GR seniors learn computer basics

For the younger generations, using a computer is almost second nature, but for seniors, it can be scary.

Seniors at the Golden Hour Senior Center who were interested in learning about their computers were encouraged to take a computer basics class from Western Wyoming Community College employee Kristy Kauppi.

About a handful of seniors were at the class; and even though it was the second to last class they knew they would need more classes. Kauppi told them they could take more classes in the fall if they would like.

Before the official start to the class, Kauppi asked the group how things were going. Cory Doak said he couldn't get his computer to print at home and wanted to know why. Kauppi told him next time he tries to print, to double click the printer icon and see what message it gives him. She told him to then let her know what the message says through email. Doak then said he tried to email her, but it wasn't going through. With a quick look at the email, Kauppi determined he wasn't typing her email address in correctly.

She asked the class why they hadn't sent her emails, which was their assignment from the last class. The students looked at each other and some admitted they couldn't get it to work.

"I thought I was going to fail the class because I forgot to send it," Lila Seyersdahl said.

Kauppi told them they weren't going to fail the class, she just wanted them to learn how to send an email. For those who were still confused, Kauppi reviewed the basics of the email. She said all emails have an email address followed by an @ sign and then the email provider's name.

"We need to learn that so we can stay in contact with our family, grandkids and friends," Kauppi said.

After reviewing the email information, Kauppi moved onto how to use Facebook, which was a request from the seniors.

She introduced the seniors to the website http://www.gcflearnfree.org/facebook101/ This website allows the seniors to learn all they want to about Facebook. It has videos for them to watch and everything.

It took a few minutes for the seniors to type in the address into the web browser. Most were using their pointer fingers to type in the information. When the reached the website, they were instructed to click on certain icons to learn about various Facebook topics. A lot of the people seniors want to know about, such as their grandchildren and children, are probably on Facebook already she said.

"My generation cannot talk face to face," Kauppi said.

They want to text, Facebook or use some other form of online communication. Kauppi said she is one who likes face-to-face conversations, but she does enjoy Facebook because it allows her to see what her relatives in other states are doing.

Doak said he knows Facebook is a way to socialize online, but he doesn't always like what other people post or how negative people are.

"The reason I don't use it is people are way to nosey and into my business," Doak said.

This led to a conversation about privacy settings and the group followed up with watching a video about how to set Facebook privacy settings.

Kauppi told the class that this website they were using in the class wasn't just for learning about Facebook. She said they can learn about almost any computer program, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

All the class attendees must remember is how to get to the website http://www.gcflearnfree.org.