Computer Basics Class

Dwight Evans Library of West Oak Lane is hosting a Computer Basics Class this November, a four-week series that meets every Tuesday afternoon. It kicks off on November 3 and runs through November 24, with each session lasting an hour. The class is aimed at adults and seniors, and space is limited, so it's the kind of thing you'll want to sign up for sooner rather than later.

The curriculum covers the fundamentals of getting around a computer. You'll start with file management—how to organize your documents and find things when you need them—and move into essential applications like Word and the Internet. From there, it gets into digital safety, which is a big one these days, and the basics of using the Cloud. It's a broad sweep of the things that make a computer actually useful for day-to-day life, rather than just a machine you're afraid to click the wrong button on.

One thing to keep in mind: some keyboarding skills are helpful, but they aren't required. You don't need to be a fast typist to get out of this with something useful. The class is held in the library's Computer Lab, so you'll be working right there on the machines. The sessions run from 1 PM to 2 PM on November 3, 10, 17, and 24, though there's one schedule shift to watch for—on November 10, the class meets earlier, at 11:30 AM. After that, it's back to the 1 PM slot for the final two weeks.

If you're looking to get more comfortable with the basics, this is a low-pressure way to do it. You can find the library at 2000 East Washington Lane in Philadelphia, PA 19138.