Making Seniors Aware of Today S

Making Seniors Aware of Today’s Best Kept Secret!!! By Don Weidman

Welcome to a “World” that will allow you to show off your talents, visit captivating vacation spots, discuss what you have learned in life, be an active member of a Book Club discussion group, win free movie tickets, unravel the mysteries of digital photography, obtain answers about assisted living, or browse the market place for discounts on computers and other products.

SeniorNet is the world’s largest trainer of adults 50 and older covering computer technology and the Internet. There are more than 230 SeniorNet Learning Centers in 38 states as well as the largest on-line community for older adults at www.seniornet.org

SeniorNet, is a not-for-profit online community which began in 1986. There are over 40,000 members who pay a yearly membership fee of $30 and then are able to take computer courses at a low cost and enhance the quality of their lives through the use of computers.

What makes SeniorNet so special is the participants receive personalized instruction by knowledgeable seniors who are retired professionals. The arrangement of the classes, depending on the individual Learning Center are there are between 10 and 12 computers with up to 2 Teachers assisted by 2 Coaches promoting your learning process.

Course fees provide sufficient funding to enable the Learning Centers to be financially self-sufficient after startup. Course fees are for supplies, class materials, newsletters, and postage. A portion of each course fee is usually allocated to a fund used to periodically upgrade the Center’s computer equipment.

SeniorNet computer classes are designed specifically for the older adult. Volunteers teach the classes and are dedicated to making the learning experience both informative and fun. Currently SeniorNet has over 4,500 volunteers who teach at the Learning Centers. Courses begin with adults who have no knowledge of computer technology. Then there is a series of eight sessions courses, that are each 2 to 2 and ½ hours and include Introduction to Computers, the Internet and E-mail, Word Processing, Graphics and other topics of interest. The learning environment is prepared for the adult who hasn’t been in a classroom for some time and the “fear and intimidation” factors are easily overcome.

Learning Centers often develop a special interest group called SNUG. This is the SeniorNet Users Group who meet monthly to further learn about topics of interest, be it tracing ones family genealogy, financial computer programs for income tax preparation or to invite a speaker to become more informed on a special technology subject.

Benefits

· Access to SeniorNet Learning Centers · Discounts on Hardware and software

· Adobe

· IBM

· Microsoft

· Quarterly Newsletter

· Special discounts for SeniorNet members only on travel

· Online Courses (about political affairs, memoir writing, how to search the Internet and other topics)

· Meet people and make lifelong friends

· Sneak previews on new happening on the SeniorNet website

· Cutting edge reports on technology and how it will impact older adults

· Registered users on the SeniorNet’s web site receive FREE bimonthly email updates that highlight new content areas , member discounts and discussion groups

SeniorNet Demographics:

50-64— 20%

65-74— 49%

75-84— 28%

85-96— 3%

Senior Student Responses at the conclusion of a class

When a course concludes it is not rare for there to be a cake brought in by members of the class and normally personal thanks expressed to the class Teachers and Coaches. One woman was leaving a class and expressed her thanks and was in tears. When asked why, she responded “You brought my husband back to life for me.” When asked what she meant, she said, “My husband was very involved in personal computing. When he died, I would not touch the computer for fear that I would destroy what he had created. Based on what I have learned, I no longer have that apprehension of the computer, you have given me the confidence to access his efforts.

The excitement is the eyes of a senior who has sent their first e-mail to a grandchild or a distant family member are examples that define why volunteers participate in this worthwhile activity. In each class there are adults that “open the window” of their future and it is for those who think there future has past.

Learning More about SeniorNet

If you would like to learn more about SeniorNet or volunteer to participate in this rewarding adventure contact the SeniorNet Learning Center near you (as listed in the sidebar). Don’t miss being a member of this caring and sharing community.

At the upcoming 50 Plus Senior Exposition on October 19th, there will be both a SeniorNet booth and lecture Sessions that will provide you additional insight into this “Best Kept Secret”.

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