UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 3, Page 7                                
September 17, 1992                                             
Self-paced learning materials available at Newark Hall center  
                                                               
     If learning computers feels like a never-ending struggle-and you
don't have time for formal instructional classes-self-paced training 
audiotapes, videotapes and printed tutorials for IBM and Macintosh   
computer programs are available through the Newark Hall training site.        
     According to Janet de Vry, user education coordinator for       
Computer and Networking Services, the materials circulated for home  
use serve a variety of purposes.                                     
     The benefit of an audiotape or videotape is simple, she says:   
"If you don't get it, you replay it." Videotapes, which can also be  
viewed in the computer-equipped training site's audiovisual room, are
organized in a task-oriented order as opposed to the "alphabet soup of        
everything" order of most manuals.                                   
     Printed tutorials, booklets that follow computer class agendas, 
can be purchased at the University Bookstore and are helpful for     
maintaining computer skills after a student has finished a course, she        
says.                                                                
     "Learning computer training is like a child playing piano," de     
Vry says. "Repetition is the key to success."                        
     Since the self-paced training was initiated seven years ago, she
says she has seen the biggest demand at the introductory level for   
WordPerfect, Lotus and Microsoft Word and other campus favorites.    
While some students choose self-paced instead of classroom instruction        
because of busy schedules, others are attracted by more specialized  
programs that are not offered in classes.                            
     "Everyone has different learning styles and learning rates," de 
Vry says. "Self-paced learning can be a very important tool in       
learning essential skills."                                          
     For information and reservations, call the Newark Hall training 
site at 831-1413.                                                    
                                        -Casye Launer