Quite a few years ago, when my son had started school here in Windham, I decided to be the best parent I could meant “talking his language” and getting caught up on what was new in the schools. Over the years, I had seen many changes, especially in English, and lots of new words had been added to the dictionary. And there was “technology” to deal with. Computers weren’t as common as they are now, but I figured I’d need to be savvy when the homework assignments appeared at the kitchen table.

I signed up in the Adult Education classes that year, for English grammar and something like Introduction to Computers. In the English class, I received a grammar book, eerily similar to the one I had hated in high school. And grammar hadn’t changed that much, I discovered. It was boring when it was required for graduation – and it seemed as boring still. When I flipped through the book and saw the same instructions for diagramming sentences, I decided to take my chances with the English homework. I figured my son was ahead of the game anyway, since he had learned to read by age 5.

The computer class was held at the junior high school, I remember. A whole room of people who didn’t have a clue about a computer – or a keyboard – listened while a young computer-savvy teacher talked about keyboard, screens, mouse, cursor and other mysterious terms. I was the only one who had learned to type, and had been earning a living doing it for decades.

A few years later, after using electric typewriters, then electronic typewriters with some technological niceties like automatic erasing, computers made their way to the office where I worked. From then on, it’s been as much a necessity as a phone, clock or light switch.

If you’re a senior who hasn’t yet learned how to use a computer or become hooked up to email and the wonders of the Internet, then I urge you to take advantage of the class offered in your local adult education program or other venues. Believe me, you don’t need to know how to type. Or as it’s called today, keyboarding.

A workshop for computer beginners will be held at Portland Public Library on Friday, Dec. 15 from 1-4 p.m. There are only 15 spaces available and pre-registration is needed. Sign up at the library’s Public Computing desk or call 871-1700, ext. 708.

You hear a lot about Facebook – it’s a place on the web where you and others can exchange news, swap photographs and more. It’s not the same as talking, but instead of making a costly long-distance phone call, you can use Facebook.

The Portland Public Library is also offering a “Facebook for Seniors” course for three weeks in January – Tuesdays, Jan. 10, 17 and 24 from 1-4 p.m. The program was offered at the Bangor Public Library and there are more than 50 seniors on the waiting list, so it’s no doubt something folks have been waiting for. The course will cover how to set up a Facebook account, privacy settings and much more. Call 872-1700 for more information.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.