Ohlone College professors and students say they are looking forward to offering larger computer classes for senior citizens when city officials re-open the Newark Senior Center in 2011.

The senior center closed last January due to city budget woes, but in the meantime, professors and staff members have been offering affordable technology-based classes at the Silliman Activity Center.

Ohlone College started its partnership with the Newark Senior Center in February 2009, to help meet a need for technological education for seniors, said Rick Arellano, an Ohlone Colege professor who teaches Computer Applications and Occupational Technology, or CAOT.

The four-week classes include introduction to computers and technology gadgets courses taught by Ohlone professors and student volunteers. In the past, students paid just $9 per session, but it could increase to $27 in 2011, when the introductory classes are set to again be offered in February and March.

When the partnership first formed in 2009, the courses were taught at the Newark Senior Center on Enterprise Drive. There were approximately 15 students per class.

Newark city officials said budget cuts forced them to cut back services in several city programs, including the senior center.

"The senior center closed at the end of January of this year," said Kelly Hess, Recreation Coordinator for the Newark Senior Center.

Hess and her staff helped move senior classes to the Silliman Activity & Family Aquatic Center, 6800 Mowry Ave.

"We are using the teen center Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM… It is a shared space," Hess said.

Because the activity center classrooms can accommodate only six or seven people per class, fewer seniors have a chance to learn how to use new technologies, says Arellano.

Along with the new location and budget cuts, came staff cuts, Hess said, but volunteers have stepped up to help.

Hess and crew may be preparing for another move in 2011 thanks to the Utility Users Tax known as Measure U. Newark voters approved the measure in November.

Hess says some of the money from the tax will be used to re-open the Newark Senior Center at its former location on 7401 Enterprise Drive.

In addition to teaching basic computer skills like Internet surfing and email, the classes also incorporate new technologies based on what students want to learn about and what resources are available to them.

Ohlone College has taught social networking and Skype in the past as well as how to use an iPad, iPhone and Flip camera, Arellano said.

Hess feels teaching the students how to use these gadgets helps open up their communication with their families, especially because many have family members who live far away.

"[Students] love the classes," Hess said. "They love the fact that their knowledge is getting expanded to areas they were not comfortable looking in to."

The courses were originally only offered to senior citizens, but after the classes moved to the teen center at the Silliman Activity & Family Aquatic Center, they opened up to anyone over the age of 18, Hess said.

Despite the change in age requirement, the class is still primarily attended by senior citizens, Hess said.

"[The classes are important because] we are reaching the older population… and we are offering classes that are very relevant," Arellano said.

"[The classes] are important because [technology] is part of our world now and it is going to continue to grow. [The students] are becoming educated and broadened in their knowledge," Hess said, adding that being able to access travel and medical information online was important to many seniors.

Senior Services at Silliman offers technology classes outside of those taught by Ohlone professors and students as well.

Computer Basics I, Computer Basics II and Digital imaging are also taught at the center, Hess said.

The Digital Imaging class, which teaches students how to download photos, upload them to Facebook, print them, create collages and use applications like Shutterfly and Snapfish, is very popular, Hess said.

The senior center also works with Quest students from Irvington High School. The students teach seniors how to use new technologies as a part of their community service.

"We have some cell phone classes where teens come in and show seniors how to use cell phones," Hess said.

Hess said she believes these classes are beneficial for both the seniors and the high school students, who learn how to be patient and teach others something new.

The senior center also offers classes such as guitar, ceramics and Spanish.  

Every semester a catalog is sent out with information about all of the courses offered at the center, including the technology classes taught by Ohlone professors and student volunteers.

Click here for information about how to sign up for classes.