Carroll County Times Articles
No Age Limits on Computers
by Linda Nestor – January 17, 2008
The complaint often comes with a sheepish smile and a slight moan in the voice.
"I'm too old to learn how to use a computer." The speaker sees no way to manage today's technology.
The technological changes of the last decade have left many people feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Computers are everywhere and are doing incredible things. The amount of information to be learned makes climbing Mount Everest look like a gentle stroll in the park. For those of us who were not born with a cell phone in our hand, understanding computers can seem impossible.
The good news is that old dogs can, and do, learn new tricks. No one is ever too old or too inexperienced to begin to enjoy using technology. As a computer instructor, I explain to students in class that Rule Number One is that the computer is the one that lacks intelligence, not the student. Once a student takes that rule to heart, there is no limit to the `tricks' that they can learn.
We all know that children tend to be able to pick up computer skills easily. Their curiosity is much stronger than their fear. It helps that children have no real concept of how much a computer costs and are not afraid of breaking it. Even children too young to read are able to turn a computer on and play simple games on it.
The challenge for adults attempting to learn computer skills is that adult learners truly `know' too much. Adults understand how expensive and troublesome computer equipment can be. They remember the panicked news reports about the horrible things that might happen because of Y2K problems. They have heard the moans and cursing from people who have had their computers crash. Yet what many often overlook is that they don't have to be a computer expert to be able to use a computer.
Just as most adults are able to drive a car competently, they can also learn how to use a computer competently. How many people actually know what the catalytic converter on a car looks like, much less what it actually does? Does that lack of knowledge keep them from driving the vehicle? Computers are no different. A computer operator does not need to know how to program or repair a computer in order to go shopping on the Internet or use a word processing program. Just as drivers do not need to know how to change their oil, and can rely on a mechanic for service, computer users only need to know the programs that they want to use, and can rely on computer technicians for service. Anyone can become competent with the basics of `driving' a computer.
While teaching, one of my most memorable students is a man who celebrated his 88th birthday while taking an Introduction to Computers class at Carroll Community College, and has since gone on to take several additional computer courses. It turns out that "too old" is just a myth. There is no age limit on computers.
About the Author
Linda Nestor is an adjunct instructor and project developer at Carroll Community College. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education.
Questions are welcome and may be addressed in future articles. Email mail@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org to learn more.
