Comments made about First StepsXP and Quick Start

 

220 Soft Ltd creates product designed to lead novice computer users to an understanding of their computers with Windows '95, '98, 2000, Millennium operating systems. They are particularly designed as pre-cursors to any course including ECDL, CLAIT and even non-IT subjects where a basic knowledge of computers is essential to navigate the course.

Above is a section of a Memo sent by Head Office to LSC E2E contacts. To view the full memo, click here.

Jonathan Price-Marlow – Programme Co-ordinator, Work Based Learning, LSC Head Office

 

Staff at Bradford Libraries Archives and Information Service are keen to increase access to learning and information for many of their customers. One of the obvious barriers to this is the low-level of computer skills held by library customers.

With First StepsXP this changes. Staff have found this to be an excellent first step towards effective computer use. It gently takes the user into the world of the mouse and the menu using straightforward language and clear examples.

The emphasis is on building user confidence and subtly reinforcing learning points. First StepsXP is an excellent product to use in the public library environment and we look forward to rolling it out across all our libraries.

Ronan O'Beirne – Principal Libraries Officer, Bradford District Libraries

 

The 220Soft software is seen as a means of providing customers with a more formal, structured approach to learning while still retaining the benefits of individual learning at own pace in a library environment.

The Learning Assistant on site and customers who have used it all felt that it was pitched at exactly the right level for a complete beginner, with no prior knowledge of computers.

The Northumberland County Library Peoples Network project is aiming to provide IT upskilling across the county, in particular focusing on adult computer beginners. We aim to provide a first point of contact with one-to-one informal introductory tuition, structured by the 220Soft material, encourage progression to more formal e-learning through Learn Direct and/or classroom courses available in the area, and to highlight ways in which the IT skills gained can be used in everyday life events.

Chris Heane – ICT Services Manager, Northumberland County Libraries

 

Our aim at Age Concern Leeds is to make the learning experience accessible to everyone by putting across the message in a clear and jargon-free style – and most of all to show people that computers can be fun.

With the addition of 220 Soft’s First Steps software we have been able to offer even more older people the chance to learn how to use a computer. The software is excellent.

It is easy to use and builds confidence for the user. It has simple-to-understand instructions and good incremental learning exercises to guide the learner
through the basic and intermediate skills needed to get the most from a computer and the Internet.

Andrew Pickard – Senior Tutor, Age Concern Leeds

 

First StepsXP starts as a very basic intro to getting going on computers and introduces the language and basic IT skills that will take a complete (and scared) beginner from turning the machine on, closing it down to finding out how to use a mouse, menus etc, organising the desktop, accessing the internet and upgrading the computer.

In the autumn there will be a dual language version, so that English screen text is backed with Urdu(or another language) or vice versa - this will be a very motivating way of combining the development of ICT and language skills, either in ESOL or MFL contexts.

Judith Stansfield – SEN ICT Consultant NASEN ICT Group

Users are taken very carefully through stages of learning with language that while “plain” was not patronising. It is pitched at exactly the right level for a complete beginner, with no prior knowledge of computers.

First StepsXP is an effective first step in learning progression – from start through to Learn-Direct courses, ECDL and even, perhaps, other more formal training opportunities.

The 220 Soft product also adheres to many of the Targets set by projects we are currently working on:

  •   Providing access for new learners
  •   Innovation
  •   Basic skills awareness

In terms of comparison to other products there really isn’t one. I have been investigating possibilities for some time and this is the only solution I have seen with the language choice as available by 220 Soft.

Jane Chappell – NOF ICT Training Manager, Gloucestershire County Libraries
NOF: New Opportunities Fund

We have been using Quick Start and First StepsXP from 220Soft for more than six months and in that time it has become an indispensable tool. In fact we use it as the basic introduction to ICT skills for all our entry level 1 clients.

Almost without exception, clients find the software easy to use and with the minimum amount of intervention, find themselves quickly on the road to gaining the ICT skills that they are looking for, and many move on quite quickly to Level 1 and 2 learning. Highly recommended.

Jim Pike – Project Manager Gorton Online
There are a number of software packages on the market for new and current computer users. The reviewers' initial reaction was whether there was really a place for another product in this category. We quickly came to the conclusion that this software fills a gap in the market.

Using computers for the very first time can be a worrying prospect for many users. The developers of this software address those concerns carefully. This is as easy as it can get for beginners.

The narrator's pleasant voice puts you at ease straight away. The visuals show you how to proceed one simple step at
a time. Even the very young ones can start learning to use computers with this package. If you are an older first time user, you now don't have any excuse to shy away from becoming computer literate.

Above is a section of a review by Kishor Kotecha, ETA Online. To view the full review, click here.

 

It starts as a very basic intro to getting going on computers and introduces the language and basic IT skills that will take a complete (and scared) beginner from turning the machine on, closing it down to finding out how to use a mouse, menus etc, organising the desktop, accessing the internet and upgrading the computer. There is a helpful glossary available and certificates can be printed out for each unit.

Above is a section of a review by Judith Stansfield, SENIT. To view the full review, click here.

 

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220 Soft and the courses they provide.