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Who said that grandparents can't use the Internet effectively?

English, math, driving improvement, pottery courses and the list goes on regarding the numerous courses offered at our local community college.

While many classes are offered to college students are still several others that the general public may be interested in signing to take. For example,

while I have had the priviledge of teaching numerous academically credited courses it was now time to create a blend.

It Saturday morning and the first day of non-credited class. This was not just your typical college class as the youngest person attending may have been approximately 62 years old. Arriving earlier as the instructor I carefully unpacked my course materials. The pencils, pads, syllabus, information packets, handouts, and extra paper for those who needed it.

The classroom was in a newer building. The sound of birds cripping could be heard from the window area. This created such as calming effect that was complimented with the reflection of the strong sunrays pentrating through the huge tinted windows. Beyond the window seal you could see the beautiful greeny of nature consisting of grass, trees, hills, and the lining of mulitied colored fresh flowers.

As I started to turn on each of the room full of newly installed computers the aroma of newness rerked throughout the enormous classroom. Quickly,

I completed this task. The necessity to take a moment to meditate prior to the arrival of the students emerged.

Mary shared with the class her nervousness about taking this class. Indicating that while she was driving almost convinced herself to turn around and go back home. Commending her for her bravery with showing up for class she seemed to acquire a sense of belonging. "I just purchased a brand new computer that I paid over $2,800.00. So, this class is important to me because I want to email my grandchildren" she said.

This comment tended to create a type of contigious reaction as each of my students begun to share their heart felt comparisons of having made similiar computer purchases and all for a very similiar cause. Yet, the truthful moment of badly needed a course such as this one (Computers for Seniors) was just about to manifest itself into reality.

"I would like for each of to open the Internet right clicking on your mouse. The Internet browser is the blue letter "e" symbol displayed on your computer desktop" I said. Why were some of these seniors all of a sudden looking under the computer tables? Surely, it could not be due to the reason that I was assuming. Ironically, it was.

"What is a mouse?" Jerry shouted out. "I'm looking on the floor, but there is no mouse under my table" said Evelyn. At this point all that I could think of was "assume nothing". I had my work cut out for me in this class of some 20 plus students.

However, I could only appreciate their tenacity. Just think, every other invention in history you could purchase and tinker around with it until it worked.

The VCR, answering machines, microwaves, hair dryers, etc. But what was the secret regarding this new expensive computer invention? Why was a class an absolute necessity? These students wanted to know and at all cost! Why? Because they wanted to stay in close contact with their grandchildren, daughters, sons and other family members who lived far away. And while this was a technology. It was going to take more than a mouse to hold them back.

Their will power caused me to instantly shift my teaching mode for this group. I was going to have to start from square one and move from person to person quickly, yet patiently. Could my geratols handle this call?