Oak Park offers adult computer classes
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

HIGH TECH- From left, Barbara Wechter, teacher of the upcoming adult computer classes at Medea Creek Middle School; Victor Anderson, a computer teacher; and Jim Benton, a teacher leader in technology, prepare for students in the new computer lab which is equipped with 33 20-inch iMacs and a SMART Board virtual whiteboard.

Why should kids have all the fun? A beginning computer class for adults is being offered in the new technology lab at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park.

Participants will have use of the recently installed computers and the new SmartBoard, an interactive whiteboard.

The sixweek program will begin Thurs., Oct. 4 and will be taught by Barbara Wechter, a former computer skills instructor for the Oak Park Unified School District. Each student will have a computer to use for the class, which will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

"I'm hoping people who haven't used the computer or (have) used it minimally will overcome their fears and realize how easy and fun it can be," Wechter said.

The class will focus on basic skills, Internet use and Microsoft Word, the popular computer writing and editing program.

"The computer is how the world is communicating these days," Wechter said. "If you don't know how I think you're kind of left out. It really makes life easier."

The new computers were purchased using money from Measure C6, the $17.5-million bond issue voters passed in June 2006, and are part of a range of technology upgrades being implemented throughout Oak Park schools.

"The Oak Park community has been extremely generous in passing Measure C6," said Oak Park School District Superintendent Tony Knight. "Additionally, we'd like it to have a deeper impact on the community at large by offering our new labs for computer and technology classes to the Oak Park community."

Wechter has worked for a software development company providing training and support to customers, and taught computer skills at Brookside Elementary and Medea Creek Middle School.

The class is offered through Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. Registration is $90. To sign up, go to the Oak Park Community Center, 1000 N. Kanan Road, call (818) 865-9304 or visit www.rsrpd.org.