Guest Speaker – David from Telstra Shop at Stolz, has taken up our invitation to speak about the services they offer and to give us some insight into the sorts of issues which older people come to see them about.
Digital Inclusion: In late 2015 the Mentors working group of ‘Tech Savvy’ developed the idea of offering a ‘Tech Savvy Drop In’ to support members with e-learning needs. The mentors group has met a number of times over the break, developing skills in using iPads (See ‘Take that Siri! in last post), an assessment process for incoming Drop In members, a Tech Savvy Drop In website (under construction); and locating and trialling user friendly resources to draw upon in mentoring others.
The Mentors group suspected there would be a large unment demand for support. This was confirmed during the enrolment process, with 50+ enrolments. We suspect, and ‘early polling’ indicates, there is a also wide variation in needs, so we have had to come up with some ways of managing both numbers & needs.
Tech Savvy Suggested Response 1 –builds upon wisdom gained from our Tech Savvy group – there are Microsoft/Android Users and Apple Users! Early polling of Tech Savvy Drop In enrollees suggests there is a roughly a half in half division. Suggestion: to timetable two Drop In groups instead of one – one for Microsoft/Android users/mentors; another for Apple users/mentors.
9.30 – 10.30 – Tech Savvy - Sharing of news of the latest in IT development; presentations on topics of interest by informed group members or guest speakers
10.00 – 11.00 – break, mingling, preparation for Drop In.
11.00 – 1.00 Tech Savvy Drop In – either Microsoft/Android or Apple (to be decided).
This time allocation would continue throughout semeter one and represents a change from the way in which we operated during our ‘pilot’ five sessions in Semester II last year. Another option is to use the timeslot available on the fourth Monday.
There is also a need to program in topics/guest speakers for a further four guest speaker sessions from March to June for the March, April, May and June sessions. Ian McLeod has offered to present at least one session drawing on Making the Most of the Internet course material.
Problem/Challenge: Dividing the group into ‘systems’ in this way is useful, but given the huge range of learning needs, only goes part way to managing the demand. There is also a need to offer one to one mentoring outside the monthly Drop In for people with greater learning needs. This could occur at the Library or by arrangement at a suitable location with WiFi. More enrolments means more demand for mentors! What is Mentoring – The Go Digi project has developed a set of short videos in relation to this (Video Clips)
Problem/Challenge: The huge diversity of learning needs still remains a challenge! Over the past few months we’ve heard a range of learning needs, from learning how to cut and paste in editing a document to learning to resize documents to learning how to print from a Smart phone. We’ve heard about the ways in which grandparents have learnt to communicate with their grandchildren using Facebook and text messaging. Some creative benchmarking to the travel industry and the fish and chip chop have led to Tech Savvy Suggested Response 2 – ‘Packages’! as a way of helping to manage the diverse range of needs. …. Here are some suggestions for possible packages for discussion/editing/further development…
‘Complete Beginner’ A package for members entering the digital age create simple documents; compose and send emails and use the internet. Depending on the computer devices and systems being used it will include fun learning such as using Solitaire to become familiar with using the mouse, and so on.
‘U3A Member’ A ‘stepping stone’ package for members who need to gain confidence on using the internet. It focusses on needs of a U3A member to use email for example, in receiving the newsletter, and negotiating and making full use of the U3A website. Many U3A members love Scrabble – so on line Scrabble is included as well!
‘Grandparents’ A package for members keen to communicate with their grandchildren/nieces/nephews and even great gc. Includes sending emails; Text/SMS messages; Facebook; Skype/Facetime; and photographs.
‘Money’ A package for members with learning needs relating to money and personal administration such as on-line banking; buying online; creating and using My.Gov.Au digital services; budgeting and even buying and selling shares.
‘Office’ A package for members who may have some internet skills but are keen to learn word processing and even spreadsheets. Includes creating and editing documents such as letters and minutes; and in simple spreadsheets.
‘Entertainment’ This package includes lots of ways to access entertainment through your device including music; catch up TV; YouTube; magazines and books online and more.
‘Around the House’ This package includes ideas for including and using computer aided devices in your home. Perhaps you have a smart TV but aren't sure how to use it? Perhaps you would like to convert your TV into a smart TV?... etc....
‘Memory’ This package includes tips and tricks to assist your memory - from alarms on your device; to using calendars, task lists; playing games which help your memory, etc...
‘Tablets’ ‘Smartphones’ ‘Making the Most of the Internet’ ‘Bloggers’
‘Tech Heads’ ‘Mentors’ Other? Other?
‘Packages’ - Responses to the idea of packages and your ideas for packages (using exercise books introduced by Geraldine).
Other - Reaction to the new Time frame for ‘Tech Savvy’? Suggestions for topics/guest speakers for March, April, May, June? Other matters which have come up we need to think about?
Report back from groups.