Introduction
- The targeted audience: the younger generation who would love to help their relatives with computer science. It also includes other people who are willing to catch up with all helpful hints about the daily use of the computer.
- The tools needed: laptop and lots of patience.
- The necessary safety information:
- Do not operate the computer if there is external damage to the case or the insulation of the power cables.
- Do not store various objects on the system unit case.
- Do not connect the computer to ungrounded outlets; sockets and plugs must be solid, without damage.
- Do not turn on the computer in a high humidity environment.
- Do not leave a running PC unattended for a long time (Markel & Selber, 2021).
Personal Experience
In recent years, retirees are increasingly striving to master the skills of working on a personal computer. This desire is highly respected; it is more challenging for them than for young people who grew up surrounded by modern technologies. When I taught my grandmother how to use a computer, I realized that older people have to overcome many obstacles. She did not know the basic concepts, doubted her abilities, and did not perceive new information well. I did my best to increase her self-esteem and computer skills by properly advising and assisting.
Instructions: to interest a person in obtaining knowledge, skills, and abilities
You can talk about how great it is to skype and see each other, write free letters, open a Facebook profile and find classmates. Be persistent, hold back negative emotions, and remember that you are now a teacher. You can buy a personal laptop, give it as a gift, or just give it away so that the elderly relative can look at it when no one is watching him.
Step 2: introduce your relative to the device
Do not forget that a person is often ashamed to admit that he does not comprehend something. Show how the computer connects to the network and to the monitor. Depending on the model, explain if the screen can be wiped, touched with a finger, shaken, and so on (Markel & Selber, 2021). Remember that the older the person, the weaker his memory. Keep in mind that at a younger age, everything develops and grows: a person determinates data faster, learns, and finds solid solutions.
Step 3: write detailed instructions on a piece of paper on how to turn on the computer
It is advisable to supplement it with drawings like “what the Power button looks like”, how many times to press the right button with the mouse, and so on. Such a note will facilitate the reproduction in memory of the process of turning on the computer. Start simple: write instructions on how to turn on and off the computer, and view photos and messages. There is no need to immediately load a person with information that he cannot recall.
Conclusion
When teaching computer literacy, a systematic approach and the ability to get solutions to incomprehensible matters are essential. Therefore, self-study of the computer by pensioners is much less effective than courses designed considering the perception peculiarities of older people (Markel & Selber, 2021). The older generation has concerns with the speed of perception and analysis of new data. The primary task of effective teaching is the ability to clarify things that are challenging for them in the simplest possible way.
Reference
Markel, M. & Selber, S. (2021). Technical communication. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins.