CDD Course Report Cri-Help 3-23-10

Instructor End of Course Report


Center Name: CRI-HELP

Beginning Date: February 16, 2010

Graduation Date: March 23, 2010

Names of the four Instructors: Smriti, Tyson, Robert, Kenny


The course spanned six weeks with classes twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. At the beginning of the course the instructors were given a handout outlining the lesson plan for each of the classes during the six weeks. In addition, after each class the instructors had to email an attendance sheet and a report for that class to the entire team. Since there was a different set of instructors for the Tuesday and Saturday classes the handout and reports were very helpful as they helped keep the entire team on the same page with regard to the progression of the course.

The course involved teaching students the absolute basics in computers, showing them how to access the Internet, and how to type in Microsoft Word. During the course, students had to complete a number of assignments. However, to pass the course they had to complete and present a 500-page paper (preferably typed in Microsoft Word) about their future plans once they have completed their rehabilitation program. Students in the class came from different backgrounds with different levels of experience with computers. While some had never touched a computer in their lives, others had some experience typing reports and memos. Trying to get the entire class on the same level while making sure that everyone found it interesting and gained something from the course was, in my opinion, the biggest challenge the instructors faced.

Another challenge that the instructors faced was getting the students to be obedient and respectful of the teachers and each other. On some days some of the students would be in a bad mood and on other days the same students would be very polite and obedient. Also, Cri-Help has students from Cri-Help and Socorro, and it was the tendency of the students to stick together based on their rehab center. This problem was overcome by dividing them into two groups with each group containing students from both centers. This forced them to work with each other and get to know students from the other rehab center. In addition, the instructors had to be strict with them and had to reinforce the idea that if class rules were not followed and they were not obedient, they shall not be allowed to graduate.