Midstate seniors using classes to boost their computer skills

The first time Ida Murphy used a computer was in 2009 when she went to get a mammogram.

The touch-screen computer at the hospital was a little intimidating for the 73-year-old, but she took her time reading and re-reading the instructions on the screen and eventually relaxed enough to fill out the medical history form.

The experience brought her to a sudden realization, though: She didn’t know how to use a computer, and she didn’t like being so dependent.

“I need to learn for myself,” Murphy said. “It’s hard when you’ve got to ask somebody else to do (something) because they’re doing it on their time.”

Murphy started taking a free class called Kindergarten Computers for Seniors offered at the Macon-Bibb County Senior Center. After the first class, Murphy said she thought, “What have I gotten myself into?” But by her fourth lesson in September, she was making progress.

“It’s a struggle at times because I’m trying to get used to ... (my) fingers doing what they’ve never done before,” Murphy said.

She has a hard time keeping the mouse on the mouse pad, so she spent her fourth lesson playing online games to practice.

Larry Wright, the activities supervisor at the center, teaches the classes. He said many of his senior students have a hard time using a mouse and, more often, just learning not to be afraid.

“They have different tutoring programs where we work on usage of the mouse,” Wright said. “A lot of them that I work with also play solitaire to learn some of the skills.”

Most of his students want to learn how to use the computer so they can email family members and play games.

Teaching seniors has its challenges, he said. Many of them are afraid of online scams or think they’ll break the machine.

“You have to really take time with them,” Wright said. “It’s a lot more hands-on with them. You’ve got to almost have a small class.”

Middle Georgia Regional Library also offers computer classes for all ages.

Earl Hicks, 67, was one of a handful of students taking a free class at the library recently called Computer Basics.

Hicks, who retired from mining kaolin in Twiggs County, wasn’t interested in learning how to use a computer until this summer.

“I figured I wouldn’t need it,” he said. “You start looking at the world now. It’s a computer world. ... Any information you get through the mail, they tell you ‘click, click.’ ”

And he doesn’t want to be left behind.

While most bills can be paid with the click of a mouse, Hicks said he still mails a check. That probably won’t change even after he learns more because he is wary of online scams.

Hicks has fiddled with computers before, learning by trial and error, but this is his first lesson. He said he struggles most with typing.

‘THEY’RE DUMB MACHINES’

Kevin Bryant is a reference library assistant who teaches some of the computer classes at Washington Memorial Library. Recently, he paced behind the chairs of Hicks and other students and instructed them to open Microsoft Word.

“Don’t be afraid of computers,” Bryant told the class. “They’re dumb machines that only do what you tell them to do.”

The most obvious difference between teaching seniors and younger people is their level of confidence, Bryant said.

“Usually the older seniors have more trouble with the mouse (and) they typically freeze up a little more,” he said. “If one little thing goes wrong, they go hands off the keyboard and kind of sit back like, ‘Whoa! What did I do wrong?’ Whereas younger people, they’re just kind of like, ‘I don’t know what happened.’ They don’t seem to have as much fear as older people.”

Bryant said his first time teaching a computer class was a wake-up call. Material he thought would take about 20 minutes to teach ended up taking about an hour.

“When you grow up with computers, it’s second nature to you,” the 34-year-old said. “You don’t realize how much you take for granted the things you just basically know how to do just instantly.”

Touch-screen basics, texting, sharing photos and video chatting are some of the skills taught in the free Technology Education Knowledge workshops offered by AARP. The workshops started in June and are held at a different location each month. Usually, about 50 students show up for the class, which breaks into smaller groups to learn.

Myrtle Habersham, AARP’s lead volunteer for the Macon-Bibb area, said many people who have come to the workshops have been seniors. Most students have some knowledge of how to use a computer, smartphone or iPad, but about a quarter of them aren’t familiar with devices at all, Habersham said. But they’re eager to learn.

“They cite several reasons, you know, for fun and companionship because that gives them the chance to interact more,” Habersham said. “Others say even when they go to their doctor’s (office), ... they’ve got to use the computers to fill out forms. Others want to learn to take pictures.”

Students send text messages to instructors asking when lunch is, Habersham said, and instructors respond. They also use Siri, geolocating apps and more.

“They’re tickled to death that they’ve learned to turn it on, and then they’re asking questions about all of the icons,” Habersham said. “They not only get a chance to get the explanation but actually test the functionality.”

By the time class is over, Habersham said the students aren’t afraid they’ll break the machines.

While learning the ins and outs of how to use devices is satisfying, Habersham said one capability gives the most thrills.

“I’ll tell you, the biggest hit is when they take their selfie,” she said. “They can take pictures of anything, but they’re taking themselves and then actually looking at it. That is just fascinating. That is usually the key that makes them want to do more.”

This story was originally published October 4, 2014 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Midstate seniors using classes to boost their computer skills."