Submitted by Rock Island Communications
Rock Island Communications has been working hard to bring high-speed fiber optic and wireless connectivity to the San Juan Islands, offering islanders a better option for internet and phone service. Now what?
Rock Island Communications will provide free, weekly classes to help islanders take better advantage of emerging technologies and the new high-speed internet solutions being deployed on the islands. Each class will have a specific subject. The basics of the subject will be presented in the first hour, followed by an hour-long Q-and-A session. These classes are designed for those who are just beginning to dip their toes in the world of technology and want some knowledge of the basics to build confidence in their own ability to use technology properly and safely.
Rock Island is happy to provide these weekly classes free for the rest of this year as a community service to help people be more confident and comfortable in their technology use. The intention for this educational series is to help our neighbors foster a greater sense of confidence and to ease some of the trepidation that some people may feel when dealing with technology.
“Ultimately, we would like our customers to not have to rely on others to help them solve minor problems and more importantly, hopefully, avoid those problems before they occur,” said a Rock Island representative.
Examples of class subjects include:
• Streaming: How to watch TV without having cable or satellite service
• TV Remote Control Basics: Making sense of all those buttons
• Techno Babble: Technology terminology and why it’s important to use the correct terms.
• Computer Basics: Mousing, clicking, double clicking, drag and drop, etc.
• Connections: Wifi, Bluetooth, USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI and more.
• Smartphone and Tablet Basics: Swiping and tapping.
A lot of these subjects will overlap and as the classes progress, attendees should be able to see how all these pieces fit together and interrelate.
Terminology is probably the single most important and overarching theme for all of these classes, as terminology is the first and most frustrating barrier in understanding technology. Using the correct terminology also helps to prevent miscommunication and makes finding solutions to problems much more efficient and less stressful for all parties involved.
These classes are not intended to make anyone an expert in technology. They are designed to make technology a bit less daunting and/or frustrating. Hopefully, attendees leave with more confidence and less apprehension towards these new-fangled devices.
Stay tuned for a class schedule. Contact the course instructor Gene Nery at 378-5884 Ext. 316 or gino@rockisland.com.
