Technology Is a Door to a Better Life After 60. Here’s how to Open it!
When I got divorced, I bought my first power drill. I actually cried when I left the DIY store, realizing all the things that I would now have to do for myself. It was time to start depending on myself. The same was true when it came to my computer. For years, I had relied on other people to handle technical tasks. If there was a problem with my computer, my “troubleshooting” consisted of turning it off and on again, tapping it on the top, closing any open programs, and finally calling my husband to help. Something had to change.
If you are just getting started online and want to know how to use your computer, there are plenty of online courses and also free videos on YouTube. All you need to do it type in what you are looking for and plenty of options will appear. There are beginner courses if you are just starting out and want to figure out how to use your computer. There are also courses where you can learn how to start a business, learn to edit photos and videos, design and publish e-books, or improve your Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) skills.
Read more: 10 Life Hacks to Demystify Technology for Women Over 60.
Online Platforms to Learn New Skills
This is a list of some of the well-known online learning websites where you can take technology courses. From beginner basic skills to advanced coding, there’s a course for every level.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Lynda.com was a pioneer in online learning and has now become LinkedIn Learning. It is an online platform with thousands of video courses taught by experts in their respective fields. It covers everything from computer basics like email and Microsoft Office to advanced subjects such as programming and digital marketing. Because it’s connected to LinkedIn, you can add course certificates directly to your profile, which makes it useful for both personal growth and professional development.
The platform works on a subscription model, giving unlimited access to its entire library. You can learn at your own pace, pause, and replay lessons as you wish. Many courses include practice files and short quizzes to make learning easier.
Key benefits:
- Large library with beginner to advanced topics
- High-quality, easy-to-follow lessons
- Certificates to share on LinkedIn or download
- Flexible, self-paced learning
- Sometimes free through libraries or schools
Computer courses to look into:
Coursera
Coursera is another well-known online learning platform that works with top universities and companies to offer courses, certificates, and even full degree programs. It covers a wide range of subjects, including computer literacy. Many courses are taught by professors from schools like Stanford, Yale, and Duke, or by experts from Google and IBM.
You can start most courses for free, and if you want a certificate of completion, there’s usually a fee. You can watch short video lectures, read materials, and complete quizzes at your own pace.
Key benefits:
- Wide variety of beginner to advanced tech and computer courses
- Taught by top universities and companies
- Free (pay only if you want a certificate)
- Flexible with self-paced video lessons
- Recognized certificates and career-focused programs
Courses for beginners:
- Introduction to Computers
- Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
- Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems and Security
UDemy
Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms with thousands of affordable courses on technology, computers, and everyday skills. Unlike subscription models, you usually buy individual courses and get lifetime access. You can return to them anytime you want. Topics range from very basic computer skills and Microsoft Office to advanced programming and web development.
Courses are created by independent instructors, so quality can vary. But there are student reviews and previews to help you choose. Lessons are broken into short videos, often with tests and downloadable resources. Udemy often runs big discounts, making courses very inexpensive.
Key benefits:
- Huge variety of tech and computer topics for all levels
- Lifetime access to purchased courses
- Affordable, with frequent sales and discounts
- Short, easy-to-follow video lessons
- Student reviews help you pick the right course for you
Computer basics courses:
- Computer Basics for Beginners: Understanding Computer Basics
- The Complete Computer Basics Guide for Beginners: 2025
- Computer Basics – A Beginners Guide to the Computer
YouTube Tutorials to Learn Computer Skills
YouTube is a great place to find tutorials and how-to videos from independent creators. Create a free YouTube account so you can save videos and add subscriptions to your list.
YouTube Channels to Learn Technology
Here are a few YouTube channels I found that are geared towards the complete beginner.
Tips for Watching YouTube Tutorial Videos
- Go at your own pace. Pause and rewatch if you need to.
- Use the playback speed. You can slow down the videos 0.75X or 0.50X if you feel that the pace is too fast or the instructor is speaking too fast.
- Use the closed-captioned feature. The subtitles can be helpful if the sound quality is not good.
- Subscribe to your favorite channels so that you can see when they release new videos.
Of course, I would be lying if I said that becoming more technical was easy for me. It wasn’t. But, one of the wonderful things about being alive today is that the tools for learning new skills have become super easy to use.
Being 60 doesn’t have to be a time of isolation. In fact, with tools like the online learning platforms that I mentioned, our generation has the potential to stay connected in ways that our parents only dreamed of.
So, if, like me, you want to take advantage of the latest technologies and not be reliant others for help (or even earn a little extra cash), give online learning a shot.
Read more: 2025 Tech Trends – Navigating the Digital World.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are you beginning to open up to technology? What do you think makes you hesitant to learn new things? Will you try one of the learning platforms I mentioned in the article? I would love to hear your story about learning new technologies in your 60s and beyond. Tell us about it in the comments below.
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