After-school computer technology class rocks

(See information on upcoming sessions below.)

"The students are amazing."

That's what Mark Rawlings says about the teenagers enrolled in his Inver Hills After School Cisco Academy for local high school students. "They're intelligent, they're conversational, they're humorous, and they make teaching easy because of their dedication and ability," says Rawlings, an information technology instructor at Arlington High School in St. Paul, who taught the 15-week class last spring through the Continuing Education department at Inver Hills.

The class and the teacher are pretty amazing, too.

The 15-week class is an intensive introduction to computers and provides preparation for A+ certification, but the mood in class is much more about being engaged and having fun. "We start with discussion about new technology and what's happening out there," says Rawlings, about his first 15 minutes of class. "It helps them settle in and gets their interest up." What do they talk about? "Google buying Yahoo, the Mac i-phone and open-source software available to enhance its use, the long-awaited release of the Starcraft 3 video game."

Exercises including taking apart and re-assembling computers, installing operating systems, network connections, and more. The students follow the study guides for each chapter and get plenty of practice and reinforcement that's fun. "I make up crossword puzzles and wordfinds and try to help them as much as I can with learning," says Rawlings. He also plays a Jeopardy-type game to prepare for tests.

Skip class? Never, says Rawlings. Students have come to the class, which meets 3:30 to 5:30 twice a week, even during their school's spring break. The program is voluntary but the cost is $75, a bargain says Inver Hills Continuing Education Dean Dave Anderson:  "The interest from teachers and staff at our local schools, who recommended students, and from the parents was phenomenal. We heard from twice as many families as we could accommodate with this first offering," says Anderson. "Computer classes and clubs exist at many schools, but for the advanced students, there are fewer options." The college meets that need through high-end lab's and instruction and an outcome that matters, says Anderson, of the CompTIA testing that the after-school students qualify for. "That's a credential that will get you an entry-level IT job working at a Help Desk or supporting PCs in the workplace," he says.

Upcoming classes

Two versions of the class are offered this fall. Call 651-450-3365 for details or visit www.inverhillstraining.org

Basic Computer Technology I (focuses on PC hardware and software skills), $75
Meets T and Th, Oct. 2-Dec 11, 3:30-5:30. Three locations available:
Apple Valley Higher Ed Center, 14200 Cedar Avenue
East Metro OIC, 1919 University Avenue, St. Paul
Inver Hills Community College, Hwy 52 and 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights

Computer Networking I (networking for home and small business), $75
Meets M and W, Sept 29-Dec 15, 3:30-5:30
Inver Hills Community College, Hwy 52 and 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights