Never too late

Seniors who are curious about computers or who want to increase their skills have an enthusiastic mentor in a group called SeniorNet.

By SHIRLEY M. MILLER

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

If you think you were born 30 years too soon and it's too late to join the computer generation, think again.

Tampa area residents in their 60s, 70s, even 80s are becoming computer-savvy through the national, non-profit SeniorNet.

SeniorNet, whose motto is "Bringing wisdom to the information age," serves computer-using adults 50 and older. Its mission is to give them "access to and education about computer technology and the Internet to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom."

Based in San Francisco, SeniorNet began as a small research project in 1986 and has since taught more than 100,000 older adults to use computers and the Internet. Global membership is estimated at more than 34,500, with a network of more than 180 locally run Learning Centers in at least 38 states. The organization is funded by member dues, center fees, individual donations and sponsorship from companies and foundations.

At the heart of each Learning Center is a core of older adult volunteers -- more than 4,000 nationwide. I am one of them.

"We began at USF SeniorNet in September 1993 with eight instructors and six computers and 78 students," says Lee Leavengood, director of the Senior Programs division at the University of South Florida, which sponsors the Tampa Bay SeniorNet Learning Center. "Today at the USF campus in Tampa we have two computer labs and over 100 volunteer instructors and coaches, and we offer about 20 classes per session serving approximately 200 students per session."

The USF-based SeniorNet, one of 10 in Florida, also offers courses in St. Petersburg and at the USF campus in Lakeland.

"The success of this program is based on the dedication and commitment of the men and women who teach and coach," Leavengood says. (A coach is an instructor's aide. During these eight-week sessions, several coaches are usually assigned to a class to roam around the room and help students who need it.)

In addition to the regular introductory and advanced computer courses, volunteers created and now teach a course for the Hillsborough County Working Seniors Programs, geared to preparing seniors to enter or re-enter the labor market.

People who have taken a SeniorNet class can join the SeniorNet Users Group, or SNUG, which meets monthly. Many lasting friendships have formed here. The monthly newsletter, Snuggle, which I edit, keeps SNUG members informed about computer information, as well as the doings of the Genealogy Special Interest Group and regular SNUG meetings. Snuggle also offers regular columns, poetry and jokes. (A graphics special interest group is on hold for lack of a suitable place to meet.)

The SeniorNet volunteers' success at USF is not just about teaching and learning. It is about people helping one another, and the satisfaction that brings.

"Everyone is so willing to share their knowledge with others, from technical support to comfort," said Jo Ann Sanderson, a graphics instructor who serves on more than one of SeniorNet's governing bodies. Sanderson was my first instructor in 1997. After learning what I could do with graphics (make all my own greeting cards!), I hurried out and bought a new computer to support my new hobby.

The joy of helping others is a theme that emerged invariably as I asked members to describe SeniorNet. "Serving as a coach has helped me hone my own skills immeasurably, and it has been such fun to see the light come on in the students' eyes," one member wrote in an e-mail.

Fred Otten, a founding member of SNUG, has coached courses for five years. "No matter how many times I go through the same course, I have always learned something new," he said. Otten founded Snuggle; he was editor the first two years, and he now contributes poetry and humor.

What happens in a SeniorNet class is not always predictable.

"Once I was teaching the Internet and asked the class to visit the White House Web site," said David Henry of Carrollwood Village, one of the USF Learning Center's original instructors and founders. "I gave them the Web address and then found some laughter breaking out in the back row. One student had made a typing error and found himself looking at a nude girlie site instead."

Henry, who has been an instructor of "Exploring the Internet" and a coach of "Introduction to Computers," operates David's Links for Seniors, a Web site updated monthly with Web site addresses that seniors would find valuable (contributed by other SNUG members). He also contributes a "Bits and Bytes" column to Snuggle.

Like their students, many instructors and coaches have had to overcome fears of technology.

Bob Grimes of Plantation, who has taught and coached several graphics classes, said that before his retirement in 1992, he was afraid of the computer. At work, "I thought I might destroy valuable information if I hit the wrong key," he said. "Today, I use my computer as easily as I use my telephone and TV."

I learned in a basic Internet class in which I was a coach that age has little to do with learning ability. The instructor had brought the class to a screen that asked some personal questions, for purposes of registration at that Web site. I had been helping two eager-to-learn, easy-to-teach students for several weeks, knowing nothing about them except their first names.

Now, I am well past 70, but I was taken aback when each of them filled in on the registration form their birth years: 1918 and 1914.

What is that adage? It's never too late to learn.

SeniorNet doesn't come together without considerable effort.

Don Meng heads a group of volunteers who plan and coordinate instruction, technical services, support services, financial plans and scheduling at our Learning Center. Meng tells this story about an introductory class he taught:

"Our opening class uses solitaire for teaching mouse skills." He turned the class loose on solitaire, unaware that one member was a retired Baptist missionary. Since Baptists did not play cards, the man had no idea what Meng was talking about. Meng had to show him what a spade, heart, diamond and club were. Once the minister learned the game, he "ended up the fastest operator in my class."

Peri-Anne Warstler coordinates technical services; her team maintains the SeniorNet hardware and software. Warstler is largely self-taught, but she credits SeniorNet people with having shared their expertise with her since 1994.

Robbins Denham, president of SNUG, also coordinates course and instructor scheduling, a task that matches volunteers to course needs.

"I never sat in front of a computer until after I bought my own," Denham says. After a shaky start in learning how to use the computer, SeniorNet came into his view, and then he was hooked.

"SeniorNet opened up a whole new sphere of friendships for me as it provided a fantastic new method of communicating and recording things of interest, particularly in genealogy," Denham says. "I use my computer nearly every day and would not want to be without it again."

Joyce Olsson, a volunteer who spends one day a week at the USF SeniorNet offices, says SeniorNet "opened a whole new world of technology to me and started me writing," as well as doing e-mail, games and correspondence. "Becoming computer savvy gave me enough knowledge to be able to talk to my computer-tech son about many things."

Leon Izmirlian was a professional photographer; he now takes pictures for us and is proficient in digital photography and imaging. "Four years ago I knew what a computer was but felt that it was too complicated to learn to operate," he said. "SeniorNet changed all that."

Izmirlian now looks forward to checking his e-mail, playing games, checking the stock market, and preparing photos to send to friends.

"I have been able to locate friends and family of 50 years ago, send them some of their earlier photos, and even have reunions." All told, it's a "very satisfying experience."

SeniorNet courses

SeniorNet Courses are offered in fall, winter and spring.

This fall's schedule includes Introduction to Computers, Windows 98, Graphics, Word Processing, Exploring the Internet, Financial Management/Quicken, and Working Seniors. Classes begin the week of Sept. 18; registration is Aug. 22 for introductory classes, and Aug. 25 for advanced classes.

A seminar on How to Buy a Computer is scheduled for Aug. 23. Course registration requires national SeniorNet membership plus specific course fees. SeniorNet International membership costs $30; class fees, which include materials and parking, are $75. For more information, call 813-974-2403.

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