Offline Learning @ Real Work Real Pay

Offline Learning
Ah, learning the old-fashioned way-in the classroom. If you believe the old adage: "Misery loves company," than you may want to share yours' with others in a classroom. Let's begin by utilizing that 19th century invention, the telephone. Open your Yellow Pages to the Computers-Training section and you'll find several pages of computer training centers. So how do you decide which one to choose? Before deciding, call and talk to the site manager or instructor. Here are some questions you should ask:

How many students will be in each class?
Will you have access to your own computer?
How long is each session?
How many lessons are included?
How much will the course cost?

EduSource is one reputable training center that offers training for computer users of all skill levels at their Plymouth and Minneapolis locations. An EduSource class will teach you Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator techniques. Classes cost about $249 for six hours of on-site training. However, EduSource also offers at-home training. With this option, an instructor will come to your home and teach you how to use the Internet. At-home classes cost about $240 for four hours. EduSource can be reached at 338-4560 or visit their web site at http://www.edusourcepc.com/.

Many of the computer superstores also offer Internet training. At CompUSA, classes are available at their Bloomington and Roseville offices. Their classes teach Internet fundamentals. Class sizes are limited to about 12 people and each class runs from 9 am- 4pm. Most classes cost $199 and are offered twice a month. There's also a private option for $100 an hour (3 hour minimum). In the private training sessions, a trainer will tailor a lesson plan to get you going quickly on your equipment. You can contact CompUSA's Bloomington location at 820-8850 or visit their web site at http://www.compUSA.com/ for more information.

Best Buy and Computer City offer classes of their own. Like CompUSA, these superstores have multiple facilities and offer flexible schedules. Their trainers will even come to your home or office. You can contact Best Buy's Richfield location at 861-3917 or visit their web site at http://www.bestbuy.com/. You can contact Computer City's Edina location at 896-6400 or visit their web site at http://www.computercity.com/.

For that back-to-school feeling, try your local school district. Many Twin Cities area school districts offer Community Education programs that can teach you about the Internet. For example, the St. Paul School District's Community Education program (293-5215) offers a three-week Internet introduction class. Classes are scheduled one-day per week during the three week course, and each class period is two hours long. We spoke to an instructor at the Arlington site who told us each student gets to use their own computer and that class sizes can go as high as 40. However, the instructor tends to limit class sizes to 25 or so. Classes are $30 each; the Internet Introduction class is offered in late June and then again in September. Contact your local school district for programs in your area.

How does free sound? Each of the Twin Cites seven county public library systems offer residents free Internet classes. The Minneapolis Public Library system (which is part of the Hennepin county library system and can be reached at 630-6000, ask for Internet tutorials) offers classes at several of its locations including the large downtown facility. The Minneapolis Public Library system offers courses at various dates throughout the year (Because of the scattered locations, it may take awhile before one occurs near you.). Class size is normally limited to 2 or 3 students, because most of the time there's only one computer for students to learn on. There is no charge for the classes, but advance registration is required. The St. Paul Public Library system offers similar programs; call their Central Office at 266-7000 for more information. Contact your local library for programs at their facility.

For a complete library listing, check out the Minnesota's Libraries Page at http://www.state.mn.us/libraries/public.html. At this site you can find a library close to your home and links to each library's home page. From there, you can find out when Internet courses are offered.

For those of you that are looking for a degree or a long-term class, try the University of Minnesota's continuing education classes at 624-2517 or check out their Web site at http://www.cee.umn.edu/. The area's technical colleges, state community colleges, and private schools also offer great training opportunities. For a complete listing of Minnesota colleges visit the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities web site at http://www.mnscu.edu.

Internet Education - Introduction (Part 1)
Internet Education - Offline Education (Part 2)
Internet Education - Online Education (Part 3)

Real Work Real Pay Home



	Offline Learning @ Real Work Real Pay Offline Learning Ah, learning the old-fashioned way-in the classroom. If you believe the old adage: "Misery loves company," than you may want to share yours' with others in a classroom. Let's begin by utilizing that 19th century invention, the telephone. Open your Yellow Pages to the Computers-Training section and you'll find several pages of computer training centers. So how do you decide which one to choose? Before deciding, call and talk to the site manager or instructor. Here are some questions you should ask: How many students will be in each class? Will you have access to your own computer? How long is each session? How many lessons are included? How much will the course cost? EduSource is one reputable training center that offers training for computer users of all skill levels at their Plymouth and Minneapolis locations. An EduSource class will teach you Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator techniques. Classes cost about $249 for six hours of on-site training. However, EduSource also offers at-home training. With this option, an instructor will come to your home and teach you how to use the Internet. At-home classes cost about $240 for four hours. EduSource can be reached at 338-4560 or visit their web site at http://www.edusourcepc.com/. Many of the computer superstores also offer Internet training. At CompUSA, classes are available at their Bloomington and Roseville offices. Their classes teach Internet fundamentals. Class sizes are limited to about 12 people and each class runs from 9 am- 4pm. Most classes cost $199 and are offered twice a month. There's also a private option for $100 an hour (3 hour minimum). In the private training sessions, a trainer will tailor a lesson plan to get you going quickly on your equipment. You can contact CompUSA's Bloomington location at 820-8850 or visit their web site at http://www.compUSA.com/ for more information. Best Buy and Computer City offer classes of their own. Like CompUSA, these superstores have multiple facilities and offer flexible schedules. Their trainers will even come to your home or office. You can contact Best Buy's Richfield location at 861-3917 or visit their web site at http://www.bestbuy.com/. You can contact Computer City's Edina location at 896-6400 or visit their web site at http://www.computercity.com/. For that back-to-school feeling, try your local school district. Many Twin Cities area school districts offer Community Education programs that can teach you about the Internet. For example, the St. Paul School District's Community Education program (293-5215) offers a three-week Internet introduction class. Classes are scheduled one-day per week during the three week course, and each class period is two hours long. We spoke to an instructor at the Arlington site who told us each student gets to use their own computer and that class sizes can go as high as 40. However, the instructor tends to limit class sizes to 25 or so. Classes are $30 each; the Internet Introduction class is offered in late June and then again in September. Contact your local school district for programs in your area. How does free sound? Each of the Twin Cites seven county public library systems offer residents free Internet classes. The Minneapolis Public Library system (which is part of the Hennepin county library system and can be reached at 630-6000, ask for Internet tutorials) offers classes at several of its locations including the large downtown facility. The Minneapolis Public Library system offers courses at various dates throughout the year (Because of the scattered locations, it may take awhile before one occurs near you.). Class size is normally limited to 2 or 3 students, because most of the time there's only one computer for students to learn on. There is no charge for the classes, but advance registration is required. The St. Paul Public Library system offers similar programs; call their Central Office at 266-7000 for more information. Contact your local library for programs at their facility. For a complete library listing, check out the Minnesota's Libraries Page at http://www.state.mn.us/libraries/public.html. At this site you can find a library close to your home and links to each library's home page. From there, you can find out when Internet courses are offered. For those of you that are looking for a degree or a long-term class, try the University of Minnesota's continuing education classes at 624-2517 or check out their Web site at http://www.cee.umn.edu/. The area's technical colleges, state community colleges, and private schools also offer great training opportunities. For a complete listing of Minnesota colleges visit the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities web site at http://www.mnscu.edu. Internet Education - Introduction (Part 1) Internet Education - Offline Education (Part 2) Internet Education - Online Education (Part 3) Real Work Real Pay Home