“Computer use is widespread at Henry Ford Village, and I applaud the enthusiasm and curiosity that community members bring to the classroom,” says Joan. Those interested sign up in the crafts room, and when enough interest is shown, a class is scheduled.
“I always stress in my classes that we are going to learn at a non-hurried pace,” she says. “Most of all, we have fun! By the end of the class, I feel like I have eight new friends who share my interest in the Internet. I also encourage participants to find other Internet users that they can ‘partner’ with,” says Joan. At a mere $10 for two hours of training, Joan’s classes are a deal, too.
E-mail and beyond
Jean primarily uses the computer lab for e-mailing family and friends. “I probably wouldn’t hear as much from my kids if I didn’t email,” she says. “It’s a shortcut to writing letters.”
One of Jean’s fellow Computer Club members, Warren Rivera, calls himself a ‘technology geek.’ While serving in the United States Marine Corps for, Warren worked as an electronics technician.
Warren, who moved from Eastpointe, not only emails a lot, he also does quite a bit of research online.
“I do research on any item that may come up, from mechanical problems to the lunch menu here,” says Warren. After surveying the dinner menu on campus, Warren diligently surfs the ‘net in order to figure out any curious, fancy, or just plain unknown food items. His most recent discovery was the meaning of the word ‘orzo,’ which was on the dinner menu one night. Warren looked up the word on the Internet and found out that ‘orzo’ is a type of pasta resembling grains of rice. He then went to dinner and dazzled his dining companions with his newfound knowledge.
“I act like I know it all,” laughs Warren.
Computer Club to the rescue
John Machetta, one of the originators of the Computer Club, often helps train fellow community members on campus, along with Warren.
“I have helped people out when they’ve asked for my help,” says John. According to John, who moved from Dearborn Heights, most of the computer ‘help sessions’ the Computer Club sponsors assist computer users who have specific problems, interests, or questions.
“The lab is convenient for people,” says John. “They can learn how to use a computer without having to buy one first. It’s a good pastime,” he says.
Computers are ore than just ‘fun and games.’ John regularly receives online newsletters, such as PC Financial; he also checks the status of his mutual fund investments online. John notes that his bank account, which is located at the Comerica Bank on campus, is also available online. “I can check my account anytime I want to,” he says.
More seniors are going ‘high tech’
Community members at Henry Ford Village are right in sync with the rest of the country when it comes to computer usage. Here are some ‘techno tidbits’.
According to a study by The Media Metrix, “Older Internet user’s now comprise the fastest growing demographic group in the U.S. Internet market. The study shows that mature users access the Internet more often, stay online for longer and visit more websites than younger users.”
“Fifteen percent of U.S. senior citizens (age 65-plus) have Internet access, and 69% of those go online every day. The number of Internet users in this group is rising, as 51% of the 50-64-yearolds also have Internet access,” according The Pew foundation Internet and American Life Project.
Studies done by SeniorNet, Home User Research reveal that, “Mature adults who access the Iternet do so at the highest rate and time of usage than all other age groups.”
Computers on campus are ready and waiting
With a convenient and handy computer lab on campus that’s open 24/7, oodlesof informative computer classes offered, a high-tech laser printer, and pristine computers on hand, it’s easy to see why so many community members at Henry Ford Village are ‘logging in.’
Jean wholeheartedly agrees, “Anybody can learn.”