Community Courses Available
We offer several types of courses:
- Computer Courses taught by community volunteers and Cafe staff to help you learn computer basics.
- Financial Literacy Courses taught by community volunteers, including local banks and credit unions, in partnership with Tri-CAP; financial literacy courses are free
- Career-Related Courses taught by staff from The Career Place
- Other: Courses on various topics by Cyber Cafe partners or other community organizations
Computer Courses at the Cyber Café
Computer courses are offered at the Cyber Café @ Malden Square for a nominal fee and are designed to teach students basic skills in using a computer, office applications, and the Internet.
Maximum class size is 8. You must register for the courses at the Cyber Café and pay the fee or deposit at the time of registration. Course fee is only $5.00 for most courses!!
Introduction to Computers (Basic Computer)
This four-session course is designed for individuals with little or no computer background. It will cover how to “get around” on a computer, key features of the desktop, launching programs, saving to a disk or hard drive, and using Help features. Students will explore the Internet by learning how to browse web sites and find information. Students will also learn how to set up an e-mail account; compose, send, and read e-mail messages.
Introduction to the Internet (Basic Internet)
This 4-session course is designed to teach beginners how to use the Internet effectively to find information and communicate. It will cover search engines and how to use them, how to limit your search for information, and how to follow links. Student will also learn to use more advanced features of e-mail, such as attaching documents or photos. The instructor will assign short exercises to give students practice on using the Internet to accomplish their goals.
Introduction to Photo Editing
Photo Editing sounds difficult, but with just the tools in Windows, you can edit photos to make holiday cards for family and friends. This 2-session course is designed for people who want to use the inexpensive tools built into Windows to manipulate digital photos. Using Microsoft Paint, Bill Martin will show you how to use Paint to edit photos, add text and/or background colors, and create your own touch to have some fun with your photos.
No costly software needed. Learn what you can do with digital photos on your own computer. Cost is only $10 for this 2-session course. Please do not bring your own photos to this session. Samples materials are provided.
Introduction to Word Processing: WordPad
This 4-session course is designed for people who have a limited amount of computer experience. It provides an overview or review of opening & closing programs, how to find programs (start menu or shortcuts), and save to disk. Students will learn the essentials of backspace versus delete, how to change fonts & font sizes, and learn to use Attributes (bold, italics, underline), and the Ruler to change margin & tab settings. Students will create & save a document, then learn how to open it to make edits and insert graphics (photo or clip art). Instructors may choose different kinds of simple projects so students leave the class with an understanding of how to use the program but also have a completed greeting card, letter with graphics, or similar final product.
Other: Digital StoryTelling - Completed
Offered by Malden Access Television, “Digital Storytelling” is open to all members of the Malden community. Participants are invited to tell a personal story using still images, music, and narration. The instructor, Meryl Perlman, will teach the skills necessary to put together a cohesive digital story, and encourage participants to be creative and resourceful with the elements of their story. There will be two sessions offered for this class—an afternoon & an evening session. Ms. Perlman is a media instructor and artist who has taught at the college level and in many other media center settings.
This special course was funded in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council.
Course Fee: $15. Registration forms available at the Cyber Cafe, but forms and payment must be brought to MATV (across the street from the Cyber Cafe).
Instructors Needed
The Cyber Café is looking for part-time instructors for several courses, including one-night special topics. Do you have computer skills you'd like to share? Join Ben, Jessica, Kim, Frank, and Jennifer as a Cyber Cafe Computer Instructor! Share your skills with folks who really want to learn. Leave a phone message at 866-833-2823 (toll free) or email Neil at Neil AT Malden Square .org.
2009 Courses
Digital StoryTelling: 2 Sessions
- Day Session: Tuesdays, Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 24 11 am – 1 pm
- Evening Session: Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24, April 7 & 14 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Course Evaluation Page for students
who have just completed a computer course...
Financial Literacy Courses
Using the FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum, we help you understand how money works! This 8-week course is designed to guide you in building a better life and improve your ability to save for your future. Topics include banking basics, borrowing money, how to manage and reconcile your checking account, predatory lending & identity theft, how to keep your financial information safe, how to read and understand a credit report, loans & loan terms, fixed and variable interest rates, money matters, pay yourself first, refund anticipation loans, mortgages & how they work, home ownership programs, and more.
Taught by staff from local banks and credit unions, as well as selected community volunteers, this course can help you gain control of your finances, learn about valuable resources to help you manage your money better, and become money smart!
Individual Development Accounts: Selected participants in our financial literacy program may be eligible to open an Individual Development Account (IDA); a special savings account for low-income individuals who want to save for their future. Grant funding permits us to match your savings 3:1; so you save a minimum of $1,333 in a 2-year period and we match it 3:1 so you have $5,000 in that account. You can save more, but the match is only on the first $1,333. You can put that money towards the purchase of a home, to start a new business, or to go to school.
Participation in the IDA program has very specific requirements, including completion of the Financial Literacy Course and participation in the 2-year CommonSense Savings Club program. In the Savings Club, you will meet monthly to exchange ideas, information, and progress and also have guest speakers on topics important to your savings goal.
For information, call 866-833-2823 and leave a message that you are interested in financial literacy.
Career-Related Courses
More information coming from The Career Place....
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