I’m an experienced community class instructor with over seven years in IT. I own an interactive agency and work as a UI (user interface) designer for a large corporation. My background is in html, css, php, graphic design, photoshop, social media marketing, SEO, online advertising, online marketing strategy, event planning and branding.

If you have having trouble fixing your mac or pc I’m not your gal, take it to Best Buy or Apple where they will insure things if they break your computer. If you need your computer backed up or are afraid it will crash, I would recommend Patrick Rhone of Machine Methods, Dropbox or Crash Plan. If you want to learn how to use the tools on your computer, need to know why its important to backup your computer or want to learn the basics of web design, social media and business strategy I’m here to help.

One Day Group Class: $20/person (1-2 hours depending on subject)
One Day Private Class: $60 (1 hour)
Seven Day Private Class: $360 – thats $60 in savings or one class free! (no more then two classes per week held over a two month period with flexible scheduling)

Classes will be held based on availability and how quickly my time fills up. I will do my best to be accommodating and apologize for any wait time. If I become unavailable I will try to refer you to someone else.

Classes are generally $60/hour.

1 month 2 hour private classes = $960 (August 2011 Already Full)

I normally give one hour of class free as a discount for multiple classes. So for the whole month would be $900.

Materials for Class

(what’s provided and what is not)

I would provide all necessary books for studying at home. You would need to have your own home computer but would not need to bring it to class if you don’t have a laptop (although having one would be preferred). If you have a laptop, we can do all of the setup during the first lesson. For safety reasons I do not offer in-home lessons. I would recommend bringing a pen, notebook and if you have one an external hard drive for the first day of class.

A Few Things I need to know before the first lesson

Does your family work off of a mac or pc?
What day(s) of the week would you prefer to have class, if they are available?
What hour(s) are most convenient for scheduling?
What are the student’s primary goal(s) in taking private computer lessons? ie. I want to learn how to use Microsoft Office. I would like to learn the basics of online marketing strategy. I’m interested in starting my own company and want to understand the basics. I’m a student that needs to learn how to use the computer more efficiently and would like to have someone show me tools that will help make me more efficient and keep me safe from spam/hackers. I’m a parent and want to know how to keep my children safe from predators.
In one month a lot of information can be covered, but it’s best to focus on no more then two topics. Otherwise the student may get a general knowledge of a few things, but never really master one set skill. I would recommend only choosing one topic.

A Few Topics We Can Focus on

Web Design: By the end of the class you will have a fully functioning html/css or WordPress website. This class will give the student a general knowledge and understanding of user interface design. Practical application will include understanding FTP access for server files, writing basic code languages like html/css, using Photoshop to enhance photo properties, splicing images to be used on a website and the basics of search engine optimization. During this class we will review WC3 Web Standards for building websites and learn about ADA Guidelines. At the end of the course a student should have a basic knowledge of maintaining a website. Tools and software not provided/provided by the instructor: To take this class you would need to have your own computer, Dreamweaver or Coda, Adobe Photoshop or Gimp (Gimp is FREE), access to internet outside of this class (this could include a library but you will have a minimum of one hour of homework per every hour of class). At the end of class the student will have a website, blog, basic maintenance knowledge of files, and the ability to edit photos. We will use programs like Firefox, Adobe site tester, Firebug, Chrome, Monkey Script and more. The best part about these classes are the professional tools the student learns about. This course should be a primary focus course with no sub-topics to get the full timeline completed. You would need a longer course to dive deeper into Dreamweaver, Adobe CS5 Creative Suite (Photoshop/Illustrator), Coda, general programming knowledge. For more information on purchasing Adobe products: www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html (I am in no way an affiliate or working for Adobe it’s a very common professional grade software used by 90% of designers and programmers world-wide)
Office Suites and Presentations: By the end of the class you will have a better understanding of Microsoft Office, Open Office and Google Documents. We can focus on only one of these suites if you prefer, but learning one should give you a better understanding of all three as they are built with similar frameworks. If you own a Mac and not a PC we can also take some time to review Pages and Keynote. During this class you will receive a document with shortcuts and key stroke tips that will help you use your program of choice. We will review building a power point presentation and giving a speech. The student will also learn basics for giving presentations and will leave with recommendations for improvements. As an instructor I have experience on a national level with paid public speaking and have won state and national speech contests. This will not be a primary focus for any of my courses, but should benefit any student looking to advance themselves personally, professionally or moving into higher education. For students taking longer courses we may visit with a few of my former speech instructors and take time to go to a local Toast Masters meeting (both of these ‘field trips’ would be free of charge from your normal hourly class rate). During class you may learn how to build an excel sheet, customize the document, while learning how to prepare forms and surveys. We will also learn how to prepare flyers, banners, customize your resume and how design aesthetics effect form vs. function. We may cover more or less topics depending on the amount of time you choose to remain taking lessons. Tools: You will need to own Microsoft Office and have a laptop if you would like to review this program, but Open Office and Google Documents are both free programs.
Social Media Marketing and Strategy OR Personal Branding: Social media refers directly to the use of networks like Facebook and Twitter to market yourself, a cause or a business. Some people simply refer to social media as a broad based-term for social social networks, a form of communication or the tools themselves. During this course we can focus on building up your own personal brand or a business’ branding. To do this we will need to review your primary goals using a process called S.M.A.R.T goals. You will then learn the basics of building an online campaign strategy. We will then briefly review the process of determining your target audience, market, and competitors. This information will be our foundation for the campaign. The student will learn how to setup the social networks we choose based on the aforementioned campaign data, style their profiles, learn some basics towards advanced customization and design practices, and learn how to determine which networks have the best chances of reaching their preferred audience. We will study content integration and optimization, data management, reputation management, sentiment tracking and analytics. Helpful Tools: This course does not require you to purchase any additional software but helpful tools may include Photoshop or Gimp, Coda or Dreamweaver, an FTP file manager, a reputation management tool. You will not need to download any of these tools prior to class starting. We will need to review your goals first to determine what software will be necessary. Please come with a list of goals for this class prior to starting class.
Search Engine Optimization: During this course the student will learn how to optimize content for search engine ranking. The student will learn the primary differences between white hat and black hat marketing but will not learn how to implement black hat practices only how to avoid them. This course will focus on training an individual to maintain their own website, blog or brand using social networks and common online tools. We will focus on best practices, Google Web Standards and create a document check list for future campaigns. Each student should leave this course with a moderate to advanced understanding of how to maintain a website’s content and optimize it. You will also learn about coding standards, link building, broadly learn about public relations, social media and how to create an integrated campaign. Using the skills learned during this course a student would be able to focus on a keyword and either rank on the first page for it or understand why it would not be appropriate for their site. Skills taught during this course may include keyword research, competitor analysis, reputation management, blogging, keyword integration, why keyword stuffing is bad, and how to write for the web. Tools we will use will not cost money. This course will not include information about SEM, setting up an affiliate campaign, Google Adwords or click tracking (although we may briefly discuss monetizing a blog it will not be a primary focus). We will review the use of Google Analytics and similar tools, Google Webmaster Tools, WordPress, SEO Book, url shortners, social networks, and directories.
Computer Basics for New Users: A fun term lovingly used by programmers, designers, cool kids and nerds for someone new to something online is NOOB. If you are a neophyte to the internet, email or any program on your computer this may be the course for you. Prior to starting the course we will need to discuss what you would like to get out of the course and where your computer is giving you the most trouble. This course may give you a better understanding of how to backup, organize and maintain files, prevent theft, identity theft and spam or could just focus on learning tools that will speed up your daily computer using activities. An example of an efficiency course might include organizing your computer’s files, internet books marks, auto-mating file and information backups, and customizing your computer’s settings. Another version of this course might focus primarily on internet usage pertaining to daily activities like email usage, email customization, quick-tips and short cuts, safety tips, file management, or schedules including Google Calendar, your pda or smart phone, and syncing information or creating a portal for your family to share documents, files and schedules. A ten minute conversation should give me, your instructor, a better understand of your current computer knowledge, what books might be helpful to you, what programs we should focus on and where your goals and frustrations with using the computer lie. This course is fully customizable to your needs and can be taken as a family, study group, or for an office team. I will let you know if you request something that is beyond my limitations or understanding, but so far I’ve never been asked to teach a course on computer basics that was outside of that realm.

Please keep in mind I do not fix computers, but can refer you to the proper technicians. I am not responsible nor do I own the rights to any software or program that will be used on your computer. If you download files from the internet, fill up your hard drive or need software upgrades those are your responsibility and any issues with them should be taken up with the seller or manufacturer. Consider me more of a coach or guide for these tools.