There is a list of subjects below but remember these could be taught in a group setting or to individuals depending on the circumstances of the learners.
Create your own website with WordPress
WordPress is the powerhouse behind a quarter of the world\’s websites. One reason for this is that is remarkably easy to use. I have created a number of WordPress based web sites, including this one. My first websites were created with an HTML editor called Compozer but WordPress is so much easier.
My qualifications cover HTML sites but my experience is with WordPress sites. However, knowing HTML does help me interpret the code on the pages and posts that others just ignore.
Given my background I could easily target such a learning experience towards small businesses, administrators or churches. I had thought of offering such courses on a self-employed basis. The fact that I am a wholesaler for an excellent hosting service would help that become a reality. course.
Start your own business (aka Money Making Parlour)
I have both the experience and the qualifications to offer a course like this. I started gathering these ideas into a programme that I called Money Making Parlour. The idea being to make money using the best room in the house (i.e. the parlour) and to do it in an honest legal and decent way.
I have also been looking for a way to introduce a course based on the Reconxile course. These materials were developed by UK business people as part of their overseas mission outreach and would provide an excellent basis for a business start up course. They are written for those whose second language is English so would be suitable for use with those who are less academically able.
Information technology
I have taught various IT courses (see courses taught page). One of my special interests is helping those who are disadvantaged in some way. This includes looking at ways of making it possible for people with a variety of impairments to use a computer. One of the ways this can be done is to have basic IT courses where everything is done without ever touching a mouse. I even came up with the name for such a course i.e. Look no Mouse.
Crafts
My very first teaching experience was going to a primary school and helping the girls learn to knit. I have also been involved in a number of craft groups for adults, one of which was intended to provide support for those with mental health challenges. In addition to knitting I can also crochet. I have crocheted plastic bags and wire as well as more normal wool and cotton.
When a friend from church said that she wanted to develop a program to support people with learning difficulties I agreed to help her. We both have a dream of setting up enterprising projects to support those in need. We realised that there was an overlap between our dreams and started talking to the church leadership. The end result is that the church is supporting us as develop Heavenly Crafts. (However, that is not its real name as the church has not given me permission to sue the real name online.)
Heavenly Crafts has not developed into what we thought that it would. We have ended up attracting a whole different group of craftees than we expected to do. However, it is proving to meet a need in the community that we had not realised existed. It is a challenge at times finding things that people with so little physical and cognitive ability can do but it a highly rewarding one.
Domestic skills
Part of my journey has been to learn how to live economically. Sadly the reasoning behind this was somewhat skewed. I have struggled with what I call financial anorexia. Like the more serious life-threatening form of anorexia this is a result of disordered thinking that gets things totally out of perspective. However, despite doing this for the wrong reasons the knowledge and experience gained could be channelled to help others.
Another of my personal concerns that could be used to help others is being prepared for household emergencies. In fact I have a website devoted entirely to this. You can find it here
Ethics and philosophy
I have taught A level Religious Studies, concentrating on the ethics and philosophy papers. Some of the topics covered as part of this course could be adapted to create short courses for interested adults.
Basic skills
I have worked in a voluntary capacity as a basic skills tutor while taking the level 3 qualifications in both literacy and numeracy. These qualify me to work as an assistant basic skills tutor. My special interest is financial literacy, in other words helping people make the best financial choices. This can involve the practicalities of running a bank account or borrowing money. It applies the reading and arithmetic skills to situations where learners can make choices that can considerably improve their lives.
Mix and match
As if that list was not long enough it would also be possible to pull some of these different ideas together to do some quite unusual.
- What about a course that mixes computer skills and crafts? That way people can practise IT skills while looking for patterns and instructions online.
- What about mixing domestic skills and IT? That way people can learn how to use a spreadsheet to help them plan their spending.
- What about mixing creating a basic website and business startup? That way people can start developing an online business.
If after reading this you think that I could help you, or a group that you are part of then get in touch using the form below.
[contact-form-7 id=\”595\” title=\”Contact form 1\”]