Pulling PC’s apart inspires formal qualifications

Summary
EverybodyOnline joined forces with the national community development charity, the Scarman Trust to host a Net Technicians course. The two day course is designed to educate people on how to build a Personal Computer (PC), learn about the components and their functions as well as how to set up an operating system. One of the younger participants thought the course was that interesting that they are now choosing Information & Communication Technology (ICT) as one of their A’ level subjects.

What happened?
The Net Tec course was held at the Innovations Factory in Liverpool 8 where project officer Lucy Ethell frequently holds Internet learning sessions for locals from the Liverpool 8 area.  The course had a maximum turn out with a range of people from different backgrounds, and ages spanning from 14 to 60.

Many of the younger participants on the course were from the Liverpool Young Culture Action Group and in the process of choosing their A’ level subjects. The knowledge and positive experience gained from the two day course has resulted in the majority of them now choosing ICT as one of those subjects. L’atasha Mulrooney was one of the younger attendees, whose Net Tech experience has opened up new possibilities, “I thought the course was going to be a bit boring, but it has been great, and much easier than I thought. I am definitely going to be picking ICT as one of my A level options”, she commented.

Over the two days an enjoyable time was had by all, and there was a definite buzz of excitement throughout the venue. By the end of the course everybody had taken a PC apart and put it back together again. The final test came at the end of the two days, when everybody had to test their PC’s to see if they actually worked – and they did!

Key Achievements

• Participants had a unique, hands on opportunity to learn about the technical components and functions of a PC
• All attendees were confident that they could now build their own PC

• The course has resulted in many attendees pledging to take ICT as one of their A- Level Options

• The course received 100% positive feedback

Date: June 2007