The project, in early 1997, initially focussed on bringing the WWW to people via a laptop PC and offering basic internet training. The focus changed due to new government directions and the advent of its implementation of "community access sites" across the state (Skills.Net). A self-paced approach was now proposed. 

In designing Stage 1 of GreyNet a thorough "Needs Assessment and Analysis" was carried out to determine who the target audience were and just what was needed to meet the challenge. Following this the ïnstructional design "project began to design, develop and implement the initial GreyNet Self-paced Training Approach, a "self-paced" program requiring people to access the WWW at their
community access sites. 

This self-paced program was rolled out late 97 locally in Elwood and in a rural setting - Wangaratta, Victoria. This stage succeeded in its objectives and enabled an ever growing number of people (GreyNetters) to begin experiencing the WWW. However, people had real troubles going it alone: arming people with a manual and sending them off to the local access point (i.e library) - this was a real leap of faith. Fortunately in mid 1998 the Elwood Centre equipped itself with a bank of computers networked to the WWW. As a result of this stage 1 GreyNet self-paced training was redesigned to cater for on-site computers. It is called GreyNet Classroom Training Approach. This face-to-face hands-on approach has really improved the quality of delivery and ability for people to partipate and learn. 

Fortunately the project received further funding (Telematics Trust) in 1998 and is progressing the development of training and involvement of 50 yrs + people. Stage 2 of GreyNet is all about communications today and the various forms of it. It will introduce and demystify what is out there on the WWW email, chat etc. It will design, develop and implement further training such as Email, Chat, Conference/Discussion Forums. The focus of the training is still around community access points where you do not have to download and setup stuff - you just go there and participate: examples are Hotmail and Javachat. 

A key strategy of Stage 2 is geared towards enabling the GreyNetters to participate in interactive communities on the WWW (such ThirdAge, Seniornet etc) where other like minded people are already participating and who can support their journey into the wilds of the web. 

The Needs Assessment and Analysis Stage 2 is being conducted now and will be completed by the end of October 1998. 

There is also a 50+ computer support group being planned. This is a result of people participating in technology. There is a widening need for more info on what computers are, how to buy them, how to use them in life etc... Therefore, a curriculum is being devised to cater for this as well as a GreyNet web site with 50+ people to make it all work. 

The ultimate end goal is to progress the Greynetters  towards being able to take charge of the project, design and manage their own on-line destiny and to be actively articipating in their own On-line Community: "GreyNet On-line". 

Trevor Kealy
 

• is not enough awareness of what the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) is and can offer to older people
• are inappropriate resources (books, documents, training etc.) available to support the older generation in adopting the Internet
• are little or no skills in the tools, processes and procedures for accessing, using and building  the WWW and Internet
• are hurdles to overcome in developing and growing community awareness and involvement in the Internet

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• be made aware of what is on the Internet, its relevance to them and its useability so that they can make an informed choice on how to apply themselves to this emerging technology
• have the opportunity to access the Internet
• have ways of gaining the knowledge and skills to be able to ‘surf the net’ and make best use of it
• have access to a variety of training, that is relatively inexpensive, that supports their lifelong learning
• be able to develop a virtual community, making the best use of the Internet as a tool for themselves
• be enabled and facilitated to grow, to a level where the group can develop and manage their own virtual community web site

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Please contact Trevor Kealy at the:

Elwood St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre
87 Tennyson St Elwood 3184, Victoria, Australia

Tel:     61-3-95311954

Fax:    61-3-95311754

EMail: esnlc@yarranet.net.au

Web: http://esnlc.asn.au


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