To schedule a class, call
435-797-WOW1
That's 435-797-9691
(5/10/99)
We've all heard how the average 6th grader can work 'circles' around most
adults when it comes to computers.
But as News Specialist Scott Light found out, the grandparents to all
those 6th graders are beginning to catch up.
It's definitely not the rowdiest group of students you'll meet. These people
are serious.
There's the heavy-duty thinker in class...
The familiar 'hmm..this isn't quite working yet'.
Or remember this.. the teacher having to come over and help sometimes.
"Can anyone tell me what the internet is?" the teacher asks.
Senior citizens are going back to class to learn the internet, and the looks
say it all.
From one touch of a button, one gigantic mix of yeah!.. maybe! Or is this
thing working at all?
Actually, telecommunications companies think these seniors may be the next
big customer base on the internet.
The class filled up early and there was a line out the door.
Irene Witmer uses the internet to keep in touch with her son in Russia
and grandkids in Washington state.
"Oh, I love it," she says. "But you know you get breakdowns and crashes and so
on."
Janice Knickrehm says she's a 'hip' internet user.
"More than I've ever been? I'm not sure about that because I've always
considered myself to be pretty hip.
But it does keep you in touch and it does keep you informed," she says.
The classes are free from U-S West.
The company has teamed up with Utah State University to teach senior citizen
internet classes in every Utah community that U-S West serves.
Instructor Brian Armstrong says, "It's satisfying in knowing that after they've
left, they've gone away feeling good like 'Oh, I can do that now.'"
And that's probably the best expression of all.
A smile and that look of 'Yeah, I think I got it all figured out.'
Again, the classes are free to community organizations.
If you'd like to schedule a class, call
435-797-WOW1
That's 435-797-9691
