You might have seen this website mentioned on our Blackboard page: GCFLearnFree.org First a little background information.
If you have read some of my other posts, you have probably read I work for a nonprofit here in Columbia, Fast Forward. One of our services we used to offer was free, or low cost computer training classes for a variety of computer related topics. Sadly, the last year has been detrimental to nonprofits. Grants are less numerous; donations and partnerships are down. All of these provided the funding to operate the nonprofit. To keep our place open, along with a few other programs, we had to cancel all future classes, as it was one of the costlier items to run.
Luckily, we had been instructing users to give GCFLearnFree a look when the class was over for extra practice. This software was developed by Goodwill Industries, and they have really done a fantastic job expanding upon their original idea for the website. Self paced tutorials and courses with continuing educational credits are available.
Multiple versions of Microsoft Office are available, whereas only Windows 98 and XP are the only available operating systems. Windows Vista's course is still under development. These courses are certainly not anything in high level detail. They do a fantastic job at making someone competent enough to understand the basic functionality of the program. It also reveals tips/tricks along the way. It's quite easy to follow along, especially if you open the program on your local computer.
Computer related offerings are not the only available courses. Life skills topics, mathematics, tax assistance, etc. It is all available on this website. Completion of these tutorials and courses make you eligible to receive certificates for your work.
This probably sounded more like a GCFLearnFree informerical, but I really cannot say enough good things about this website. While some may prefer the classroom setting to the virtual world, those that are receptive to learning new concepts and ideas will hopefully be happy to try out online education. It is certainly worth making the effort.
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I had never heard of this website... but it seems to offer a great service to people! With many of us having an awareness of the fact that we need to be "lifelong learners," this is a great tool.
ReplyDeleteI hate to hear that Fast Forward is not doing well, unfortunately in this economy we are probably going to be seeing a lot of non-profits closing their doors. That is one of the reasons I have enjoyed our HRSM 301 project. It has been so hard to convince people to donate in a time like this, but I know that what we are able to get will be a great help to the charities we are working for.