Candy switches on to computers

Rotorua's Candy Jordan used to think computers were time-wasters, now she can't stay away from them.
The Rotorua mum used to hate computers, but since she and her daughters did a computer course, she thinks differently.
Through Kaitao Middle School, the Jordans took part in a programme run by Computers in Homes. They had 20 hours of computer training and were presented with a computer at the end of the course.
Computers in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation and the Bay of Plenty programme is funded by the Government. It aims to bring computer technology to families with school-age children.
Mrs Jordan graduated from the course - with 16 other parents of Kaitao Middle School students - this month..
Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters, Computers in Homes national coordinator Di Das and Kaitao principal Rory O'Rourke were there to present the certificates and computers.
The programme cost $50 per family and included a refurbished computer, LCD screen, keyboard, mouse and speakers and six-month broadband connection if wanted.
Mrs Jordan had been unfamiliar with computers: "I hated them, I thought they were a waste of time."
She decided to do the course because she knew nothing about them and her daughters were using them at school.
"The opportunity came up on the school newsletter and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to learn."
The main things she was happy to have learned were how to use email and Google: "I can now email my son in Aussie."
She said the course made her more confident around computers.
"Now they're going to have to push me off [the computer]."
Mrs Jordan took the course with daughters Taylor-Rose, 13, and Gabriall, 11, Kaitao Middle School students. Taylor-Rose said the course meant her mum could understand more about the kind of schoolwork she did at Kaitao.
The school recently started up an e-portal system which enables parents to go online and check on their children's progress at school.
Principal Mr O'Rourke said he hoped the Computers in Homes programme would allow more parents to use the system, because a recent survey has revealed only 65 per cent of Kaitao parents had computers in the home.
Computers in Homes regional co-ordinator Ivan Lomax said the course offered many benefits: "What we're seeing is all the families are up-skilling, they're learning and building stronger relationships between home and school."
Families from Mamaku School also took part in the programme.