Probably all of us have heard that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

In some cases, that may be true. But more and more those considered "over the hill" do learn new tricks. In some cases, they do it by going back to school.

A few years ago, I was the graduation speaker when a large class of students got their GEDs - Graduation Equivalent Diplomas. All worked in a carpet mill that offered the classes free of charge as one of the benefits they provided their employees.

The age of the graduates ranged from those who appeared to have been recent high school dropouts to those who could have retired to their rocking chairs.

One graduate appeared to be well into her 70s. She had the demeanor of a mountain woman. With her academic cap and gown, she was wearing white tennis shoes. None of the graduates seemed to be as excited as she was when she practically trotted across the stage to get her diploma.

Immediately, she became an audience favorite. They and her classmates gave her a well-deserved standing ovation. While everyone was applauding and cheering, she smiled from ear to ear.

For my birthday last March, I got a new computer. My son, John, and his friend, Will Carlan, set it up for me. I decided it was time for me to go back to school. I spend a lot of time sitting in front of my computer. One way or another, I do most of the things I want to do including writing this column each week.

Thankfully, I took two years of typing classes when I was in high school. Hence, I do not have to use the "hunt-and-peck" method. But there are many buttons, keys or whatever you call them on a computer that I have no idea what they do - F1, PrtScnSysRq, F12, etc. They were definitely not on my Underwood typewriter at Sparta High School.

My children taught me most of the things I know about using a computer. When I would get to something I did not know how to do, I would call one of them. I still do. They talk me through it. An important thing they taught me was that many problems are solved by unplugging the computer, waiting a few minutes and starting it up again.

A few weeks ago, I called Chattahoochee Technical College. As you may know, they have locations at Jasper and Woodstock. I asked about their computer course offerings and registered for the beginning course.

I felt sure I could already do most of the things that would be taught in a beginning class, but I might not be doing them the right way. Plus, taking an easy course first would built up my confidence before I tackled the harder ones.

Like anyone would, I asked about the teacher. His name is Josh Jordan. The receptionist described him as "awesome." She was right. Josh does not assume that his students know anything about computers. He starts at the beginning, goes slow, welcomes questions and does not try to impress us with big, technological words. In other words, his feet are planted firmly on the ground in computer land.

On the first night, I was surprised to see that there were only four students in the class. All were glad we were in a small class. That is a big benefit. We discussed our reasons for taking the course.

Two middle-aged ladies had applied for jobs they wanted or needed. They were not hired because they did not have the computer skills required. Wisely, they want to learn how to use them to be ready for when they have that opportunity again.

Another, obviously retired, had been technology savvy earlier in his life, but now he thinks he has fallen behind. Then, there was me. I have some computer skills, but I know that is much more for me to learn.

The course is named "Introduction to Computers," and it is exactly that. Josh began with the first thing to do. We turned our computers on and off several times. That was a breeze for me.

But in a short time I became "an old dog learning new tricks." While I appreciate all Cindy, Joel and John have taught me to do - mainly on the telephone - being in a class with a teacher and an organized plan is much better.

After an hour I was learning things I wanted and needed to know. Some of them Josh called "clicky things." Soon we were left clicking, right clicking, and double clicking. Before taking the class, I just did all kinds of clicking until something worked.

As just one example, I learned that clicking on the little house symbol - on the computer they are called icons - takes you back to your home page. That is what you see when you first turn your computer on. I should have figured that one out myself.

Now I am as excited as the lady was at the GED graduation when I was the speaker years ago. When I finish this course, I plan to take more.

Thankfully, we have computer gurus and geek squads in our midst. I know I will not become one of them. I am just learning how to use computers. When something goes wrong with mine, I will do what I have done for years - call Kevin Phyfe. He is a computer guru, and if it can be fixed, he will do it every time.

Marguerite Cline is former mayor of Waleska.