There are many people today who are not familiar with Internet basic skills. Although the Internet has been available for everyday use for over 25 years, this technological advancement is still foreign to a lot of adults. The Internet is a dynamic means of communicating, shopping, and socializing today.
The Internet can been intimidating and foreign to those who are not familiar with the way the system works. This is why many of today’s adults avoid computers and anything to do with the Internet, because it is new world all unto itself.
Learning the language, how to access the Internet, how to tell the good from the bad, and many other attributes of the Internet is comparable to learning a foreign language to many adults.
Continuing Education for Developing Internet Skills
The Internet is not something that can be easily avoided today. There are many benefits to using the Internet for adults and unfortunately some negative aspects as well. This is when learning basic Internet skills through community education programs are very helpful. These continuing education programs are available in most communities and typically include:
- Computer Fundamentals – Basic which typically focuses on navigating your way around the basic functions of a computer
- Computer Fundamentals – Advanced which typically focuses on using basic computer programs such as word processing and more
- Internet Fundamentals – Basic which typically focuses on Internet safety and setting a free e-mail account, along with attaching photos and documents to e-mails
- Internet Fundamentals – Level 2 which typically includes searching the Internet for visiting social networks, shopping, online maps, specific information, and more topics
Advanced Continuing Education Internet Skills
This level of continuing education for adults includes how to use the resources of the Internet for reinforcing Internet fundamentals learned in previous programs, along with new skills. These advanced fundamental Internet skills courses teach adults how to:
- Use the online features of a bank to monitor an account and pay bills
- Use the Internet to enroll in continuing education courses and the technological aspects of an online course
- Develop and design webpages
- Blog, along with how to develop and design a blog
- Develop a YouTube, FaceBook, or MySpace social network account
- Uploading videos, pictures, and documents to a webpage, blog, or social network
Benefits of Internet Continuing Education for Lifelong Learners
The benefits for adults who choose to take continuing education Internet skills courses are numerous. Besides learning something new, some benefits include:
- Having access to information that for younger people is common knowledge
- The ability to instantly find information for planning vacations
- The ability to compare products and services without the need to visit several stores or businesses
- Developing social networks for families to keep in touch with each other
- Starting an online hobby using a blog to share their knowledge about careers and life experiences with others
- Developing relationships with others they would normally never meet
- Keeping the mind active and involved as a lifelong learner
Learning Internet skills through continuing education is open to all adults, regardless of age. In fact many seniors are enrolling in these courses and programs to learn about the Internet and how to take advantage of this technology.
Typically Internet skills courses are offered through community education programs as non-credit classes, which usually charge a minimal fee to cover costs. Also, senior adults are generally offered a discount for enrolling.
Additional information about community education programs can be found by visiting Community Education for Lifelong Learners. One thing to remember regarding learning Internet skills, it is never too late.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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