I love my job as a computer guy. Especially tutoring and teaching average people (seniors, parents, non-geeks) how too use computers. Everyday I meet interesting people, see new challenges and play with new toys.
Today I was thinking about what could possibly make my job more fun and I had a great idea.
I would love to be a computer guy on a cruise ship. Not to maintain the ship's computers but to teach tourists and help them with their computer problems. Most cruises feature entertainers, exercise classes, theaters and all kinds of ways to stay busy.
Cruise ships also offer wireless Internet access. Tourists bring their laptops, digital cameras and other gadgets along with them. I can't help but think that some of these travelers would love to take a break from the buffet and take a computer or digital photography class.
Between classes I could be on call for anyone who was having problems with their laptop or computer.
There are probably tons of folks out there who would love to do a job like this, but I am the best computer teacher for adults /seniors on the planet right now so I am not worried about anyone stealing my idea.
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Adam,
Pretty much all the cruise lines have what you are describing. The one we sail on regularly (Celebrity) contracts with a company that provides classes while at sea, allows people to download their photos, create CD, etc. Most of the lines also contract with big corporations.
I am sad to hear that corporations are already doing this. I don't think that corporations can offer the real world computer knowledge and help that I could.
The most common comments I get from students who take my classes are things like, "I have taken several computer classes, but none of them have ever made any sense until this one."
Standardized computer lessons and classes can't offer the flexibility that I could offer. While I cover the same material in every series of classes how I teach differs with who I teach. Even the material I cover is generally neglected in most beginner computer classes.
We should apply Adam: Geek Cruises .
Adam,I do not know how this reply feature works! Is it a chat thing that anyone can chime in,or is it just for your web page? I agree with the writer, that most Computer Classes do not tke the time to see if people are “Learning”!
I guess they should have pop quizs to test the lessons.
Regards,Ernie, a Rick & Adam fan.
With all due respect, I don’t want to take up valuable class time finding out if other attendees are learning. Rick and Adam are GREAT, and we should all feel free (I certainly do) to ask any questions we want to. I think the classes work best when each of us is responsible for his (or her ? don’t you just love the way political correctness has “clumsified” grammar!) own progress. On top of that, we are all free to hire Rick or Adam to come over for a private lesson (or problem solving session) at their normal hourly rate. To do otherwise would tend to hold back the more intermediate attendees in favor of the complete beginners. That wouldn’t be fair, either. If any person feels too intimidated to ask questions in class, all I can say is “Please do ask your question.” Both Rick and Adam have repeatedly said in class that the only stupid question is the unasked one. Accordingly, as an “intermediate,” my vote is in favor of the status quo, which I consider to be about as perfect as reasonably possible.
Large companies take the contracts because they can afford the vendor requirements for the cruise lines.
Instructors are usually 1099 contractors, are given basic curriculum information, then told to teach whatever they want from the course list.
For example, on Princess Cruise Lines, I taught people Photoshop Elements version 8, while other instructors who taught from the material taught version 3 or 4. They were not comfortable with the “newer versions” (more like latest version) and strictly went by the lesson plan.
However, I the instructors have no corporate training except what they bring. They are responsible to the company for teaching and reporting on revenue. That’s it.