This Active Life -- November 2002

Computers

Ready. Set. Click!

If you've been putting off using a computer, consider taking a class geared for seniors.

You go to the local library and find--to your dismay--that the card catalog has been replaced by a computer with wires sticking every which way. Or maybe you've got a personal computer (PC) given to you by a well-meaning son or daughter, now tucked away in a closet or gathering dust on an old table.

Whatever the case, it's clear that while seniors are taking to computers and the Internet in increasing numbers, some remain reluctant, timid, or just unsure about how to take that first step.

A solution? Take a low-pressure class on using computers designed for seniors.

The first goal of such classes should be to help you overcome any anxiety about using the machinery, says Susan Manley, program director for senior computer classes at Bradley University. Her beginner's course is called "Computers for Scaredy-Cats" because she found so many seniors were nervous about using the equipment. Students in the class learn such basics as turning the computer on and off, how to put together new equipment, how to start programs, and how to use a menu.

One early lesson focuses on using the mouse, the small tool you use to point and click at various functions on the computer screen. "I use solitaire as my starting point, and we learn to click and drag" the mouse around the screen, Manley says. Using the mouse requires sharp vision and steady hands, so it's important for her students to become comfortable with this essential skill.

Michigan member Phyllis Rule has taken several computer courses and is now using the computer to send e-mail, compose letters, and manage the photos she takes on her digital camera.

"I think the biggest step is discovering that you can use it, and that you're not going to wreck it," says Rule. "It just takes time to adjust to how the computer works." Her recent successes? She created invitations to her daughter's wedding and learned how to manage a member record database for her local retired organization.

When choosing a class, be sure to ask questions about the content of the course, the pace, and whether the instructors have experience working with seniors. Manley advises not relying on a friend or family member to provide basic instruction because they "tend to zip around on the screen and do all the work for you." However, more experienced users can be a great resource once you've got your feet wet and have some specific questions needing answers.

--Lorinda Bullock and John O'Neil

For More

SeniorNet is a great place to start if you want to begin learning about using the computer. Contact SeniorNet, 121 Second Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105; tel: 415/495-4990; fax: 415/495-3999. SeniorNet can link you with one of their 220 learning centers, where computer courses are available for a modest fee. Once you're up and running on the computer, SeniorNet's webpage (www.seniornet.org) offers free online tutorials and a wealth of other resources.

Quick Tips

Quell Your Anxiety
It's natural to be nervous. Just think about the first time you went into deep water! But rest assured that everyone else probably has the same jitters. If you join a class with other seniors, you're likely to find everyone else in the same boat.

Be Selective
Although many commercial firms, community colleges, and adult education programs offer computer classes, look for one that takes your needs into account. Classes designed specifically for seniors have the added benefit of linking you with a ready-made support group.