Welcome to Carroll Tech
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Learn how to use the Keystone Library Automation System, Online Public Access Catalog in our FREE KLAS OPAC self-paced course.
If you need training in popular Windows-based applications and use a screen reader or screen magnification program to access your computer, you'll be happy to learn of the courses now available at Carroll Tech.
Courses at Carroll Tech are designed for you if you:
- Need training in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint or any of a number of braille, speech or large print devices
- Are a first-time user or need to upgrade your knowledge
- Use the screen readers JAWS For Windows or Window-Eyes or the screen magnifiers ZoomText or MAGic
The first step is to become a member of Carroll Tech. Membership is free and open to everyone. Once you are a member, you can begin the qualification process.
The next step is to complete a 50 question pre-qualifying test of your computer skills to ensure that you have the necessary background knowledge for all of the class content. Go to the qualify page to complete this important task.
After qualifying, take a look at the classes page, where the catalogue of courses , syllabi, and start dates are available. Instructor led courses take place four times a year. In addition to the standard mix of online reading, videos, exercises and quizzes, you will have the opportunity to participate in audio chat sessions with your instructor and fellow students. Courses are also available on a self paced basis where you can work your way through the lessons a quickly or slowly as your schedule will allow. Self paced courses start when you register and end after 12 weeks. You may not need all that time, but you never know what might interrupt your schedule so it is nice to have the extra time.
Before you register for a class, you may want more details of just what is involved in the course. What topics will be covered? How much reading will be required and how it is accessed? Will there be any homework or tests? What exactly is a "audio chat session?" After you read the course description and syllabus, the best way to get the answers to these more specific questions is to take a guided tour of a typical class. There, you can watch a video, read a chapter for a lesson, take a short quiz, and listen in on an audio chat session.
Attend a special event:
Not all classes offered through Carroll Tech take place over the course of weeks. From time to time, Carroll Tech hosts one-hour to two-day special events of interest to access technology users. These events may be:
- Demonstrations by access technology vendors
- Lectures by Carroll Center staff
- Presentations on technology services offered by government agencies
Many of these events are free of charge, but others may have a small fee associated with them. You must register to attend in advance for all events. To register for an event, or to sign up for the email list to receive announcements of future events, go to the special events page.
All Carroll Tech courses and special events are made available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Classes are currently limited to a maximum of 15 students and events are limited to a maximum of forty attendees.
Keep in touch
You can always come back to the Carroll Tech website and review the calendars of classes and special events, but you might also want to add your email address to one or more of our newsletters. This way, you are guaranteed to be among the first to hear of the availability of new courses and events. Go to the newsletters page to put your name on one or more lists. If you use an RSS reader or subscribe to an RSS service, you may also want to subscribe to one of our many RSS feeds, so you can be alerted whenever a new class is scheduled.