By Melissa Borgerding
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The clack of computer keys fills the lab at Monarch Landing, where Bill Kopperud teaches computer basics to fellow residents. Despite years of working with computers, the retired dentist from Naperville says he is by no means an expert. But, he believes that everyone can benefit from a little technology training.

Covering the basics
“This is an entry-level thing,” Kopperud says of his one-on-one lessons. “If you use a computer, there’s a big difference between a single click, a double click,  and two single clicks.”

From using a mouse to going online, Kopperud covers the basics in a way that even the most inexperienced computer user can understand. And since Kopperud teaches just one person at a time, he can tailor the lesson. Currently, he’s teaching new residents about Touchtown, Monarch Landing’s Internet portal where community members can check everything from restaurant menus to upcoming events, all from the comfort of their home computers or the Monarch Landing lab.

“There are some significant benefits from the Touchtown website,” Kopperud says. “I teach residents how to use e-mail and I teach them how to see what activities are available.”

Keeping connected
Studies show the number of computer-savvy retired adults like Kopperud and his Monarch Landing students is on the rise. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 22 percent of Americans age 65 or older use the Internet—roughly eight million people.