Helping Seniors Become Computer Literate
Taken from Lockergnome. I will add the later items as they become available

Lockergnome has featured some fine articles on how to get a job, but for those of you older than about 50, be aware that ageism is alive and well - particularly in the high-tech environment, where it is generally assumed geeks stop learning at about age 24 and become hopelessly obsolete shortly thereafter. The only answer I have found is to create a position, since precious few jobs will be given to older people. That is just the fact, not a call to social revolution.

Sometimes we get lucky and stumble on an interesting niche. The best jobs are ones where you can make money and do something worthwhile at the same time. I help seniors become computer-literate.

Many seniors entered the computer/Internet/e-mail age because their children and grandchildren communicate via e-mail. That, plus the general social pressure forces them to go to Costco or a similar store and buy an entry-level HP or equivalent and then sign up for free AOL on a dial-up connection (with one line to the house). Many have never used a word processor, and none have a good mental model of exactly what the Internet is or where e-mail comes from (in reality, this probably applies to most users regardless of age).

Then they get in trouble. One client said her machine was slower than when she bought it. A quick run of Spybot S&D followed by Ad-aware routed over 600 pests. Then I looked at her inbox and found several hundred letters. We discussed filing and special folders, none of which had occurred to her.

Another client had opened an attachment and wondered why her IE worked differently now.

Several clients had infections, which I surreptitiously traced back to visiting questionable sites - hey, I don't make value judgments. Even seniors like to be titillated. My job is to help protect them.

In future articles, I will explore methods that have worked to help people become comfortable to the extent that I have clients who now do day trading over the Internet, book reservations, bank, and all the things that Gnomies take for granted.

PART TWO
Almost immediately one faces certain moral dilemmas when helping seniors become computer-literate. The first is which operating system to use, and the second is which office software to use. In fact, there is no real choice. Windows is ubiquitous, and even though I personally dislike Word, I gently urge them to practice using it. The reason is simple: Everyone else they know uses Windows and Word.

The situation becomes a bit stickier when getting them on the Internet and a mail client. IE is okay if they are otherwise protected (We all use Firefox, right?), and has the tremendous advantage of universality. Similar comments go for Outlook Express. However, by the time I get to them, most are hooked on AOL and do not want to give up their address. That simplifies my options. I have reluctantly learned how to navigate through AOL stuff.

Since many seniors are on fixed incomes, they are reluctant to sign up for broadband service or even put in a dedicated line for their modem. This doesn't necessarily mean they can't afford the better service, it just means they are oriented toward not spending money until they perceive a distinct reason for doing it. One demonstration that has mixed benefits is for me to fire up my laptop and sniff around for an unencrypted wireless network in the neighborhood. Then I go to Google image search for something like "trees" on their dial-up system and wait. When the page has loaded, I do the same on my laptop. That dramatically demonstrates the difference, but still doesn't demonstrate why they should spend money for it. That's okay. They get the idea and eventually as they progress, broadband will entice them.

The downside of this demonstration came when one client looked at my laptop in awe and asked where he could buy a scanner like mine. That's not the point!
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Yesterday I addressed some issues of ageism. Today’s topic is the tradeoff between volunteering and charging to help seniors (and any others) become more computer-literate.

First off, I strongly encourage anyone with skills and time to volunteer and help spread computer literacy. Do it through civic centers, social clubs, or church groups. The rewards go beyond money. However, there is a big difference between what you can do as a volunteer and in a hour with the client paying. Volunteering takes many forms, but space is limited, so please don’t think me dull for overlooking your favorite. A common way is to offer introductory classes at a senior center or retirement community. These can be good, but unsatisfactory, unless enough computers are available for all participants to practice during the session. You didn’t learn how to log onto Lockergnome and read this article by listening to a lecture. They won’t, either. Your students need to do it themselves with your guidance. They need the positive reinforcement of punching a key and getting a reward. Listening to you describe computer usage doesn’t cut it.

A challenge in running a class is quickly ascertaining the existing skills and knowledge of the students. Any such class is bound to have a range of backgrounds. The wise teacher quickly identifies students who can, in effect, become classroom helpers and those who are going to need extra hand-holding.

Volunteering to tutor on a one-to-one basis has other challenges. First, it is a less efficient use of volunteer time since only one person benefits. Then you have the problem of a facility. Do you use your own computer or go the client's house? A good alternative is a computer center if one is available to the client. Often, retirement communities and other senior centers have such dedicated rooms, often with broadband connections.

What about charging for services? Teaching is a noble endeavor, and one need never feel bad about charging to provide a service someone wants. I emphasize this because some people express the feeling that sharing what they know, and what to them is simple and basic, should be given gratis. I reply that singing comes easily and is fun for the Rolling Stones (after how many years? Remember, this is about seniors); do they still charge?

While one could organize formal classes and charge for attendance (I would like to hear from anyone who has done that), I find providing individual tutoring often in conjunction with fixing some hardware or software problem is my preferred way. Cleaning out spies can be combined with a quick lesson on how to download and install software and how to protect against pests. Helping set up personal stationery can be combined with a lesson on the various formats and why you can have an animated gif in HTML, but not in plain text.

Anyone who wants to get into this game has to find a personal equilibrium point trading off volunteering and charging. The right point depends on your clientele, your skills and needs, and resources available. For me, both are important.