The Computer Group is lucky to benefit from excellent facilities at the local Blandford School, meeting every Monday in term time in two of their spacious computer suites, which can accommodate 20 plus at any one time. There is no charge

 

One session, for those newest to using computers, is run by Hannah a School IT specialist, this is from 3:30pm to 5pm on term time Mondays.

 

The second more advanced group is run by Group Leader John Rees.  This runs at the same time in a different classroom.

Once a month (first Monday) the more advanced group decamps to Sturminster Newton where one of our members David Shepherd helps run the Learning Centre. This session runs from 2pm to 5pm enabling some more in depth topics and to use facilities not available at the school. David also runs regular Taster courses for those just starting out at the very begining and all U3A members are welcome to book the other courses he runs for the Learning centre (nominal charge £5).

 

All abilities are both welcome and catered for, and even total novices can be given a helping hand.

March 2010: The Computer Group is still going strong. We meet every Monday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Blandford School in Milldown Road during term time. We currently have approximately 20 regular attendees almost evenly split between two groups.

 

The Beginners’ Group has been making steady progress in the basic use of Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Desk Top Publisher, while absorbing and bringing on a small number of newcomers to basic computing.

 

The Advanced Group has been looking at some of the more esoteric aspects of common Microsoft software application tools and short-cuts, in addition to functions within the Control Panel and other elements of the XP operating system.

 

On the first Monday of each month , the Advanced Group meet in the Sturminster Newton Learning Centre under the guidance of David Shepherd, who covers Internet and other applications which are not available at the School due to limits placed on their system.

 

We have plenty of spare places within the two parts of the group (we can seat up to 25 in each group) so if anyone would like to either learn about computing, enhance their current level of skill, or even learn how to use a computer to support a particular interest, please contact the group leader.