elcome
to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League's Computer Education web
page. This program is designed to acquaint PAL youth with computer
technology and to provide them with basic computer literacy skills
in a variety of software applications.
To learn more about the program and how to participate, please
explore this site further or contact the PAL Computer Education
Coordinator by calling 215.291-9000 Ext. 123.
The PAL computer program is funded through the Comcast Foundation
as part of the Comcast Community Connections Computer Education
Program. Over the past three years, the Comcast Foundation has generously
donated over $150,000. With the help of Comcast, PAL has been able
to bring computer technology to over 100 PAL youngsters. PAL has
a mission to help children excel in our technology–based world by
providing them with free access to computers and technology education
classes. PAL and Comcast intend for children to gain basic to advanced
knowledge of computer usage, understand career options in technology,
as well as recognize technology’s tremendous role in their everyday
lives. This supplemental education program aims to improve the students’
academic performances, enhance their communication abilities, build
their self-esteem and prepare them for bright and successful futures.
During Phase I of the curriculum, students are introduced to the
Basic Operations and Concepts of computers, where they learn in
detail about computer hardware and usage. In addition, children
are introduced to a broad range of issues relating to Responsibility,
Safety, and Technology Today. During Phase II and III, the students
progressively learn how to use Computer Software Tools and how to
apply this knowledge to their everyday lives in order to complete
schoolwork and to use for recreational learning purposes. The lesson
plans in Phase II and III steadily incorporate more math and reading
as well as more advanced usage of Microsoft Office software to help
students develop computer skills, including: word processing, typing,
spreadsheet creation, PowerPoint, safe Internet usage and database
research tools. These practical lessons enforce how essential Technology
and Communication are to succeeding in school and work environments.
Each computer class is taught by a college student with a strong
interest in teaching or helping today’s youth. The PAL instructors
use technology curriculum created by PAL. Students will receive
instruction in using Microsoft Office™ that will include lessons
in word processing, spreadsheet design and PowerPoint presentations.
Other software applications will also be taught including an image
drawing program. In addition to learning Microsoft Office™ and other
software, students will be taught how to safely use the Internet.
They will learn how to setup a web-based email account and how to
search for and use web-based materials.
To add an entertaining component to their instruction, students
will also be directed to various kid-safe games and activities on
the Internet.
Near the end of the course, students will combine the skills they
have learned and will be taught how to create a PAL Newsletter for
their center. Students will design this newspaper using Microsoft
Publisher and will also write all the articles for the newsletter.
Recently, Students from the Comcast Community Connections Computer
Education Program went on a trip to The Philadelphia Inquirer and
the Daily News to see how a real newspaper is done before they started
their own newspapers for PAL. A visit to the Daily News prompted this
snippet in the May 28, 2004 edition of the Philadelphia Daily News.
"Props to the citywide PAL for its efforts on behalf
of kids this year. PAL leaders brought in a few kids to the newsroom,
and watch out, dear readers, because the next wave of emcees may
just be upon us. Shouts to Aquila, Bernell, Nyeema, Ashley, Shantelle,
Rhoda, Hydia, Desire, Kiera, Velora, Nafeesa, Taliya, Boyd, Kevin,
Siani, Tequirra and Fatima for coming through and blessing yours
truly with your skills. Boyd owes me a demo tape though, and Ashley's
tabletop beat is fire! More next time."
By DAMON C. WILLIAMS
Philadelphia Daily News
Fri, May. 28, 2004
Locations and Schedule
PAL Computer Learning Club classes are held 2 evenings per week over
the course of 12-weeks. During that time students receive instruction
in a wide variety of computer programs and resources. Three PAL Centers
have been selected and equipped as computer training sites for this
program. Their locations and schedules are listed below.
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Police
Memorial PAL Center
4253 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215.289-8998 |
Monday &
Wednesday & Thursday
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Computer Teacher: Lia Key |
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West
Oak Lane PAL Center
7105 Limekiln Pike
Philadelphia, PA 19138
215.924-6193 |
Tuesday &
Thursday
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Computer Teacher: Stephanie Elpenord |
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Logan
PAL Center
1100 W. Rockland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19141
215.457-5878 |
Tuesday &
Thursday
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Computer Teacher: Ronald Toles |
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| Information
listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication.
However, some of the material presented here may have expired
since it was posted. Persons should contact a PAL representative
whenever relying on dated material or information that is subject
to change. |
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