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This might be a record (we’re not counting),
but @chiever Henry Olvera has completed 24 online classes in less
than two months, since getting his Business Access computer.
And get this, before getting his BA computer,
he’d never used one, ever! Congratulations, Henry!
Henry is married and lives with his wife and
two children in Brownsville, Texas. We hope the computer isn’t
distracting him from his family responsibilities. He was online
for more than 44 hours during November and over 40 hours in December.
What has having his own computer been like
for Henry? “I was scared at first,” he says. “I
always thought they were really hard to use. Now, I think it’s
easy.”
A Fast
Start
Henry went to orientation in early October
of 2002. “They showed me how to turn it (the computer) on
and get on the web site. They gave me a booklet (Orientation Manual).
I took that home and read it over. A week later, they delivered
the computer. The delivery people were kind and helpful. They helped
me remember stuff I’d learned and got my password and login.”
The first class Henry took on the computer
taught him about the computer itself. “It showed me where
the speakers were, (what) the disk drive was, and how to use them.”
Can't
Get Enough
Since then, he’s been full speed ahead. “Now
when I get on the computer, it’s hard to get off,” he
says. “I take a class, a test, check the weather, or I go
to a chat room. I also like the program that I can use to draw
and paint.” (Drawing is one of Henry’s hobbies.) Henry
has also learned where he can look for jobs on the Internet.
“ The computer has helped me with my
English, and my typing is a lot faster. When I first got it, it
was like one finger at a time… now, I’m much better.”
Henry hopes to become an auto mechanic, television/radio
repairman, or electrician. “I know for almost every job they
tell you that you have to know how to use a computer. Now, I know,” he
says confidently.
His next goal is to use the computer to study
for his GED, so he can pass that test and begin training for his
new career.
If he keeps learning at this pace, he’s
bound to be a success.
Stephen S. Vanek,
LMSW-ACP, is a writer for Business Access and has a Master's
degree in Social Work.
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