In our modern world computer use is becoming essential even for older people, who unlike their children or grandchildren did not have the opportunity to learn computing in school or on the job. Those lacking computer skills are missing out on a valuable resource. But seniors and retirees are trying to close the generation gap by taking computer courses.

An opportunity to take such courses is being offered by the Senior Ministry of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in the Upper Kirby area. A wide range of computer classes are offered, designed for anyone 50 and older. The “hands-on instructor led” classes meet for two hours Monday and Tuesday for three weeks in the church’s computer learning center. Tuition is $75 for each course, which includes a textbook and the use of a classroom computer. All classes are on a first come, first paid basis.

Seniors Ministry Director Dodie Harrington points out that the classes are not restricted to church members. “Anyone can sign up for the classes. This is outreach. We want people. Its fine if someone from the church wants to take it, but that is not our purpose. Our purpose was to try and open it up to the community, where there are people out there who are 65 and older and want to know about the computer but are afraid to get into it or don’t know very much about it.” She says the Ministry is very fortunate to have two experienced teachers for the classes.

Director of Computer Learning Zoe Bunch says she began teaching computer classes at Hal-PC and later at the Houston Junior Forum. “When I first started off I did not work with seniors. I did mostly doctors and lawyers and secretaries, and I had this little lady that came up to me one day and said that her daughter had taken our classes, and she started crying and said but I am too old and she won’t let me in your class. And that started me thinking that I needed to branch out and work with the elders. We decided to volunteer our time just with seniors.”

She says that all participants must take the basic course and after that can take other courses like Windows, internet, Word, Excel, and image editing. Students must have access to a computer at home after completion of the basic course. “They have to have access to a computer because it doesn’t do any good to have all these courses if you don’t have any way to practice.”

The instructors will help students pick out a computer to buy. “They tell us how much money they would like to spend and what they would really like to do, and then we will give them three different ways they can go about it and hand them a sheet of paper to take to Best Buy or Microcenter and show them what they want.”

Instuctor Stephen Scott has been teaching computer training classes for 35 years. “I grew up with it,” he says. “I was in the military and learned how to use computers, and went and got a degree when I got out. I like working with seniors. They need someone to help them along slowly , because they did not grow up with computers. That’s how you communicate nowadays.”

Participants in the class range in age from 55 to 93, according to Mrs. Harrington. The 93 year old woman, she says, was “sharp as a tack, very eager to learn. Her children had given her their old computer. That is a lot of the ways the elderly get their computers, they are hand-me-downs. She decided she wanted to learn how to use it, rather than keep it there in a box.”

Those attending the classes are grateful for the opportunity to learn to do what others are doing. Student Ann McKay says, “Its been a terrific eye opener as to what I could do and didn’t know I could do. Thanks to Zoe and Steve its really been great. The internet and email were things that I couldn’t do before, everyone else seemed to do, now I can do at home.”

Classmate Doris Thomas agrees. “I started out wondering if this was really going to help me, and it certainly has. A lot of things I have been doing but I didn’t know why I was doing it, but now I have an understanding, and I am looking forward to more classes.”