| The technology age has really revolutionized how | | | | time. |
| we function from day-to-day. Most people | | | | 3. Use analogies to better explain terms and |
| can’t even make it 2 hours without checking | | | | concepts. They will be able to grasp technological |
| their emails or their favorite blogs. That’s why | | | | terms and concepts if they can refer to |
| it’s so shocking that a whole generation has | | | | something familiar during the process. |
| just been skipped over. The majority of elderly | | | | 4. Write down steps for basic exercises. For |
| people have real sense of how to use or why | | | | example, show them how to connect to the |
| they would need to use the internet. | | | | internet and how to open their email account. |
| Unfortunately, this lack of technological knowledge | | | | Allow them to practice several times with you |
| further alienates and isolated the elderly from | | | | watching then make a list of detailed steps. Similar |
| society. But with a little work and time, elderly | | | | to the glossary, they will be able to refer to this |
| persons can easily pick up the basics and start | | | | when you aren’t around and it will further |
| surfing the net. | | | | solidify the process in their minds. |
| 1. The first step to teaching someone with little or | | | | 5. Practice as often as possible. Create different |
| no knowledge of computers is to be patient. You | | | | tasks for them utilizing the concepts and terms |
| never want to rush an older student, or worse | | | | you’ve taught them. Allow them to fumble |
| make them feel stupid or foolish. Remain calm and | | | | around and make mistakes, that the best way |
| avoid sounding annoyed with your overall tone. | | | | for them to make sense of it all. Make sure that |
| Words like internet or RAM may be completely | | | | your tasks involve practical skills that they would |
| new to their vocabulary, so learning will take | | | | like to use often when you aren’t around, |
| some time. | | | | such as uploading pictures from a digital camera, |
| 2. Create a glossary if you have the time. Include | | | | purchasing products like patio dining sets online. |
| all the basic terminology like hard drives, World | | | | Anyone can learn how to use a computer as long |
| Wide Web and Google. That way they can refer | | | | as they have a patient, diligent, informed |
| back to this when you aren’t around to guide | | | | instructor. No matter if it’s your mother, |
| them. They can use it to study and further their | | | | grandfather or great aunt, prepare in advance and |
| knowledge when surfing the net on their own | | | | be ready to answer loads of questions. |