[Web4lib] Classes for Seniors

[Michele Haytko]

Let me try to refine my post further.  We offer computer classes that
range from the basics up through high usage productivity software.
Those classes are open for everyone and we've taught from 8 year old
homeschoolers through users in their 80s.  There are no restrictions
on these classes and we market them to everyone.  These classes are
complete with "tests" that students must pass to go onto the next
class.

In the last few months, our marketing has garnered us A LOT of senior
citizens.  These students, by their own admission, not only have no
clue as to how to use a PC, they have no idea what a PC is, nor do
they wish to enter the job market, go back to school, etc.  They want
basic PC knowledge/skills and how to get on the Internet to email
their friends, kids, and grandkids.  As we don't have anything as
basic as their needs suggest they want, we've decided to implement
classes like this, in addition to our normal classes.

These classes will not have tests at the end and will not count as any
prereqs.  They are simply some basic level courses.  If non-seniors
wanted to take them, we'd sign them up in a heartbeat, but most of our
non-senior students want more than just "this is a computer and this
is your email", which is why they take our traditional classes.

There are plenty of folks, young and old alike, who do not have
computer knowledge.  The difference is the goal.  Do they want to
integrate computers into their life or do they just feel like they
need to know "something" so that they can do one or two things.  Those
different desires dictate different classes, especially since those
falling into the latter category are not passing the traditional
classes.

Thanks again for your comments and your name suggestions.  So far,
we've liked "Silver Surfers" the best; a close second is "the Silver
Track".

~michele~

-- 
**************)0(**************
Mrs. C. Michele Haytko
Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library
MC-NPL Computer Lab
1001 Powell Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-278-5100 Ext. 141

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