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Facebook, the Internet and downloading music are not just for the young anymore. They're for the young at heart as well.
Dan Tressler of Easton has been passing along his technology skills for 10 years in classes at the Easton Senior Center. He teaches courses in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and photo editing to residents of all ages and skill levels.
"I think for an older person who has heard about computers and technology, but has been afraid to dive into that world, I think it's important for them to just use that part of their brain and stay on top of something new," said Tressler, who is largely self-taught.
"Anytime I would have a problem with a computer, I would just troubleshoot and figure out what was going on," he said. "It got to the point where I felt like I could fix any problem."
An experienced Adobe Photoshop user at age 14, the Joel Barlow High School graduate excelled in his computer classes and took courses geared toward computers in college, before becoming a teaching assistant.
Tressler also taught music on the side, which helped steer him toward sharing his knowledge with others. "I was really comfortable with having a course guideline to follow that I made up myself, something that I figured would help the students learn best," he said.
His students at the senior center mostly want to learn how to use the Internet. Tressler shows them how to navigate common Web sites and find maps, telephone books and news.
"It's the first thing that everybody wants to do because the Internet is so intriguing to everybody," he said, "especially people who have heard about it for years and they're in their 60s and they've never experienced [it]."
To sign up for classes, call the senior center at (203) 268-1145. All ages are welcome.
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