The Campbell Computer Learning Lab has two primary functions: class instruction and open public access. A typical week involves 6 or more regularly scheduled hours of public access with an instructor or volunteer on hand to assist users. In addition there are anywhere from 6 to 12 additional hours of classroom instruction per week. Classes are offered in Basics, a three tiered sequence of classes on Computer Literacy, and a handful of specialty offerings. The very moderately priced classes offered are almost always filled, and additional sessions are frequently added. In the first full year of operation over 300 people completed classes in the lab, and there were well over 500 open lab visitors. A new offering of monthly open-house events with guest presenters and special topics will commence in September 2000.

These are a sample of the diverse ways Campbell Computer Learning Lab has made a positive impact on the lives of individual participants:

One Lab user was able to find a long lost college friend on the Internet, and communicate for the first time in decades. Another gained skills to enable her to develop and enhance her on-line business in rare-books for children. Another was able to create a resume, send it out on email, and develop some solid job leads. Another was able to finally find and print out detailed directions for a particular oragami pattern that she had sought for years. Another researched information for a real-estate investment that would have taken him weeks without the Internet. Another was able to find the records and a photograph of an airplane he flew in World War II.

The participants in the public access open labs represent a very wide variety of users and activity. Most of the lab users are seniors, with beginning to advanced computer skills, doing email, internet research, and computer recreation. In addition there are a good number of community visitors to the lab, with a similar diversity of abilities and interests. Email is probably the most popular use of the lab computers. Internet interests include shopping, health information, news, gardening, employment searching, geneology, politics, market and investment information, and entertainment. A fairly large number of the lab participants seek assistance, and advice with both software and hardware problems with their home systems or internet connections. Often, participants enrolled in classes attend the open lab to practice material learned and ask further questions.

Philip Bayles, Coordinator
Campbell Computer Learning Lab
psb@efn.org