SJRCC PRESS RELEASE December 2007 SJRCC part-time instructors deliver full-time results for the young at heart For Ponte Vedra elementary school teacher Karen Sinclair, computers are an essential tool in her fifth grade class; however, her experience as an adjunct college instructor has taught her that not everyone adjusts to technology as readily as her 10-year-old students. This spring Sinclair will begin her ninth year teaching Ponte Vedra residents to conquer their fear of computers and to integrate technology into their lives with leisure courses at St. Johns River Community College. While the majority of Sinclair's students are considered non-traditional (over the age of 23), many have only a minimal exposure to technology. Sinclair said one of the biggest obstacles students must overcome is their fear of the unknown. "Most beginners think they can lose information or do something wrong," she said. "I love seeing their eyes light up knowing they can touch the keyboard and it won't explode." Internet safety is another issue. "Many people are afraid of winding up on the wrong Web site," Sinclair said, but she assured that the introductory courses cover Internet safety and etiquette. "I cover getting on the Internet and how to choose a browser. I also teach students how to set up free e-mail accounts on Yahoo," she said. Sinclair said while she gets a variety of students in her classes - retirees, married couples and parents of her students at PVPV/Rawlings Elementary - most everyone's goal is to communicate through the Internet, send pictures, attachments and basically keep in touch with family and friends. Although Sinclair's initial reason for teaching part time was mostly economic, she said she has since developed a passion for helping her students. "There's a lot of satisfaction in knowing I've helped my students incorporate such a valuable addition into their daily routines and have improved their quality of communicating," she said. Another instructor beginning his ninth year at SJRCC's Ponte Vedra Center brings a lifetime of Latin experiences to enhance his teaching methods. Instructor James Swanson, Ph.D., shares his knowledge of various cultures and the importance of family and religion as part of his Survival Spanish class. Swanson, who once lived in Colombia and has traveled to Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and Spain, said the course begins with learning the vowels and then concentrates on language required for everyday use. "The biggest misconception about learning to speak Spanish is that people think it's more difficult than it is," Swanson said. "If you can learn the vowels, you can learn Spanish." While most of the Survival Spanish students are avid travelers between the ages of 35 and 50, Swanson described the classroom atmosphere as laid-back. "It's like family," he said. "Sometimes the students come back and share their experiences with the class, and many students return to take the follow-up class, Spanish for Travelers." There are no requirements for non-credit courses, and registration is in progress until classes begin. Most classes begin in January and meet one evening per week for approximately 5-12 weeks. On-site courses for the spring term are: Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Word, Microsoft Office, Survival Spanish, Introduction to Excel, Intermediate Excel and Introduction to PowerPoint. Non-credit online courses are also available and run approximately six weeks. Students may choose from more than 200 subjects. The Ponte Vedra Center is located on Palm Valley Road near the junction of St. Johns County Road 210 and A1A. For more information, call (904) 280-1322 or visit our Web site at www.sjrcc.edu. For more information, call 386-312-4300. Karen Sinclair will soon begin her ninth year teaching Ponte Vedra residents to conquer their fear of computers and to integrate technology into their lives with leisure courses at St. Johns River Community College. Return to SJRCC home page.