The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Community Learning Network is coming to an end, but its legacy will live on. CLN was established in Flin Flon in 2001 with the aim of promoting lifelong learning, placing an emphasis on technological skills. With the three-year, federally-funded initiative winding up, organizers hosted a luncheon yesterday at the Flin Flon City Council Chambers to review the achievements of the program. "We've met the goals and objectives we set out to achieve for this project," project facilitator Heather Johnsgaard, speaking from a podium, told some 30 people on hand. "We've proven there's a lot to learn about technology and it's important to keep on learning." During a PowerPoint presentation, Johnsgaard reviewed a number of benefits CLN has bestowed to the community. She spoke of providing education in areas like the Internet through workshops attended by nearly 400 participants from the Flin Flon-Creighton area as well as Thompson, The Pas, and Cranberry Portage. "In a final survey of our participants, 64 per cent of the responses indicated that they had used the training they received through CLN either at home, at work, or through their volunteer organizations," said Johnsgaard. Other success came in the form of securing grant money for three computers for community use, which have been placed at the library, Aboriginal Headstart program, and Rotary Court. "With the computer at Rotary Court, we have provided ongoing basic computer and basic Internet training," said Johnsgaard, adding that the seniors "love" using the computer. See 'Software' P.# Con't from P.# The project facilitator noted that CLN has also secured grant money for computer software packages at the library and Aboriginal Headstart as well as equipment to teach food care handlers and health care workers how to properly wash their hands. An informative Web site on CLN was also launched and numerous partnerships with community groups established, among other initiatives. Given technology's place in today's society, Johnsgaard said CLN recognized that "lifelong learning is the key to success." "The CLN has become self sustainable," she told the crowd. "Individuals within the community have gained the skills that they can use at work, at home, or through their volunteer organization, and those individuals have and continue to share their skills that they have gained through CLN." The federal government, through the Office of Learning Technologies, provided CLN with $300,000 over three years.
