- What is the Learning Center?
- What are the
Learning Center's Hours?
- Who
qualifies to use the Computer Lab and Library?
- Are
dependents eligible to use the Learning Center?
- What classes do you offer?
- Do you
have a mailing list for computer classes?
- Do you have a
mailing list for the Library's Personal Development classes?
- What
software programs do you have installed on the computers in your computer
lab?
- Do you have any
self-paced tutorials?
- Is the Computer
Lab connected to the Internet?
- Can I
access my Email from the Computer Lab?
- I
have an old family photo that I would like to print on a greeting
card. Can you help me?
- Why do you have prerequisites for
classes?
- I just finished a class, but I think I need to
take it over again. Can I do that?
- I've never used a computer at all. Where do I
start?
- I don't have a computer at home. Can I use
the computers in the Learning Center?
- I took a class, but now I'm having problems applying
the information at home. Can I call you?
The UAW-GM Learning Center (formerly the Skill Center) was created in the
'80s when a joint agreement between UAW and GM management launched a project to
"increase emphasis on basic education, ensuring that employees and spouses
had access to education and training opportunities for the basic skills areas such
as math, reading, problem solving, and language... to master new skills and
achieve personal goals in basic education." Easy accessibility
for you, the user, and a positive learning environment were the cornerstones of
the Skill Center concept. Today's Learning Center continues to emphasize basic academic skills, and we've added a
Computer Lab
offering computer classes designed to help everyone from the rank beginner (PC
Basics and Windows XP, etc.) to the
advanced user (Digital Cameras,
Image
Editing, Scanning, and much more).
Another area of the Learning Center that you'll want to use is the
Library.
Loaded with videos and DVD's, business and history books, audiotapes, and
self-help material, the library offers free borrowing privileges and great
stacks for browsing. The Library also offers Personal Development classes
to UAW employees and retirees. These classes use TAP
funds for payment and include many fun and rewarding courses taught by industry
experts. Courses offered in the past have included: Build Your Own
Computer; Home Fix-Up; Motorcycle Repair; Learn to Deal (leading to a
certification that qualifies you to work as a casino dealer); GPS Navigation;
Appliance Repair; Bass Fishing; Fly Tying; and Snorkel/SCUBA Diving, just to name
a few.
The Learning Center Computer Lab is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00
a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday. the Library
is open from 6:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6:00
a.m. until 3:00p.m. on Friday. See our
map for
location information!
If you are a UAW or GM employee, retiree, or spouse, you may use the Learning
Center Computer Lab and enroll in any of the free
courses, and you may borrow materials from the Library. Personal
Development courses through the Library are limited to UAW employees and
retirees because of the need to access your TAP funds
for payment. (Because TAP funds are unique in their relationship to UAW
employees and their union dues, these classes are not available to salaried
employees.) Unfortunately, this also means spouses are not eligible for
these classes. So, while your UAW employee/retiree is learning to build a
computer, you (the spouse) can be sitting in the Computer Lab learning how to
actually run the darn thing!
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The UAW-GM Local 652 Learning Center is committed to being a learning
resource for its employees, their spouses, and retirees. If space is available
in the "free" computer classes, employees' dependent children (on a
case-by-case basis) may be allowed to attend classes, providing they do not
displace or prevent the aforementioned from attending class. Children must
be accompanied by a parent or guardian while taking the class.
The Lansing Learning Center offers two class options -- those that are free
through the Computer Lab and those for which TAP funds
are used. The free Computer Lab
classes are designed
to support computer users at ALL levels. Beginners will find keyboarding and
basic PC knowledge courses -- yes, we've even included how to turn it on and
turn it off. If you're a mid-level user, you can build skills with the
Microsoft Office Suite using Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, and Access,
or you can enroll in a class to learn to use scanning equipment and
software. If you fall into the advanced user category, you'll enjoy such
challenges as image editing or Internet skills with a digital camera or Web page
design classes. If you have the software, we probably teach it (or
something very similar)! You'll find our current computer class schedule
posted on this Web site for your convenience.
The Learning Center Library's Personal Development classes are available to
UAW employees and retirees. Because these courses are taught by outside
experts, your TAP funds will be used to pay the fees.
Courses offered in the past have included: Build You Own Computer; Home Fix-Up;
Motorcycle Repair; Learn to Deal (leading to a certification that qualifies you
to work as a casino dealer); GPS Navigation; Appliance Repair; Bass Fishing; Fly
Tying; and Snorkel/SCUBA Diving, just to name a few.
Yes. Give us a call at 377-7224 to have your name added to the mailing list.
Remember, this is useful, fun stuff, not junk mail!
Absolutely! Give us a call at 377-7124.
Computers in the Learning
Center are currently running Windows 98 (in the walk-in lab) and Windows XP
in the classroom. If you have Windows 95, 98 or ME, you will
still benefit from taking the Windows XP class because
the basic interface for all three is very similar. This type of operating
system is designed for the "home user" rather than the business user
and is likely the type of operating system installed on your home computer.
Our software selections include Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft
Works, PhotoDraw, Publisher
2000, numerous image-editing programs, typing tutors, scanning, and various
Internet and utility programs. There's bound to be something you've been
looking for.
Specialized academic software is also available on select computers for
learning basic academic skills such as math, reading, writing, and
science. Additional information on the specific software programs can be
found on the Academic Software page of this web
site. These programs are self-paced and allow you to study at a time that
is convenient for you. Participation in these programs requires enrollment
by an instructor, who is then available to guide you as you progress through the
tutorials. Remember, your success is very important to us!
Yes! We have
computer-aided learning resources for both computer applications and academic
subjects. Software programs currently available include typing tutors such
as Mavis Beacon as well as comprehensive academic software for brushing up on
your math, reading, writing, and science skills.
Yes. All Lab computers provide access to the Internet using a
high-speed connection called a T1 line. A T1 line is a dedicated phone
connection supporting data transfer rates of about 192,000 bytes per second --
roughly 60 times more data than a normal residential modem. A normal modem
can transmit data at perhaps 30 kilobits per second (30,000 bits per
second). Come on in and try out the Web from our Walk-In
Lab or enroll in a class designed to help you "surf the net."
Probably yes, depending on your Email provider. Many Email accounts
these days are accessible from almost any computer connected to the
Internet. The easiest accounts to access are those that are
"free," Internet-based accounts such as Hotmail,
Excite Mail, and Yahoo
Mail. You simply connect to the Internet, go to the host site of your
Email account and retrieve your mail. Not to be excluded, fee-based Email
accounts are becoming more accessible from any computer as well. For
example, if you subscribe to AOL, you can log
on to AOL.com from any computer connected to the Internet and choose to access your Email account
from
their Web site. It is not necessary that the AOL software be loaded on
that particular computer.
We can help in a couple of ways. First, you could join us for a Scanning
class and follow that with an Image-editing
class. Second, if you have some understanding of the process but just need
a bit of help with your confidence, give us a call. We'll find some time
to help you out! We have two scanners that are capable of capturing
photographs. Once you have the image, you would use our image-editing program
to enhance the picture. Then you would use a publishing program to create
the card. Remember to bring your own 3.5" floppy or recordable CD to
save the images and your own card stock for printing. We ask that you
limit your printing to a single card. If you need multiple copies, we
suggest you use a service such as Kinko's. (Because of the high cost
of color laser printing cartridges, we can't be your printing service for your
Christmas card list or wedding invitations!)
We want to make sure that you get the best class for your needs. You
don't want to sit through a class that's too easy, and at the same time, you
don't want to drown in a class that's over your head. Prerequisites help
you make sure the class you choose is the one you want.
Absolutely! And you shouldn't feel bad about it, either. The Learning
Center isn't a structured learning environment like a college. We're here
to help you get what you need, and if that means repeating a class -- even
several times, if you want to -- then feel free to re-enroll. We'll be
happy to have you back, and if you're interested in specific areas of the class,
let us know. We'll help you get the most out of those topics.
Start with our PC Basics class. It's
designed for the true beginner and really does address the basics -- turning the
system on and off; using a mouse; moving around the desktop. From there,
you'll want to take Windows XP, a more
in-depth look at the environment of your computer and how to make it work for
you. Don't worry -- we'll guide you through each step of the way.
Pretty soon, your kids will be asking you for help.
You sure can. Our walk-in lab is open from
7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Its state-of-the-art computers are loaded with
software to help you with projects- or just come in for some practice.
Just want to surf the net? Go ahead. While we try to limit Internet use
to one hour per person so everyone has lab access, you are welcome to go
online. Our instructors are available if you need help or run into any
problems.
Of course! We'll be happy
to talk you through a problem. With four instructors, we can probably figure out what you
need to know. And if we can't figure it out on the phone, come on in and
we'll sit down at the computer together.
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