Computer Classes at the ACL - By Jesse

We've mentioned in previous blog entries that the ACL offers a wide variety of classes and activities on weekday afternoons. It's here where participants can learn valuable things, ranging from the everyday like reading and cooking, to creative outlets such as photography and acting. The ACL recently hosted a computer class on how to effectively use email.

After finishing class before and taking a break for some pizza, students each chose a computer station. They first learned how to log into their accounts then had time to read messages in their inboxes. Assisting the process is a volunteer group called SeniorNet, which is an organization working out of Longmont that teaches computer skills to adults. The volunteers take time away from their usual work schedules in order to provide one-on-one teaching to students at the ACL. This personalized teaching is extremely important since students are all at different skill levels with different needs.

Perhaps the most striking thing about students is their endless desire to learn more. For example, one student, Gabriele, carefully read every email he received despite having some trouble seeing the words on the screen. Students who mastered email then moved on to utilizing the computer in other ways. At one point, another student, Kelli, showed off her art she has up for sale on an online market, and explained that she donates some of the money from sales to a Colorado organization that helps those who have autism.

Once the students finished reading and respong to emails, they practiced sending messages to their friends, families, and each other. By the end of the 2-hour class, each student had made remarkable progress. The students had learned not only applied skills of computer use and email, but also brushed up on their fundamental skills of reading and typing, which are lifelong skills.

If you are interested in coming to a computer class (or any of our classes and activities), check out the monthly schedule (available on the ACL website) and let us know you would like to attend. Each class covers a different topic, so stay on the lookout for brand new classes!