Blogging is often thought of as a 20-something pastime. After all, isn’t it only the young who have the Internet know-how to post thoughts and photos onto a web log?

The answer is no, according to SeniorNet Learning Centers, a non-profit organization that believes whippersnappers don’t have the market cornered on all things computer-related. Aimed at those 50 and older, its courses include everything from the basics, such as computer fundamentals and word processing, to advanced classes on genealogy, tax preparation and yes, even building a blog. And one of its 220 nationwide learning centers is conveniently located in our neighborhood at C.C. Young Retirement Center.

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SeniorNet of Dallas instructors believe it’s not aptitude but fear that keeps most seniors from learning how to use computers.

“I think the main thing is not to be intimidated by computers. I tell them that we didn’t have it in schools, nobody did,” says Beverly Patterson, SeniorNet instructor and education coordinator. “If you’re over 40 you didn’t have computers in class, so you’ve got to keep up with things.”

The classrooms are equipped with seven computers for students and one computer for the instructor, whose monitor can be viewed by the students on a projector system. It’s a relaxed setting with plenty of help from the teachers – who just happen to be seniors, too.

“We think we really have a plus because it is seniors teaching seniors,” Patterson says. “Each class has one instructor and two coaches, so it’s not one-on-one, but it’s a whole lot of help that you don’t get anywhere else. And I think that being able to look across and see the person sitting next to you is also a senior or your instructor is a senior is very encouraging.”

Ken Patterson, another class instructor and vice president of administration, enjoys teaching seniors and believes they have an incentive for wanting to return.

“It’s such a close-knit organization that after awhile, it becomes a social affair,” he says. “So they make good friends, have a place to go and see each other, and usually if they take one class, they’ll be back for another.”

One thing that makes SeniorNet of Dallas stand out from its fellow learning centers is its affiliation with C.C. Young, which provides SeniorNet with classroom and office space.

“It’s good for both of us,” Beverly Patterson says. “With us being here, C.C. Young doesn’t have to provide computer lessons to their seniors, and with us bringing people from the community, they become familiar with C.C. Young. It’s sort of a two-way street.”

Everyone who works for SeniorNet of Dallas is a volunteer, and sometimes they are former students.

“If someone is taking the classes, we can usually tell if they’re being very helpful to the people next to them or know a little more, so we call and ask them if they want to coach, and a lot of them do,” Ken Patterson says.