What is a computer?

What is a computer? The words echoed through my mind. So, what is a computer? I felt the tinkering urge to turn to the ol’ faithful dictionary. Computer n an electronic device that processes data according to a set of instructions. Wait. What is a computer? It’s something that comes as first nature to most of us but to some the question still lingers unanswered.

After finding my feet in Shimoni, I put my hand up to teach adult English and couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding experience. Yuda, a determined adult English student oozes with awe inspiring motivation. He attends his one hour English classes, three times a week without fail. He has a willingness to learn, pick up the pieces that don’t make sense and eventually fit them perfectly together. The past 8 weeks have seen glimpses of verbs, adjectives, nouns, punctuation and a favourite of mine, tenses. Although English is my first language, I will happily admit it’s one the hardest things I’ve had to teach to date. Yuda has happily been trudging though the classic Charlotte’s Web over the past weeks and during my last lesson we came to that nail biting page, “THE END”. Besides Yuda’s proud grin, he could happily tell me that Wilbur will be fine because Charlotte’s baby spiders will look after him.

Youda

Yuda has jumped into the deep end and has now decided to take on computer classes. His determination and eagerness to learn will be the light at the end of the tunnel. So, what is a computer? Well, a computer can do a lot of things. I can’t think of them all right now but I will let you know when I receive my first email from Yuda.

Tegan Stanley, Volunteer

Youda in computer class

What is a computer?