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Maintenance Tip
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Maintenance Tip |
The first thing I say when I meet a group of grown-ups who want to learn to use computers and the Internet is that there is no such thing as a "dumb" question. In the very first session I conducted over two years ago, I met with a group of over one hundred grown-ups. During an exchange of questions, responses, and extended discussion on everything from how computers work through the economics of the Internet, I remember the courageous question one man asked-"what's a mouse"?
I've promised to remember this moment because the spirit of that question is exactly what I am trying to carry forward in this guide. In our work with grown-ups and computing since 1996, I've learned time and time again that breaking down the initial fear of using computers is 99% of the battle.
Breaking down this obstacle brings me to this question for you, "what thought first comes to mind when you hear the word computer?" Is it a positive or a negative feeling, or perhaps a mix of both? I've asked this question many times during sessions I've conducted around the country in the past year, and I always see a mixture of interest, amusement, and anxiety in response to this question.
Frequently, I encounter a fear of breaking or losing "something" on the computer. Without really knowing what a software program is, many people are afraid they will accidently lose a program if they use the computer.
Grown-ups often marvel that kids such as their grandchildren are completely at ease with computer. In contrast, grown-ups have seen the computer and Internet take root in our schools, businesses, and social lives but have passively watched these exciting developments from the sidelines.
It doesn't have to be this way. I've seen hundreds of grown-ups begin working with us as "complete beginners," and over the course of two days, learn to operate a computer completely on their own, connect to the Internet, browse pages of a "web site," and send electronic mail to friends or family members.