Jones’ Computer Helpers helps seniors with computer, technology
DAN JONES
As owner of Computer Helpers, he’s built a reputation for his business.
Dan Jones can also teach.
Computers.
He also has a knack, a sort of sixth sense, if you will, when it comes to taking his knowledge of computers and passing it on to senior citizens in classrooms.
“Senior citizens want to know everything (about computers),” he said. “You have to feed it to them slowly so you don’t overwhelm them to begin with.”
Jones was teaching computer classes through Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Education (ORICLE) in partnership with the Roane State Community College Oak Ridge campus.
But, as the story has so often been in 2020, COVID-19 and a pandemic shut those classes down.
“ORICLE offered more than 80 classes for seniors,” he said. “Everything from estate planning to personal finances to, well … Computers. All for seniors and all taught by volunteers.”
While Jones may not be able to teach you how to plan your estate, he can teach you how to operate a computer.
“Sometimes a senior is just afraid. You know, people resist change. That’s our nature,” he continued. “But I point out things they are used to: Cars, stereos, things like that. It allows me to show them how a computer is like their record player, or what have you.
“I sit down with them and talk with them, not like you would talk to a kid, but as adults on a level they can understand.”
He takes the time to show how a computer hard drive is like the essential part of your car, or your stereo.
Seniors, Jones said, have really grown as computer consumers. Seniors are using computers more and more because that’s the easiest and safest way for them to keep up with the events in their lives.
He said the pandemic has driven many seniors to turn to computers for things like church services and for keeping in touch with family.
He noted Computer Helpers used to get maybe two or three new clients a month, but during the pandemic he’s been getting three or four new customers a week.
Jones started teaching classes at the Holiday Inn in Oak Ridge. It was not the best scenario, but it was working.
Then Bet Paul of Roane State Community College talked him into teaching classes with ORICLE.
“It’s a very good investment for me,” he said. “I like helping people.”
Jones said his classes are designed for everyone from beginners to those who are proficient with computers.
“Everybody has different levels,” he said. “But even those who are
proficient with computers can learn a lot in these classes.”
He doesn’t teach specific operations — you’ll not learn how to master Word or Photoshop from him.
“I point them to resources where they can learn about the operating systems themselves,” he said.
For specific operations, especially social media, he has others step in and take over.
“I know computers, but I don’t know social media,” he laughed.
His skill set is taking individuals step-by-step in a one-on-one environment and making
them proficient with their computers in six weeks.
He also does house calls through Computer Helpers and makes trips to nursing and assisted living homes to give courses.
Jones teaches Windows 10 and he also shows the importance of backing up files — another thing he teaches in class.
“There are two kinds of hard drives — those that work and those that don’t,” he said. “I teach them how to back up their files because if their hard drive dies then they’ve lost everything.”
Jones is pretty efficient as a teacher, so much so that he was voted as teacher of the year at ORICLE.
“If my old school teachers could see that …” he laughed.
He said plans are to resume classes at ORICLE in the spring.
There will be a computer class, but he said plans are to add a computer security class, an e-mail class, as well as a course in backing up computer files.