Dick Smith Sponsorship

New laptops for DORA thanks to Dick Smith sponsorship :)

http://www.voxy.co.nz/technology/sponsorship-help-tackle-new-zealands-digital-divide/5/177535 Tuesday, 17 December, 2013 - 10:49 Dick Smith has announced a new sponsorship for the 2020 Communications Trust’s Computers in Homes programme. The announcement was made in Christchurch today by Micah Gamman, Director for Dick Smith in New Zealand. Part of the sponsorship includes new laptop computers for DORA, the Trust’s mobile digital learning centre, based in Christchurch. Representatives from the 2020 Trust and Computers in Homes were present to receive the new equipment. "We are delighted with this support from Dick Smith," said Laurence Millar, Chair of the 2020 Communications Trust. "Our Computers in Homes programme is 50% funded by central government, but we rely on support from business and community partners to make up the balance." Computers in Homes currently supports 1500 families with school-aged children each year to develop their digital skills and connect to the internet. "Our vision is for every school-aged child to have access to the internet in their homes within 5 years; it is important for these children to have parents and grandparents who have the confidence to use digital technologies and engage with their children’s learning," said Mr Millar. "The latest Census data released earlier this month revealed that there are just over 62,000 households with school-aged children that do not have access to the internet. This means over 200,000 children are immediately disadvantaged when it comes to 21st Century learning, as their online access will be restricted to school hours whereas their peers will have access 24 hours/ 7 days a week. The support from Dick Smith will help to address this digital divide and ensure all our children have equitable learning opportunities," he said.

Whakapumau Twilight Gala

DORA had the pleasure of joining the festivities at Whakapumau Twilight Gala this month. Many eager children came onboard to explore - and to have a sneaky game or two :)

DORA at Phillipstown

Phillipstown School and its community has had much press recently due to merger action http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/schools/9266954/Phillipstown-Woolston-school-merger-unlawful
The Phillipstown Community Day has been running for many years, but today was DORA's first experience of the event. Heaps of action - pony rides, pizzas, bike rides, popcorn, singing, dancing and much more. Was great to see many Computers in Homes families coming to check DORA out. The Phillipstown community was having a wonderful time.

DORA at Phillipstown Community Day 25 October 2013 on PhotoPeach

Rehua Marae

Rehua Marae on PhotoPeach

Classes underway at Shirley Primary School

Computers in Homes classes are underway on board DORA at Shirley Primary School this term.

Computers in Homes classes on DORA at Shirley Primary on PhotoPeach

Romance Blossoms - CCL Blog

Romance blossoms while reminiscences flow – DORA and Library to go

Posted by dazzle under Books, Libraries, Old Age, Technology | Tags: Christchurch, digital learning, E-Books, Internet NZ 2020, older people, Papanui High, Positive Aging expo |
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Looks like a spring romance is developing with Library to Go again sighted  in the company of celebrity DORA Mobile Digital Learning Centre. Abandoning their usual rendezvous point at Sumner for bustling Papanui High School,  they shared a common love of everything digital at the Positive Aging Expo.

Equitable computer access and education were promoted, while the nostalgic pored over digitised photographs, maps and plans of Christchurch’s heritage. The adventurous explored iPads and e-book readers, and a great day out was had by all.
DORA was blown away by scooping the top award in the Internet Access & Digital Skills category at the 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (ANZIAs), held in Australia last year. For those of you who have not met DORA before she supports equitable computer access and education. Funding support from InternetNZ, 2020 Communications Trust has converted DORA into a hi-tech mobile learning centre to support her Stepping Up classes and Computers in Homes programmes in Christchurch. Since the quakes, venues at schools have been limited, and transport often unreliable – DORA takes her digital learning to any venue.
Watch out you never know where this happy couple may turn up next.

http://cclblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/romance-blossoms-while-reminisences-flow-dora-and-library-to-go/

Positive Aging Expo

On Monday 30 September, DORA visited the Positive Aging Expo at Papanui High School, along with the Christchurch City Council library van. Many visitors came on board to enquire what programmes are run on DORA; to explore the library website, or to just have a look. DORA always stands out from the crowd - her satellite dish, solar panels and connectivity intrigue people. Volunteer, Janet De Lu, kindly helped out on board.

Councillor Glenn Livingstone visits

It was wonderful to have a surprise visit from Councillor Glenn Livingstone while DORA was in Brighton this morning. Glenn was responsible for cutting the ribbon when DORA was first launched in November 2012 - nearly a year ago now.
 

Maori Wardens train on DORA

Otautahi Maori Wardens are currently upskilling with SteppingUP on DORA - Fantastic!!

DORA in New Brighton

DORA has been visiting Phillipstown for the last month for Stepping Up classes, and is now heading to Brighton.  http://www.steppingup.org.nz/   She will be parked in Hawke Street, opposite the New Brighton Fire Brigade on Thursdays. Classes start at 10am and finish around midday. The following is the timetable, although content is flexible:

29 Aug: M/S Word - inserting pictures, page borders, text/typing, Xmas cards,etc

05 Sept: Communicating Online - emails/attachments/FBk. etc
12 Sept: Digital Images - taking photos, mainpulating images, saving to memory stick
19 Sept: CVs or spreadsheets (a choice here!)

DORA joins the libraries van in Sumner

Today DORA parked up alongside the Christchurch City Council library van, in Sumner, to compliment their  service. Our new volunteer, Gregg Scaife, was onboard to help with email and other enquiries. Just showing one lady how to zoom in was enough to make her day! (Ctrl+) Next week we will have our new volunteer driver helping out as well. Go Team DORA!

DORA to compliment Chch Library Van

Team DORA is expanding as we recruit volunteers to drive and tutor on board. This will enable DORA to be more accessible to communities.
DORA is about to trial parking up alongside the new Christchurch City Library Vans, to compliment this book service to communities. The library vans have a very busy schedule visiting suburbs that no longer have access to a  library as a result of the earthquakes.
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/mobiles/

CORE's Modern Learning Environments Expo

Early in June, CORE Education held a Modern Learning Environment Expo to showcase the architecture, pedagogy, information, ideas and environment to inspire school communities. DORA was able to participate by giving visitors to the expo a chance to come on board and view her high tech setup.

Stephen Heppell

 Julia Atkin

 Rodney Walker

Cheryl Doig

Computers In Homes classes on DORA

Due to lack of spare classroom space and facilities, some Computers in Homes classes are taking place on DORA this term.

Busy start to the year for DORA

DORA has had a very busy start to the year, with Stepping Up classes three times a week; Children's Day; Ruby on Rails and "Come to your Census".

  

Ruby on Rails

Rails Girls workshop held at Central New Brighton School on the weekend.

Busy weekend for DORA

This Saturday, (2 March)  DORA will be parked up at Central New Brighton School, in support of Rails Girls http://railsgirls.com/christchurch and Wifi for Humanity http://wififorhumanity.org/  "Wifi for Humanity Christchurch hosts the Rails Girls movement this March in the pleasant beach-side village of New Brighton. During the free two-day workshop we’ll dive into the magical world of Ruby on Rails. Learn designing, prototyping and coding with the help from our local Rails coaches and experts."

On Sunday, (3 March)  DORA will be on site at Streets Children's Day http://bethere.co.nz/community/2013/11152-childrens-day 
"Run by the Christchurch City Council, Streets Children’s Day is dedicated to celebrating children, reminding adults to do something special for the small people in their lives, and providing the perfect opportunity for families to take part in events alongside one another."

   

Stepping Up Timetable on DORA

10am – 12pm	Aranui  (Tues) (cnr Breezes/Pages)	Waltham  (Wed) (Hastings St East)	Rowley Ave  (Thur) (School)
Online Trading TradeMe	19 Feb	20 Feb	21 Feb
Desktop Publishing Photos/Cards	n/a	27 Feb	28 Feb
Spreadsheets Microsoft Excel	5 March  (Work readiness – CVs)	6 March	n/a
Microsoft Word Editing, spell check,  etc	12 March	13 March	n/a
Dig Communication e-mail/Facebook	19 March	20 March	21 March

Stepping Up Term 1 2013

Free Stepping Up classes on DORA, for Computers in Homes graduates, will be at the following venues this term:
10am Tuesdays Aranui (cnr Breezes/Pages Rd)
10am Wednesdays Waltham (Hastings St East by school)
10am Thursdays Rowley (Rowley Ave School)
All start week of 18 February. You can come to which every is closest for you. Come along to the first class to register and book for other classes.
See you there :)

 

 

 

Quotes

Quotes from SteppingUp classes on DORA:


 "This was my first class on Dora what a great learning tool and enviroment we learnt about how to navigate our way around trade me, this will be so helpful for my whanau."

"LEARNING NEW THINGS EVERYTIME THAT WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME,LOVING IT THANK YOU SO SO MUCH DORA...."

"I am an artist and art tutor. I can pass skills on to my students, ie; make cards from their paintings, keep a record of paintings, drawings on computer. "