Deschutes County Library assistant Jenny Pedersen Regina Adam is having computer problems. She has a laptop at home and today she’s using a desktop at the Redmond Public Library that’s giving her fits. She leans towards her neighbor and asks for help.
“Do I look like I know?” the woman responds good-naturedly.
Both ladies, neither younger than 70, are taking a class in setting up an online e-mail account, one of many introductory computer classes offered by the library. The series of classes covers everything from how to use a mouse, to opening programs, to creating a Word Document, to browsing the Internet. According to Lesli Warner, a library assistant that teaches many of the classes, the series is popular and the students are predominately senior citizens.
“They’re always really excited,” she said. “We teach them things like the difference between hardware and software, even how to turn on a machine. Oftentimes their children buy them computers or encourage them to get one but they don’t always live close to help them.”
Adam, 87, was one of those lucky seniors whose son picked out a computer for her – but he doesn’t live in Redmond so she has signed up for several courses offered by the library.
“I didn’t even know how to turn one on in the beginning,” she says with a chuckle.
During the e-mail class the students have many questions for teacher Jenny Pedersen, also a library assistant for Deschutes Public Library.
“How do you actually get the mail?” “How much does it cost?” “Do I need to belong to the Internet first?” One married couple asks if they should use the same password and she tells them it’s fine as long as they’re OK reading each other’s e-mail.
They look at each other and smile. “We’ll go separate I guess,” says the husband.
Pedersen goes slowly and explains to her 13 students – nearly all over 60 – in terms they will mostly likely relate to. “E-mail is like postal mail: you need to have a correct address to send a message to and you need to get yourself a ‘box’ to receive mail,” she tells them, stopping frequently to help them navigate to the right page and find the correct spots to enter information.
“Click? Click what?” mutters one woman out loud, causing Pederson to back up and give an impromptu lesson in mouse usage. Working with a mouse can be one of hardest things for seniors, according to Warner. “They don’t necessarily have the steadiest hands so we show them how to use the keyboard controls as well.”
They’re an attentive class, only falling into chaotic chatter when it comes time to think up a user name and password for their accounts. The reality that someone may already be using the name they want, making it unavailable, is confusing for some and the fact that the computer masks their passwords behind dots is frustrating for those who aren’t sure they typed it in correctly.
“I find that many seniors are timid on the computer; they’re afraid they’ll do something wrong and mess up the machine,” said Warner. “Younger folks have no problems. If there’s something I can’t figure out (on a computer) I find a teenager. I see young people all the time helping seniors at the library computer area.”
Outside of the introductory classes, the library offers more in areas like using the library catalog, working with graphics in a Word document, accessing the numerous databases the library utilizes, and Spanish-language instruction.
The basic computer classes are usually offered at least once a quarter, Warner said, and she encourages seniors to take them more than once, if need be. ”I tell them ‘You’ll learn something new every time’ and I see lots of repeat students,” she added. “Baby steps, I tell them. You have to keep using what you’ve learned and play with it.”
Adam plans on taking more computer classes so she can get more comfortable with the one she uses at home. Her newest frustration is learning how to send and receive photos; she’s heard you can change the size of the images but it sounds very complicated.
“I don’t want to get in too deep,” she says. “Like I need more problems in my life! But I’m learning.”
-- story and photo by Leslie Pugmire Hole
1 comments:
The father of my mom’s boyfriend is in assisted living and the Internet has proven a great way to keep busy and connect with family and friends. (Once he figured out how to use the darn thing.) He’s always forwarding comics and checking in. I think it’s a great tool for people who have trouble getting around. It’s us young folks who should spend less time online, get out, get active, and meet people the old fashioned way. :)
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