Closing the digital age gap

TRANSITION TIMES:The Log On, Learn project gives older people a chance to raise their computer skills. And students get a chance to become teachers for a change, writes JOHN HOLDEN.

OLDER PEOPLE and technology don’t always mix well. Not having grown up with computers makes the things harder to grasp at a later stage. Younger generations take their computer skills for granted, but those who weren’t raised with mobile phones, computers and the internet often feel quite detached from the digital age.

Log On, Learn is a combined effort between Intel, An Post, Microsoft and Ireland’s transition year students to improve computer skills amongst the elderly. Over 100 schools have signed up to the Log On, Learn programme thus far. The aim of the venture is to train older people in basic computer skills. The TY students become the teachers and go through eight modules, beginning with how to turn on a computer.

From there the course can be designed to suit the needs of the technical novice.

Castleisland Community College in Tralee has found that demand for the course in the community has far exceeded supply.

“We made up posters and put them up in the locality,” explains Teresa Landers, TY co-ordinator in Castleisland. “We also organised an announcement at Mass. Within two days we had a full class and enough names to plan a second group. I’m getting phone calls every day looking for more spaces. We would have taken more but we don’t have sufficient computing facilities.”

The Castleisland students are running six classes for each group. “There are eight modules to cover, but we found after week two [that] some were already up to module four,” explains Landers. “Some have their own interests – music, art, genealogy, e-mail – so their teachers show them how to access what they want to learn about. I’m hugely impressed by the whole thing.”

SO HOW DO the TY students find playing the part of the teacher?

“It’s much better than being the student,” laughs 15-year-old Marina McGaley. “Patience is important. I don’t really have much, so I’m learning myself. My pupil is a quick learner. When we started she didn’t even know how to turn a computer on. Now I have her doing e-mail, searching the internet, going around Google Earth, shopping online and booking flights.

“You can teach an old dog new tricks.”

James Cronin (16) has also enjoyed his experience as boss. “At first it was a bit weird being teacher instead of student, but it’s actually great fun. I started by showing my pupil the basics, the things that we don’t even think about.

“We assume it should be very easy for elderly people to learn, but some are simply amazed at what a computer can do and the information and services it can provide. If you didn’t grow up with them you wouldn’t know what they’re capable of.”

Maureen O’Sullivan used to be afraid of the computer that sat in the corner of her living room, gathering dust. The Log On, Learn course has given her a whole new lease of life.

“It has to do with the fear of the unknown,” she says. “If you weren’t brought up with certain technology, you won’t be confident with it. I just saw the computer as something in the corner that I didn’t use and didn’t know anything about.

“Every time I come to class I get more confident. I have a laptop at home which I’ve started trying things out on. I was interested in finding out about my family tree. So far we have gone back to my great-grandparents. I’m also using e-mail, booking flights and surfing the net.”

Another Log On, Learn participant, Mary McQuinn, also suffered from the fear factor.

“Well, I did a computer course before but it was too advanced for me, so now I’m learning the basics,” she says. “I was always a little scared of technology. I mean, I was very pleased with myself when I learnt how to send text messages. But I would very much like to be au fait with computers, as it would make my life easier and more interesting.”

Maureen and Mary’s fear of the unknown is just one challenge for the elderly. The reasons for the digital gap are multifaceted. Age Action Ireland also run computer classes – Getting Started – and see all sorts signing up.

“We get people from all sections of society,” explains Eamon Timmins, head of advocacy and communications for Age Action Ireland. “In fact, many successful elderly people lack basic computer skills. We’ve had retired doctors, lawyers and senior civil servants who may have been so high up the chain that they were bypassed by technology. Others retired before computers became standard in the workplace.

“Why did I never learn how to use computers before? I never had the opportunity,” stresses Peter Newman, another pupil of the Castleisland computer project. “I’m just interested in learning the basics – surfing Google, things like that. I’ve always been very interested in German sculpture, and this course has opened up so many new avenues for my interests.”

Lack of opportunity is a common reason for lack of interest in computers among the elderly. If computers weren’t taught in class, or used in the working environment, many people might not have the opportunity to learn that they can also be used for fun.

“The reason people take the course with us in Age Action is that there’s a whole issue of electronic exclusion – websites, e-mails, blogs, Skype – people feel completely left out of this world,” says Timmins. “Whenever we try to get a course started, it tends to be the better educated, more middle class sections of society who sign up. We don’t always get to the socially excluded, but we’re changing that at the moment.

“In many ways modern technology would be far more useful for the elderly than it is for younger generations,” he adds. “People who are housebound or have mobility problems could really benefit from technology like e-mail or Skype. It’s a great way to overcome social isolation, [which is] a big problem for many people.”

SO WHY, THEN, aren’t older people signing up for computer classes in droves? “People are scared they’ll look stupid,” says Timmins. “Many feel they have fallen so far out of the loop it’s seems it would be impossible to catch up. But that’s not the case.

“Courses specifically designed for the elderly are an excellent idea as they can learn at their own pace and enjoy the social aspect to the classes as well.”

For more information on the Log On, Learn programme, call 01-2147417. For information on Age Action Ireland’s Getting Started programme, call 01-4756989