Eden Prairie seniors, local business team up for computer class BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Ken Anderson calls himself a facilitator, not an instructor. But no matter the term used, he is the point man for a monthly Computer Cracker Barrel group at the Eden Prairie Library. The group meets from 9:30-11 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month. “The Eden Prairie Senior Center does not offer computer classes on our own,” said Sue Bohnsack, recreation supervisor for the city. “We partner with Community Education because they have the computer lab and the teachers to do those classes.” Anderson, who worked as a manufacturer’s representative before he retired, said, “I got to know about computers in the marketplace. I had accounts in Minot, Rapid City and Milwaukee and the computer sped things up. I had to learn by default.” In computer classes he attended years ago, Anderson said, “I learned something every time.” Now, he’s sharing his knowledge with his peers. He sends out email notifications about the Cracker Barrel group to about 35 people each month. Some months only two or three people show up. Other times, it’s four or five people, or as many as 15. “Most of them learn how to do
something on the computer by doing it three or four times,” Anderson said. “A lady who has kids all over the country wanted to send and receive pictures, and she didn’t know how to do it. I could help her with that. Or, I can help someone send an email to themselves, something many didn’t know they could do.” Anderson finds the work very satisfying, particularly when someone he’s helping rewards him with a big smile. “Some people come every month and friendships develop,” Anderson said. “You get to know the people and they talk about their families. It’s been fun.” He is quick to credit a unique partnership the Senior Center has with C.H. Robinson Co., a local business. For many years, the company has generously supplied a technology instructor for each of the monthly classes for seniors. The current helper is Caleb Johnson, a programmer analyst at C.H. Robinson. “We go over general topics,” Johnson said. “People come in with any problems or questions they have. Lately, Windows XP is a big topic. And people want to know what computers to buy. Some are wary of how to use a new operating system, or they need email and GROUP - TO PAGE 6
Ken Anderson is the point person for the monthly Computer Cracker Barrel group at the Eden Prairie Library, which works with seniors. The group has benefitted through a partnership with representatives from C.H. Robinson, which provides instructors. (Sun staff photo by Joseph Palmersheim)