Slashdot Mirror
Computer Resources for Older People?
Your_Mom asks: "My mother has recently become involved in computing. She has familiarized herself with many of the basics like: going to certain web sites, typing out simple Word documents, and so forth. However, she has recently expressed interest in learning more. Where can I find resources for older computer users, teaching simple things like word processing, spreadsheets, searching the web, etc.?"
There is the idiot's and dummies guides.
Have her tune into TechTV for the Call for Help show.
Get her the "professor" CD self study guides.
Have her use what knowledge she has about writing documents in Word (write, notepad, whatever) to generate a list of the things she has questions about, that you then turn around into a Wiki to explain those concepts. Show her how to edit and add more questions to the Wiki, and see where things go from there.
Check with the community education people in your area to see if they have courses that would interest her.
If you have gone through all of that, and still have nothing that works, spend some time, sitting with her and asking her what she is doing. Also ask her if there is something she would like to do, but doesn't know how to do that.
Different people learn in different ways, at different speeds, and with different intentions. If she is already getting as much out of the computer as she is interested in, be comfortable with that, and let her do her thing.
-Rusty
You never know...
Maybe you're wrong, maybe they just don't want to listen to YOU. With that sort of attitude, I wouldn't blame them. I remember having trouble with an older student, back when I was about 19 years old and teaching BASIC classes at a computer store. I guarantee you the problem was MY attitude, not the student's. Once the boss gave me a reality check, we got along fine and she was an excellent student.
You are forgetting the original question, the guy's mom ASKED for instruction. She's predisposed to learn new things.
Set up an old box with no net access and an unused/unneeded hard drive. Show them how to boot from the Knoppix CD. Show them point and click, copy/paste, where different program types are etc..
Tell them they cant hurt anything because:
A. Everything in this box is getting scrapped or is going to gather dust for 5 years.
B. It isnt connected to the network.
C. Everything they do ( except messing with the hard drive - formatting writing something to it etc.. HD is surplus etc..) will dissapear the next time it is shutdown.
Then ask what they wants to start doing, point the way, and stand back.
Encourage them to explore, and get them to laugh when something doesnt work. Then they will become a lot more comfortable with strange and cryptic programs and commands and not fear the computer.
( Yes, treat them like a small child learning something new. Basically, that is what is happening. )
If they do something they want to save, use a floppy or a USB key to save it.
Oh BS!
I suppose the cost of raising a child and helping put them through school wasn't enough. I'm not sure what kind of relationship the original author has with his/her parents but mine would be just the opposite. If I tell them something they would believe me over someone else no matter what they paid the person. I guess it comes down to a matter of trust.
I've went through the same thing with my parents. Help them get the hardware. Set them up with useful programs and show them some basics then let them play for a while. If they really enjoy it they will come back with many questions. I know I was more than happy to share my hobby (and work) a bit with my parents. At least they have a little more understanding of what I do.
One should not theorize before one has data. -Sherlock Holmes-