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Retired IU professor starts new classes

Robert Blakely, 86, is a former geophysics professor at IU. He currently is a resident of Meadowood Retirement Community.

Senior Adult CyberNet at Bloomington Adult Community Center offers opportunities

Who: Any adults 50 yrs & up interested about learning more about the Internet

What: Senior CyberNet

Where: Bloomington Adult Community Center: 349 S. Walnut St.

When: For more information, call 812-336-3094

Why: Volunteers of all ages offer computer classes, workshops, drop-in help, online technical support and tutoring. Topics include ranging from Introductions to Computers, Internet Basics, E-mail, Beginning and Advanced Word Processing, Fun and Profit with Spreadsheets, Beginning Web site Construction, Buying and Installing a Computer, Basic Computer Maintenance, Buying and Selling on Ebay Auction Site, Internet Privacy and Travel Planning on the Internet.

How: For more information, contact the center 812-336-3094

Source: Bloomington Adult Community Center Web site.

Retired for 20 years, Blakely has made an effort to remain active. Within the past year Blakely has began teaching computer classes offered to the residents at Meadowood.

Using his skills he developed during his 37 years of teaching, Blakely teaches “informal” classes in Microsoft Word and Excel in addition to E-mail and Internet classes.

In his classes he teaches his students, other Meadowood residents, the basics of computer use. Blakely is most often asked to learn two computer techniques. The first, learning how turn the computer on in addition to learning how to use the Internet to send an e-mail.

Blakely’s classes are Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and have between five to 10 students.

A reporter's journey

Photo by Katie Davis

Writing a story about senior citizens and computer use gave me insight into an interesting trend that is developing within America. As I began to research, I quickly learned that the city of Bloomington has amazing facilities and instructors available.

While researching I enjoyed learning personal stories about how instructors were able to help their adult students learn e-mail skills that allowed them to communicate long distance with family and friends more often. When teaching, it’s amazing how effective a combination of patience and repetition can be.

I was amazed to learn that regardless of one’s occupation and education prior to retirement, most senior citizens still have a level of fear when using the computer. Learning about progress made after the initial fear was removed was even more fascinating.

Furthermore, I was reminded time and time again that senior citizen and the increase in using computer use is in fact a trend, something a large amount of people participate in. For most senior citizens to be able to use the computer made their life more fulfilling, while others were just as content sitting at a table talking and playing cards.

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