sectors. My profession is also my hobby and I like nothing better than tinkering with computers and finding out what they can do. As a Digital Unite tutor I want to share my enthusiasm with newcomers.

Where I cover: I live in Salisbury in Wiltshire and cover an area south of the Salisbury Plain and into East Dorset and West Hampshire. Towns and cities such as Winchester, Romsey, Southampton, Wilton and Shaftesbury are within easy reach and I can travel further by arrangement. Telephone help can be provided and, once you are up and running, written (email) support is always an option.

Availability: As I am now retired from full time employment I am usually readily available and can do evenings and weekends to suit.

What I teach: Practically anything you need to know to get started in computers, IT, the Internet, the Web and so on. As you get more confident, I can help you spread your wings and experiment. Even if you don’t actually have a computer but just want to learn more about them before taking the plunge or want some advice on what to buy I’m happy to help as best I can.  In summary, you ask; I’ll be honest and say if I can’t do it.

About me: After training as a teacher and then spending 32 years in the Army (retiring in 1998 as a very senior officer with responsibility for Army IT), I spent another 10 years as an IT consultant in the private and public sector working at Board and Senior Government Department level. I was elected President of the British Computer Society for 2008-2009 and my main Presidential theme for the year was based on what the Society members can contribute to the communities in which they live, work and play.  I am a member of the Trustee Board of AbilityNet (a charity that provides IT help for people with disabilities and am a keen supporter of iT4C (IT for Communities) which is a volunteering organisation sponsored by the IT Livery Company in the City of London of which I am a Liveryman. I have been married for over 42 years. We have a son and daughter – both with very successful careers.

My burning ambition is to show you how your life can be enhanced by the purposeful activities you can perform on your computer. My method is patient and understanding tuition in the comfort of your own home.

Where I cover: North Norfolk including Sheringham through to Cromer and around to Mundsley. Down to Norwich across to Dereham around to Fakenham then back up to Sheringham and all villages in between. But I will consider going further afield. Just ask!

Availability: I am very flexible and I will work weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.

What I teach:

• The basics – let’s demystify it all
• Sending and receiving emails
• Online shopping and banking
• Word processing and desktop publishing – create stylish letters, newsletters or documents
• Surfing the web – research your hobbies and interests and look up old friends
• Buying and selling on eBay and Amazon
• Using social network sites like Facebook and Twitter
• Managing and editing digital photographs
• Transferring music on vinyl or cassette to CD or any digital format
• Transferring video tapes to DVD and producing DVD and CD sleeves
• Save money by upgrading and repairing your PC
• Setting up your own website
• and so much more – just ask!

About me:

I live in Briston in North Norfolk with my partner Sally. I have three boys who live in Kent and London and I visit them as often as my work permits. I enjoy walking; listening to music, especially live music; computing; internet research for family history; photography and video recording. I joined a local amateur drama group where I work backstage. I also volunteer at a drop-in centre where people can drop in for advice or just a chat.

I left school in 1965 and became a computer operator with Post Office Computers, now BT, working on the telephone billing system. Then each phone call was a series of punched holes on a 40 column card and they were all hand fed into a card reader. That was the first part of my computer operator’s career!

18 months later I became a computer engineer working on the first commercial computer in the UK, the LEO III, for English Electric Leo Marconi. EELM soon became ICL. I worked for 2 other companies, Texas Instruments, where I trained in Austin, Texas, and BASF where I trained in Germany. I became a self employed video producer in 1988.

Computers in the early days were housed in very large air conditioned computer rooms. If anyone is interested I give a talk about the history of hard drives using PowerPoint and photographs of the older equipment. I have also produced a DVD about early computing. (Please look at my website for further details:  http://www.david-parkhouse.co.uk" href="http://www.david-parkhouse.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.david-parkhouse.co.uk)

When I started work disk drives were very expensive and few companies had them. So paper tape, magnetic tape and punched cards were the way data was input or output. There were no screens or keyboards.

Part of my computer engineer’s job was to train other engineers.

I started a video production company in 1981 working in parallel with my engineer’s job and in 1986 I bought my first PC, an Amstrad 1512. It had a mono screen, no sound, no hard disk just large floppy disks. I bought one because my handwriting wasn’t very good (it still isn’t!) and I wanted to produce professional looking letters and brochures for my video production company. I used a dot matrix printer.

I used an Amiga 2000 computer for video titling and I ran a course for the Amiga showing how to use it effectively.

I use three PCs for my business. One for all my letters, brochures, accounts, DVD covers etc, one disconnected from the internet for video editing and DVD production and a laptop for general things and when I am away working. I upgrade, repair and maintain all three PCs. I also help other people with their PCs. I quickly became known as Mr Fixit amongst friends and family.

In 2009 I took the PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) City and Guilds course 7303, a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening course showing how to teach adults. I was appointed as an IT Pool Tutor for the Norfolk Adult Education Service in July 2009. I also took a Foundation Course in amateur radio.

I love meeting people. In my life I’ve met and helped, in one way or another, many, many people. I hope that I meet many more. My belief is that technology is for everyone, so let’s remove the fears and get started – Together we’ll open doors you probably didn’t realise were there!