Richmond Regional High School students trained as community computer tutors
Three Richmond Regional High School (RRHS) students received training from Literacy in Action (LIA) on Wednesday to become Computer Tutors to help their community members acquire basic computer skills. The three volunteer tutors, all in their first year of high school, participated in a lunchtime training workshop given by LIA trainer, Etienne Domingue.
“Basically they were taught how to make contact with a learner,” Domingue explained. “They learned how to establish goals and break them down into digestible pieces to facilitate learning.”
The trainer explained that LIA uses a learner-centered approach in its tutoring, meaning that each person seeking support comes with their own challenges or concepts they want to get better at. As a result, the volunteer tutors need to be given tools to make them better teachers, rather than specific information about different aspects of computers.
“These are not formal classes on typing,” Domingue said, explaining that past participants have come looking to master programs like Skype or platforms like Facebook. “People want to learn how to function on the Internet.”
This will be the 3rd consecutive year that the Richmond Regional High School Community Learning Centre partners with Literacy in Action to provide intergenerational, one on one computer tutoring services to the community in this way, meaning that although some past volunteers have now graduated, the team on hand has grown in both number and experience.
Tutoring sessions in Richmond will be offered once a week over the lunch hour. Community members 16 years of age and older will have the opportunity to sign up for up to four consecutive weeks of tutoring, free of charge. Members of the Richmond community who are interested in the one on one tutoring may call 819 826-3702 ext. 24026 or email richmondclc@etsb.qc.ca.
Domingue highlighted the fact that LIA is looking to expand its computer literacy tutoring programs across the Eastern Townships, as well. Anyone curious about the program elsewhere in the region, either as a learner or a tutor, is invited to contact Literacy in Action at (819) 346-7009.