Geeks To Take Over Leeward’s Campus

Leeward Community College’s Geek Day, coordinated by its Digital Media and Computer Science faculty, celebrates its fifth year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 22 on the Pearl City campus.

The event will offer free hands-on workshops and demonstrations dealing with a range of technological topics, including social media and cloud computing, in both Mac and Windows platforms. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for registration.

“We’re hoping the public will learn something new that helps them to become more productive or creative,” said LCC director of marketing and communications Kathleen Cabral. “We hope a session will spark something that encourages them to experiment and learn more.

“We also know that we help people with all kinds of technical questions about computers and mobile devices. Just being able to sit down one-on-one, with one of our students or faculty and asking a question can be invaluable.”

Geek Day is part of the college’s Career and Technical Education Month, and those in attendance are eligible to win door prizes that include iTunes, Google Play and Amazon gift cards and more.

“We focus on technology because it is woven into almost every aspect of everyday life,” Cabral explained. “It’s not just for ‘geeks’ anymore. It’s vital that everyone understands technology and not be afraid of it.”

The college garners its technological expertise through its Information & Computer Science, Digital Media and TV Production programs, as well as its Educational Media Center’s technology developers.

Geek Day sessions cover digital photography (bring your own camera), building your own app, building a website with Adobe Muse, painting on Bamboo Tablet, shopping smarter with your smart-phone, computer security, easy animation and much more.

Plus, several sessions are geared specifically toward educators, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Cabral noted that the photography sessions are among the most popular. The sessions feature hands-on experience to help people take better photographs, from the basics of composition to understanding lighting and camera settings.

“People will take photos and get critiques on how to improve,” she added.

“There are also a few sessions on image editing, so you can learn about adjusting exposure, adding filters and taking a nice snapshot and turning it into a really good image.”

Aside from the workshops, Geek Day is offering a Digital Café, where attendees can discover new apps for mobile devices, as well as participate in mini-roundtable discussions and ask LCC staff technical questions.

Lunch will be available for purchase from food vendors on site.

“It’s like friends getting together to talk about ‘what’s new’ and sharing best practices and tips,” Cabral said of the event. “Each year brings a diverse group of new (attendees). We’ve worked with nonprofits eager to understand how social media can be used to promote their causes, and with high school teachers who leave the day equipped with new ways to leverage technology to make learning fun.”

For more information about Geek Day and its available sessions and workshops, visit www.leeward.hawaii.edu/GeekDay.