Computer Lessons for Seniors

Computer Lessons for Seniors Computer Lessons for Seniors: Does it Compute? ChaptersWhat the Best Computer Classes DeliverTake Private Tutorials to Learn about ITIT Tutorials for Keeping in ContactFree Computer Courses and Lessons on the Web!IT Courses OnlineOther Resources for Seniors wanting to Learn about ITIn the last five years, older age groups have increasingly started using the internet. However, with over 4 million over-65s in the UK having never used the internet, the majority of senior citizens lack the basic computer skills that are commonplace in the modern age.While it’s the one of the most important things of the 21st century, the internet is largely (and wrongly) considered a young person’s tool. It can be very difficult to encourage the older generations to learn basic computer skills and even harder to teach them to become IT technicians through  IT courses.  This mindset has resulted in many brands and developers largely ignoring older potential customers because they believe they lack digital literacy.While mobility can be an issue in the real world, it’s almost non-existent on the web once you've learnt the internet basics. After you take a few computer classes and learn how to use a mouse and keyboard, you'll find that staying in contact with family members has never been so easy. You can even order your groceries online and have them all delivered to your home with just a few clicks of the mouse. Let’s not forget that there are also apps to keep your brain active.Some members of the older generation remain reluctant to take IT tutorials and learn more about computers in general in part because they can’t really see the benefits immediately.Superprof now explains other reasons for seniors' reluctance to take on the keyboard has some advice for those who’d like to learn some computer basics in a fun and enjoyable way!And they didn’t predict those giants of social media by name but the implication was clear in the text that people would become more isolated, the more information technology became avail able to the mainstream public.Thus, when proposing computer classes for seniors, one must remember the massive changes in the workplace and in social values they’ve seen during their lifetime.Think about this: gossiping at the backyard fence was an act to be scorned and any nugget of information learned at that proverbial fence was usually met with derision and disbelief.These days, we must constantly debate what is real news â€" news with actual value, especially seeing as news travels so very fast thanks to our personal communications devices.Another aspect of the culture in days gone by that has met its demise: keeping one’s dirty laundry hidden.Take a moment to think of the #MeToo movement.Indeed, bad behaviours should be stopped in their tracks and abusers should be disabled from perpetrating more abuse. But how could anyone foresee the very public airing of what, even 30 years ago, would have been such a taboo, private subject as a sexual encounter?In that sense, the use o f social media represents a breach of fundamental social mores to people who, in the ‘70s, were young adults whose social values were already deeply ingrained.Seen in that light, it is easy to reason older generations' disdain and perhaps outright dislike of social media. That is why we've got to help them see the better aspects of such instant communication! Staying in touch with friends and family, sharing precious moments, helping someone in need...The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ has absolutely no weight when it comes to seniors learning something new.It is the conventions they’ve lived by all of their lives that must be overcome if one hopes to successfully indoctrinate seniors into the pervasive world of information technology.Some of the most successful courses in the UK, whose instructors have mastered the art of putting their Golden students in the right frame of mind for learning all about software, computer applications and how to use them are included in this table.Computer lessons around the UK:School / Organisation NameWhat They OfferWhere They're AtPhone NumberAge UKBasic computer training Software usage Getting onlineLocations all over the UK0800 678 1174Online Centres NetworkComputer classes to students of all agesLocations all over the UK0114 349 1666Senior Computer MomentsComprehensive computer training and supportDorset, Sommerset, Wiltshire01258 870053 01747 450078 07788 181419 (mobile)Night CoursesFile management, intro to the Internet, Introduction to email, Introduction to MS Word and ExcelSelect cities in Ireland3531 531 1280Your Local Community CentreA multitude of literacy courses including digital literacyAll over the UKplease see your local community centreTake Private Tutorials to Learn about ITThis is probably the best method for teaching older generations about computing in a fun and enjoyable way. There’s nothing better than meeting an IT expert face-to-face (whether they’re an IT master’s stud ent, IT technician, or developer) in order to learn more about their subject.If you feel like you’re constantly repeating yourself when telling your grandparents how to use their computer, it’s probably because you’re not an experienced teacher or you gloss over steps that are obvious to you but not them. Private IT tutors have the necessary basic skills of teaching to ensure everything goes in.It’s also much easier to learn something when you know what your learning objectives are. A good number of the older generation often hear things like:“You won’t get it”, “you’re too old to learn about computers”, or “IT isn’t really for your generation”.You're never too old to learn. If you get stuck, you can always get a private tutor. (Source: pixabay.com)This couldn’t be further from the truth. The older generations are just as capable as the younger ones when it comes to learning about IT and saying things like this only serves to discourage them.Thanks to pri vate IT tutorials, a quality tutor can catch them up with computers and adapt their sessions to their learning style. They can go over the basics that are so obvious to those who grew up with computers (right click, double click, download, save, etc.).While there may be a generational gap between the baby boomers who are mainly retired and millennials who’ve grown up with computers, computing could be a great way to bring the two generations closer together.There are several different types of class for IT beginners:Introduction to IT tutorials where they can learn to type, save documents, etc.Improving their knowledge of computers (processors, hard disks, peripherals, app development) with IT courses.Training for specific programmes (word processors, spreadsheets, powerpoints, etc.)Help creating their own websitesDigital culture trainingGet to know your computer. (Source: stock.tookapic.com)If this is of interest to you, why not consider offering tutorials over webcam? It’s a g ood way to help those who might otherwise struggle to get out of the house to attend classes. It’s far more useful to them than a book full of jargon they’ll never understand.For those who are really keen to learn more about IT, why not offer classes in programming or coding for websites? You’ll be surprised at how quickly old dogs can learn new tricks!There is no age requirement for learning how to troubleshoot and maintain computers! Source: Pixabay Credit: AnncaIT Courses OnlineOnce your dear Senior has taken a computer class and mastered how to use their computer, they would know how to access the Internet.How about putting that newfound knowledge to work by directing them to online courses?MOOCs - massive online open courses are non-degree classes held strictly online where participants â€" often numbering in the thousands, collaborate in their learning.This class structure permits students to learn about any subject they desire (provided it is offered) at their own pace. They are generally free, although some courses do offer a certificate of training for a small fee â€" a much smaller fee than attending a traditional higher learning or continuing education class!Coursera has been consistently voted one of the top providers of online classes. Working in concert with universities around the world, they offer classes in just about everything from archaeology to algorithms and data processing to deep learning for artificial intelligence.Just now, their website is promoting a Python for Everybody course and a Programming Basics module!  No, they're not giving every student a python; they are teaching a programming language.  Coursera’s top competitor, Future Learn, also has an expanded course catalogue.Rather than a presentation of what they have on offer at any given time, their home page invites you to search for what you want to learn about... and there’s a good chance they would have a class on it!Just now, as a case in point on our topic of IT lessons, they are offering a 3-week course in cyber security (hosted by Newcastle University), a 2-week class called Digital Skills (to learn all about mobile design and development), and yet another: Introduction to Digital Media Analytics.Other highly rated MOOCs are:UdacityIversityCognitive ClassedXA web browser search of any of those names would bring up a link to those pages.From there, a simple scan of their individual course lists, followed by selecting the one that sounds the most intriguing... and, next thing you know, your beloved seniors are happily exchanging ideas and information with the other students in their classes! And they’re not limited to learning about IT, either!Perhaps the best thing about online learning is that there is no bias, implicit or otherwise.When seniors log in to their classes, they are a student with the same drives (pardon the pun!) and capabilities as everyone else. With the degree of anonymity afforded online, neither their teacher nor cla ssmates will have any idea that this person in their class is a grandmother or grandfather; they talk down to them or try to simplify anything. Older students are simply one of the masses and will be addressed that way.That is perhaps the kindest and most productive way to accord a learner, regardless of age, the respect s/he deserves!Other Resources for Seniors wanting to Learn about ITThere are plenty of organisations whose mission is to help seniors improve their computing skills by offering:IT lessonsHelp with creating CVs and looking for work (a lot of seniors struggle to find work because they lack the necessary IT skills required).Help with creating websitesLessons on how to use modern communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.These organisations aim to alleviate the effect of digital exclusion whereby older generations have little or no access to modern technologies nor the ability to use them.In addition to the programmes designed for the elderly, ther e are also websites with lessons to help them learn more about computers and even programmes to simplify computers for first-time users.Here are some examples of the different things they could learn about:  â€œComputer maintenance tasks”, “using a USB key or external hard drive”, “using computers, tablets, or smartphones for beginners”, or even “using Linux”.When you learn to use computers, you should also learn to use tablets and smartphone. (Source: kaboompics.com)The site Skillfull Senior, for example, teaches the older generation the basics of using their computer and includes animated tutorials showing them how to do things like:Holding the mouseErgonomics so that they can use their computer without causing unnecessary physical pain.In addition to the animations, the tutorials also include a voiceover so that they can listen to what they have to do.There are also plenty of IT Training courses for the elderly run by Age UK so that they can start using the internet .There’s also Barclays Bank’s Digital Eagles programme which includes online training sessions or in-branch sessions. There are plenty of different sessions depending on which IT skills they’re wanting to learn.For example, with Barclays Bank’s Digital Eagles, you can learn fundamental skills such as:Setting up an email accountDoing your shopping onlineSearching the internet safelyHow to stay safe onlineUsing YouTubeUsing SkypeIt should be remembered that seniors learn to use the internet as a useful tool rather than a source of fun like the younger generations tend to. Hopefully this information has been useful in helping you either plan IT tutorials for the elderly or has given you some useful information for helping seniors learn more about computing.Or, even better: it has inspired to to take computer programming courses yourself!