Washington calling the world

I began Get Digital learning sessions at Woodridge Gardens in Washington in early January. I've a wide range of learners - some complete beginners and others who are looking to learn more about e-mail, digital photography and shopping online.

As usual I'm finding that learners' families are very enthusiastic about the opportunities and are supporting the leaner, perhaps by buying them a memory stick or a digital camera. One learner M. even has her daughter attend the session with her. After I've shown her what to do, her daughter helps her practice her new skills.

At a recent session I explained to mother and daughter what Skype was. I pointed out the tiny camera on the PC and described how when we made a call we'd be able to see the people we were talking to. This week they arrived promptly for their lesson clutching a piece of paper with Skype addresses scribbled on. Could they make a call? Relatives in Scotland and Eire were waiting to speak to them.

We quickly found the people we wanted in the Skype address book and made our first call north of the border. Our call was answered and we could see and hear M's other daughter. But she couldn't hear us! A slight technical problem - we'll call again once she's got her speakers working.

Our second call was much more successful. M's granddaughter in Eire was waiting to speak to us. And with her, she had her two year old - a great-grandson that M. had never seen before. After waving to his great-gran he was off to race around the room!

M. enjoyed her Skype calls and I left her arranging a regular time to call her family each week.