Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504200011
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But these days, you often need a fourth skill - computer literacy - to use the first three. So, many parents want to start their children on a computer at an early age.
``A child with computer skills will have an advantage,'' said Ken Thompson, who with his wife, Jane, owns the Fourth R, a computer training school.
The Fourth R is a national chain of schools set up to teach computer skills to children ages 3 to 14. There are other businesses of this type around the state, but Roanoke is home to Virginia's only Fourth R franchise.
The Thompsons bought the franchise last fall. They began by offering classes in local preschools, and worked out of their home. Ken's background is in engineering and Jane's is in therapeutic recreation. Lesson plans and curriculum are tested and provided by the national office.
In March, the Thompsons opened an office/classroom at Cave Spring Corners. By the middle of the month, they had 22 children signed up for classes. The Thompsons soon found that many of their students' parents were interested in learning about computers, too, so they offered adult classes as well. Fifteen students are enrolled in those.
There are six children's classes and four adult classes. Children's classes are $117 for 12 once-a-week sessions. Adults meet in four two-hour blocks for $125 per class. The price includes software manuals.
The Thompsons say their success is not due to a lack of other opportunities for people to learn about computers. These days, all of the schools offer computer instruction. But often, Ken Thompson said, the amount of time a child has to use a school computer is very limited, and adults with no experience can be intimidated by college courses and workshops.
The Fourth R's curriculum is ``aimed at the novice computer user,'' Ken Thompson said. ``Everyone from business owners to 3-year-olds.''
Adult classes are limited to six to eight students, and children's classes - in which each student is paired with a buddy - are limited to 12 children.
The response to the adult classes surprised him, Ken Thompson said, but Jane Thompson, who is a stay-at-home mom when she's not helping out with the business, noted that, in the five years she has been out of the work force, ``it has become totally computerized.'' Many people have had to learn about computers to get or even keep a job they've held for years, she said.
Also, she said, ``People who learn computers in an office setting often learn how to perform one function and nothing else.'' Some of those who enroll simply want to know more about computers.
Each of the six multimedia computers at the Fourth R has a 486 microprocessor, a soundboard, an SVGA monitor and a color printer. It's not state-of-the art, Ken Thompson said, but it's what most offices are equipped with.
Adult students work with the Microsoft Works software, which acquaints them with word processors, databases, charts and spreadsheets. Although they may not use those particular programs at work or at school, the skills they learn will transfer to other software.
The Thompsons also offer a ``boot camp'' to familiarize users with the ``nuts and bolts'' of computers and to introduce the basics. More advanced classes teach software such as Quicken and Microsoft Publisher, and cover topics such as on-line information "surfing.''
Each class is "geared to a different age group," Ken Thompson said. The children use simple math, spelling and word processing programs that are presented like games. Thompson even takes a computer apart, so they can see what's inside.
"They are getting used to using the computer as a tool rather than just as a plaything,'' said Jane Thompson. The smallest children work on eye-hand coordination by playing games that use a mouse. Because of the sophisticated soundboards, many of the programs talk back to the children, providing positive reinforcement.
The Fourth R also offers special workshops, SAT preparation, a summer camp, and a chance to ``test drive'' a computer before deciding to buy one. They also maintain a consulting service to advise clients about what to buy.
The Fourth R of the Roanoke Valley is at 4725 Garst Mill Road; the phone number is 989-3632.
by CNB