teaching grandma to use a smartphone essay

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How I taught my grandparents to use an iPhone

Julia Vastano , Assistant Editor-in-Chief March 28, 2014

I would like to start by saying my grandparents are the most wonderful people and I love them dearly. However…

Within the past year both of my grandparents switched from flip phones to iPhones. For some strange reason both of them regard me as a technology goddess (I barely know how to download apps), and required my mentoring them in the somewhat exciting life of an iPhone user.

My grandma first got the iPhone 4s. The first thing she, as an oldish person, naturally wanted to learn was how to make a phone call. It took me quite a while to explain this, and no I’m not kidding. Did you know it takes a minimum of eight key strokes just to phone someone!? This is without entering their contact name and phone number. This is a lot to take in for those who don’t know technology, and it resulted in my nana writing down steps with a pen and paper.

I then helped her disable her ability to text message (that would have been terrifying to explain), and sent her on her way to copy all the numbers from her ACTUAL ADDRESS BOOK (yes, I’m talking about a paper book, people).

My grandpa was (and never will be) quite as easy.

First off, something I learned is that many older people don’t think ugly or silly selfies are funny. My grandfather was somewhat disgusted and mostly upset when I set my contact image as me with crossed eyes and a double chin.

Another challenge with my papa was teaching him how to type with his thumbs. When he was growing up they had like these typewriter things, that you typed with your index fingers on. This lesson included enlightening him of the fact that no matter how hard you press on the screen, the button will do the same thing. Keyboards are difficult.

Something that both of my grandparents don’t understand is that just because they have a cell phone, and I have a cell phone, doesn’t mean they should call me during school. Sometimes I will accumulate multiple missed calls during class from them. It’s hard because I feel guilty not answering even when I have a huge WHAP test coming up!

Another idea that shocked both of them was FaceTiming. With its Star-Wars like features, it amazed them. This is also somewhat unfortunate, because now they want to FaceTime, all the time.

This was quite the adventure with my grandparents and I am glad I could have helped them. However, from experience, I want to warn everyone to be cautious and patient around any elderly who happens to lack in their technology skills, for both your and their sake.

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12 Tips For Teaching Your Grandparents How To Use A Smartphone

A smartphone is an excellent device for seniors. It can help them stay connected with the world and their friends.

However, many seniors don’t know how to use a smartphone. Some even fear them because they don’t understand how helpful they can be.

Use this guide to teach your grandparents how to use a smartphone in 12 easy steps.

How to Teach Seniors and the Elderly How to Use a Smartphone: General Advice

Older adults learn differently than you and your friends do. So, you’ll need to adjust your teaching style.

• Be patient with them as they learn how to use the phone.
• Consistently demonstrate the task, don’t just tell them how to do it.
• Have them repeat the task until they feel comfortable doing it.
• Break up the tasks into smaller steps.
• Finally, don’t try to teach them everything in one day. They will retain more with multiple sessions.

Now that you know a bit more about teaching them, let’s look at what you should teach them.

12 Important Functions to Teach Seniors About Smartphones

You and your friends probably take many of these cell phone functions for granted. But, these may be completely new ideas to older adults. But, it’s important for seniors to learn ways to use their smartphones that make their life easier.

Here are some of the most essential tasks that seniors and the elderly should learn how to do on their new smartphones.

1. How to Set Up the Phone and Change Settings: The Basics

First and foremost, you must make sure that they understand the basics of using a phone. For instance, make sure they know how to turn the smartphone on and off and adjust the volume. Be sure that they know how to answer a call and end it once they are finished.

Other vital basics to teach your older loved one include charging their phone, how often to charge it, choosing a ringer they can hear well (and that they like), and navigating the phone’s menus. Explain what the icons on the screen mean and what each of them does.

2. How to Add and Manage Contacts 

Next, you will want to help your loved one add contacts. This can be more difficult for them as they may not be as comfortable using computers or smartphones.

But, you can show them how to use the phone’s search function to find their friends and acquaintances and then add them by entering their contact information. Explain how this will make it easier to call their friends and loved ones or send messages.

Once they have added their contacts, it is crucial that you help them manage the information by setting up default phone numbers and email addresses for them, forwarding important messages to these addresses, and deleting unwanted messages. 

Also, set up emergency phone numbers and show them how to access them quickly in an emergency.

3. How to Set Up and Check Their Voicemail

One of the most critical functions of a smartphone is the voicemail function. You will want to help your loved one learn how to access their voicemail and answer any messages that may be waiting for them.

Make sure they know how to tell when they have new messages. Explain to them how to listen to their messages and then delete anything they do not want or need to hear again.

4. How to Use the Internet

They need access to the internet to stay connected with family and friends.

There are a few simple steps that you can take to help your grandparents learn how to use the internet. First, show them how to open their browser and type in the website’s address that they want to visit.

Second, teach them how to use search engines like Google to find the information they are looking for. Now might be a good time to warn them that not every website on the internet is where they want to go.

Finally, teach them how to navigate websites using tabs or windows. Show them what links and buttons are and how to use them to move around the web.

By taking these simple steps, your grandparents will be able to use the internet like a pro!

5. How to Send Emails and Text Messages

Next, show them how to use email and text messaging. This is probably one of the first things that your grandparents will want to figure out how to do!

First, don’t assume they understand the difference between text messages and emails. Explain and show them the differences.

The easiest way to set them up on email is just to have them sign up for an account with either Gmail or Facebook. Once they have an account, you can send them a link to set up their phone so that they can start using it.

For texting, show them how to use the texting app and how to know when they have a new text message. Show them how to read and reply to the message. Also, explain how to send a message to a new person from their contacts. They may not know how to start a new thread.

Finally, it is essential to keep a close eye on your grandparents’ email and text messages. If they ever get a message that they don’t recognize, be sure to help them figure out if they can trust the message or not.

6. How to Use Google Maps and GPS Navigation

Google Maps is a very useful app, so your loved one must be able to use it. Have them show you how to enter an address or directions and how to find restaurants, businesses, parks, and other destinations in their vicinity by using Google Maps .

Additionally, be sure they know how to turn on GPS navigation and use it to get around.

7. How to Use the App Store

One of the best ways to teach your grandparents how to use a smartphone is to get them started with the App Store. This is where they can find all of the different apps they need to use their phone effectively. Plus, it’s an excellent way to learn more about new technology.

Show them how to check app reviews before downloading an app. They need to make sure the app has positive reviews to know it’s safe to download.

Discuss in-app purchases for premium apps and understand the implications of making these purchases. Explain that many apps are initially free but may charge them for additional features once they start using the app.

For most apps, advise them to only download apps from their phone’s dedicated app store for safety. They can check with you first about any apps outside their app store.

8. How to Play Games

Help your parents or grandparents find a game in the app store that they will enjoy playing. Some great games for seniors include hidden object games, matching games, and puzzle games.

Make sure to give them helpful instructions on how to play it. This includes telling them where to look for the objects or clues in the game and telling them when they should make choices to progress the story or solve puzzles.

Be sure to keep a close eye on your grandparents’ progress in the game. If they are having difficulty, offer to help them out and give them some tips on overcoming the obstacles.

9. How to Use Camera Functions

One of the best things that you can do for your grandparents is to teach them how to use the camera functions on their phones. This can allow them to easily take and share photos and videos with friends and family members.

Plus, they will be able to capture memories that they will never forget and look at any time they like.

Show them how to take a photo and how to adjust the settings on the camera. Explain where images are stored on the smartphone and how they can access them.

Demonstrate how to switch between photos and videos. Don’t forget to tell them that videos will take up much of their phone’s memory, so don’t go crazy with them!

As a fun exercise, help them to find the first photo or video they took on their phone and have them share it with a friend or family member.

10. How to Set Up Social Media Apps

One of the best things you can do for your grandparents is to teach them how to use social media apps on their phone. This will allow them to stay connected with friends and family members, share photos and videos, and learn about new products and services.

Tell your grandparents how to sign in to their social media accounts and how to post updates and photos. Show them how to use the app’s different features, such as commenting on posts, liking posts, or sharing articles or videos.

Explain how to find their friends and loved ones on the services. Facebook is usually an excellent place to start.

Make sure they know that using social media can be addictive, so be sure to set boundaries for them! Also, make sure they understand that anything they post online is visible to others!

Finally, be prepared for some minor embarrassment. They will make comments on your pictures that you may not appreciate!

11. How to Keep Their Personal Information Safe

One of the best ways that you can help your grandparents learn how to use a smartphone is by assisting them in staying organized and keeping their phones safe.

This means teaching them how to use folders, password protection, and other security features on their device. This will help them keep their information safe from thieves and other unwanted individuals.

Other tips to protect their identity and personal information:

• Keep login credentials safe by encrypting them using a password protection solution like FaceLock or File Vault (available at the Apple App Store).
• Avoid revealing too much information when filling out online forms or registering for services. For example, don’t list your full name, address, birthdate, etc.
• Do not provide personal information (like your Social Security number) in any unsolicited communication. Be suspicious and contact the company or individual requesting the information to verify that it is legitimate.
• Always use a strong password and keep it updated. Don’t share your password with anyone, and don’t use easily guessed words like “password” or “123456”.
• Don’t forget to sign out of all your accounts when you’re finished using them. This will help protect your privacy and security settings.

12. How to Keep Themselves—And Their Phone—Safe

There are many ways to keep yourself safe when using a smartphone. Here are nine tips all older adults should know:

• Use a protective case or screen protector.
• Keep your phone away from water and other liquids.
• Don’t leave your phone unattended in a public place.
• Don’t text and drive!
• Use the phone responsibly, especially when making decisions about spending money or downloading apps.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking into busy intersections or crowds without first looking up from your phone.
• Know the dangers of internet addiction, and don’t let your children use devices excessively while you’re not around to supervise them properly (or at all).
• Lockdown your device with a passcode, facial recognition, or pattern lock if you’re not using it and you don’t want others to access your data.
• If they experience any problems with their smartphone, tell them to reach out to you for help.

In conclusion, smartphone use is a valuable part of modern life. An easy to use smartphone can be an excellent tool for seniors . By teaching your older loved ones how to use this helpful tool, you can ensure that they have access to the information, communication, and entertainment they want.

However, as with all things, some risks and precautions should be taken to stay safe online. Be sure to review the safety advice provided in this article and remind them that you are available for help should they need it.

Stay up-to-date with helpful, uplifting insights for living your best years with practical tips and resources to maintain your health, independence, and quality of life as you age gracefully.

Learn More About Computing and Digital Literacy / Phones and Communication

Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®

With over 20 years of experience and certifications as a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and Senior Home Safety Specialist (SHSS)®, Scott Grant provides reliable recommendations to help seniors maintain independence through informed product and service choices for safe, comfortable living.

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Student Essay: Helping the Older Generation Embrace Technology

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Jordan Mittler, a sophomore at The Ramaz Upper School in New York City and a participant in the Wharton Global Youth Summer Program, is the founder of Mittler Senior Technology, a company that helps senior citizens adapt to the world of technology. In this student essay, Jordan shares the story of how he started his business and why it has become so critical during this time of social isolation — especially in New York City, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

In the next few months, Wharton Global Youth will be featuring a new essay every week, written by students around the world who are at home and eager to share their stories of entrepreneurship, leadership and experiences with business.

Five years ago, I gifted my grandparents, Janet and Mark Mittler, iPhones because it was painful for me to watch them still using flip phones! I have always been passionate about technology. I needed to get my grandparents, with whom I am very close, on board with the latest gadgets. It never even occurred to me that they would have no idea how to use an iPhone. They did not know how to perform many of the basic functions that come so easily to my generation, such as texting, Facetiming, photographing — and the list goes on.

And so, the idea for my business was born. I knew I needed to help this older generation, who missed the technology boom and was literally scared of trying to figure out our new connected world. As a result of this very real fear, they were often left alone and out of touch because they couldn’t communicate like everyone else.

Bonnie’s Got Mail

I decided to test my market concept at the local nursing home. I will never forget walking through those doors. I was only 11 at the time, and the director looked at me as if I had 10 heads. I went to the recreation floor and asked over a microphone: “Who would like free technology help?” I only had one taker. Her name was Bonnie Fisher, and I sat with her one-on-one for more than a year providing technology lessons. You should have seen Bonnie light up when she figured out how to connect with her sister and friends over email! I needed to figure out a way to reach a bigger audience.

I reached out to my synagogue, Congregation Kehilath Jeshrun, and asked if they would send a letter by mail promoting free technology help to all of their members over the age of 65. The synagogue was flooded with phone calls from interested seniors looking to enroll in tech class each Sunday. My temple, affiliated with my school, also let me use the school’s computer lab to hold my weekly classes. So many seniors showed interest that I had to maintain a waitlist. I got them into the classroom and taught them everything from texting to FaceTime and how to navigate the internet.

Fast forward to February 2020, and my classes were booming. I had even inspired some of my friends to join me in volunteering their time as teaching assistants. I had just added another class to fit in as many beginner and intermediate seniors as possible, and I felt like I was in a very good position to start scaling my business to reach even more learners.

We all know what happened next. Coronavirus swept through the world and our country, hitting the senior population the hardest and having a grim impact on New York City (reporting nearly 4,500 deaths through the beginning of April). During this time, I canceled my Sunday classes as my own schedule moved to at-home online learning.

I also realized, however, that senior citizens were suddenly even more cut off than ever. This new world of distancing was going to throw the older generation into more social isolation than they had ever experienced. One of my students, Roz Zuger, is 94 years old. I knew she would be disappointed without her weekly dose of tech class. So, I decided that I would attempt to continue my classes online via Zoom and walk all of my seniors through setting up the application and account. I started with Roz, spending endless phone calls with her to get her set up and comfortable with the online meeting platform. Roz had lots of trouble with the audio function on Zoom, and we slowly worked through this together.

After missing only one in-person class – and sending multiple texts and reminder calls — I had my whole class plus others online with me for our first virtual session. I updated my curriculum to be most helpful for seniors during this time when they were homebound and alone. For example, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, the Rabbi Emeritus of my synagogue and Principal Emeritus of my school, needed help creating a group chat so he could communicate with all his children at one time. He was having particular trouble setting this up. I was able to show him virtually how to work through all the issues.

Facetiming and Ordering Groceries Online

The key to my teaching success with the older generation is showing, not just explaining. For seniors, talking in technology terms is less effective than presenting them with a visual of how to do something. They’re just not used to the language of technology. Roz, for example, was only able to launch Zoom after I Facetimed with her and sent her pictures via text of the next steps she needed to take. I helped Rabbi Lookstein by sharing visuals with him from my own computer screen.

In the past few weeks, we have been figuring this out as we go along – and it’s working. I started to record all of my Zoom sessions, so the seniors could replay any section of our class for review. After each online session, I send out a link to the recording, as well as a message with everything covered in class that day. My updated curriculum includes showing my students (which total some 80 seniors) how to order groceries online, how to order from Amazon, how to Facetime to stay connected, how to access online newspapers, and, of course, how to mute and unmute their Zoom audio.

It has been really rewarding for me to help so many people become tech-savvy during a time when technology has never been more fundamental to our daily lives. Social distancing has helped me bridge even further the gap between generations – and empower older people with the very valuable tool of connection.

Related Links

• Teen Vogue: Teens Are Helping Seniors Stay Connected

Conversation Starters

How did Jordan Mittler think like an entrepreneur in a time of crisis? Need help? Check out this Wharton Global Youth article for guidance.

Initially, Jordan only had one customer. Why was Bonnie so important to the growth of his idea and his business?

Have you used innovation to respond to needs during the coronavirus pandemic? Share your story in the Comment section of this article.

33 comments on “ Student Essay: Helping the Older Generation Embrace Technology ”

Wow! It’s incredible how technology can connect everyone. Many people often say that technology drifts us apart, but I’d like to disagree. In the current age, technology lets people from all walks of life to seamlessly connect. From Jordan’s example of how he helped local senior citizens be accustom to technology, it indeed shows how something as small as a smartphone can bridge generational divides.

Moreover, I’d like to add that I’ve seen a similar experience with my grandparents. My grandparents currently reside in India while I live in the US. This poses a problem as we cannot communicate readily. However, I found a solution to that vexing issue last summer. My family and I decided it was time for a change in the technology my grandparents were using, so we bought them iPhones. I helped them understand the ins and outs of how to use the technology which they were not familiar with. Because of this, they often facetime us from India and have even become like teenagers, as now they are glued to their phones.

Hi Vishnu, I really enjoyed reading your anecdote about your grandparents in India. I could relate to this issue since my grandparents live in Maryland, while I reside in New Jersey. Pre-isolation, my extended family and I would visit them almost bimonthly. This was crucial to their well-being, as they live alone in a rural area. During the quarantine, I helped introduce them to Zoom, which has been a useful online tool. Now that they are capable of using it, our entire family has weekly digital chats. In relation to this article, our examples of giving help to our grandparents exemplify the responsibility of younger generations to take initiative with technology. Jordan allowing the Rabbi Emeritus of his synagogue to communicate with all his children at once is an important example of lending knowledge and skills to older generations to maximize efficiency and happiness during these times of uncertainty.

I understand that technology helps connect people, especially during this time of endless quarantines. It is beneficial that the older generation is taking an interest in technology, breaking the stereotype that the elderly reject new ideas. After all, technology was and is made to make humans’ lives easier. However, while reading both your comments, Vishnu and Charlie, along with the article, I see that in all the cases of older people using technology, it is because the elderly generation have no other ways to stay connected. Now, this sparked a curious thought inside me—the elderly are using tech because especially during this time period, they really need it to prevent themselves from becoming isolated. But when it comes to young people, we just use tech because we are so addicted to it. We reach for a phone because it’s just what teens do. We text, FaceTime, and play multiplayer games with each other simultaneously. For the elderly, the chance to be able to connect with their loved ones is a big highlight in their life. They have not experienced such ease and luxury for much of their lives.

In contrast, teens have grown up around technology. We should try to bring back a culture that is less focused on technology usage to grow up appreciating the time we use technology, especially to connect with others. The younger generation is so desensitized by constant interaction through texting and voice/video calls that we often fail to appreciate it. I was surprised by the enthusiasm of the elderly when Jordan offered classes, but now I realize that it’s because they have realized its value and are taking efforts to gain the most out of it. For me, it took spending some time in quarantine to realize this. My friends and I are always complaining how we are so lonely, when we have actually been texting and calling daily before the COVID-19 outbreak. Teens need to shift a little bit away from the constant technology usage and take time to do other things that do not require technology—perhaps even teaching their elderly relatives about technology, as Jordan did.

I also have another major concern: older people are already at huge risk to scams and privacy issues, and presenting them with increased technology would give others more opportunities to take advantage of the elderly. I already admire Jordan very much for being able to accomplish the feat of teaching the elderly about technology, and I am also very impressed at how he runs his program so professionally and in such an organized way. But I also hope that Jordan, along with you, Vishnu and Charlie, for your grandparents, have presented the gift of technology as well as explained the dangers that come with technology. There are many scammers and hackers that target the elderly, as they are known to take weaker security measures without knowing the consequences. They are more susceptible to common false alerts on the internet and on phone calls. When we think of introducing technology to the elderly, thinking about their tech security and scam-awareness are not the first things that come to mind, so I think there should be further steps taken to make that a priority. Still, I understand that connecting with loved ones is a priority in this case, as it is a good thing that your grandparents have been able to establish a system of communication to maximize the time you all share. I hope there will be more cases similar to that of yours and Jordan’s students. That way, the world can truly be connected and everyone will FEEL connected!

Daniel It is interesting that you note that students now are doing school from home and despite being tech savvy, they miss the socialization of school and may have to find other ways of relating to their friends or spending their time. They can stimulate their minds thinking about how they can contribute to society, or better their reading and writing skills.

Charlie It is important for children and grandchildren to recognize that their senior relatives can benefit from learning technology, and a little patience in instructing them will make them so happy. On a personal note, my Rabbi has done so much for my family and has been there for all of our family’s life events, so it gave me personal pleasure to help teach him how to connect with his family in new ways during these challenging times.

I love your personal experience with your grandparents. Your thoughts remind me that helping the older generation learn the use of technology also help us connects our lives with theirs.

Vishnu This is wonderful to hear that you got your grandparents iPhones and they are now using FaceTime. It is interesting that you point out that technology sometimes causes people to drift apart, maybe because it is often something people do alone without communicating with others. There are so many elements of technology like face time or zoom that allow people to connect virtually.

Hey Vishnu,

It sounds like we both share Jordan’s experience with the elderly population. I definitely agree that technology has connected us all and bridged generations. While your grandparents are in India, mine are in Florida. I know it’s not quite as far away, but for them, it’s far enough. Similar to how you guys had to cater your lessons to what their generation was used to, I have had my share of challenging but also rewarding experiences. For Jordan, it was FaceTime and Zoom; for me, it was Gmail.

My grandpa called me one day because his friend had sent out a party invite as a list. Grandpa spent about forty minutes trying to find it. I told him to look carefully and like Santa, check his list twice. He didn’t think that was funny. I realized that his friend’s email probably went to his Spambox. I told him to look to the left to find Spambox and click on it. He replied “My Gmail must be different from yours; I don’t have a Spambox folder.” After a few minutes of trying to describe it to him, I FaceTimed him. I looked on his screen and realized that he needed to scroll down in order to find Spambox.

For me, I had always automatically scrolled down to find it without even realizing that I did this. To me, every action or click is like a knee-jerk reflex, but I realized that for grandpa, his reflexes needed a bit more time to kick in. Jordan is absolutely right in that the elderly need more hands-on and visual support. Remember, they grew up with things that required more physical interaction like holding a thick hardcovered book or applying their index finger on a rotary phone. Even my mom tells me she used to love watching each digit of the rotary phone make its way back!

Anyways, thank goodness for FaceTime. I showed grandpa how to scroll down to find his Spambox. And sure enough, the mysterious party invite miraculously appeared. I thought about teaching Grandpa how to move that conversation to his Inbox, but he was so elated that I decided to save this lesson for another day.

I found this article very relatable as I have as well tried to teach my grandparents how to use a mobile phone. At the end I was only able to teach my grandmother how to play candy crush and how to select who she wanted to call without needing to type the number every time. But nothing more. She kept refusing to learn the “new and unnecessary technologies”.

What he is doing very important, specially during the coronavirus epidemic. I have found the elderly are the ones who suffer the most isolation, as they are the ones that are less connected. It reminds me of a video what was viral in social media about a grandmother who sang happy birthday to herself, alone, in her house. It broke my heart. This is why seemingly-small ideas like these can really make an impact and change people’s lives for the better.

Hi Alejandra! I can totally relate to your experience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been sympathizing for the elderly in nursing homes, who are not able to interact with families. Therefore, I started Facetime sessions with the elderly, either playing piano for them or chatting with them to help time pass by for them. However, I came across some obstacles, such as having difficulties getting on the video chat. She told me that although she enjoys having a companion to talk to, it is really hard for her to work with the technology, such as logging onto the computer. I was dejected for not being able to teach her about technology usage due to the quarantine lockdown.

Furthermore, I live on the opposite side of the globe from my grandmother. The only form of communicating and interacting is through technology. However, she also has hard time using it as well, and it really is painful to think that I am not able to spend most of the time actually talking rather than being lost on using the technology to communicate, especially when I want to spend as much time with her.

As of in the near future, I would like to create a nonprofit business, putting an emphasis on sharing our knowledge of technology to those who are not efficient with it.

Alejandra Seniors are often fixed in their ways and unwilling to change. They like what has been working for so many years. They have to be told that is ok to try things with their phone and not to be afraid to make a mistake. Your grandmother liked to make calls but she may like to learn how to text if she is encouraged to do so, and understand this is a popular way to communicating these days. If she tries it maybe she will like it. She may appreciate someone texting her an image or picture, something you can’t do over the phone.

This article really reflects the present situation of contemporary society.In just 20 years, from cover phones to smartphones, from 2G to 5G, from 8GB to 512GB, the change is so fast and dramatic that the elderly feel disjointed by the society. Take my family for instance. In the 5 years ago, my grandparents don’t know how to use the smartphones. But now, they can use the app like Wechat to communicate with others. When they go out and buy stuffs, they use the apple pay instead of paying the cash. This paves the convenient for them because the elderly will be easy to lost cash or coins on the way home. You know that they will be disappointed and complaint when they know they just lost several dollars. This problem can be solved now. The another advantage that I discovered is that seeing the doctor online. In the past, my grandfather had to get up early around 5.am and go to the hospital to make an appointment. In the morning, the temperature is very low and it is so tired for him to register. But now, they can make the appointment online through the app. This can largely save the time on the way to the hospital and queuing outside the gate. After finishing the doctor, The medicine will be mailed to the home, so that grandpa would not have to go to the hospital to get it again and again. This class sounds great since it helped a lot of “students” to learn the advanced technology. Nowadays, many young people are busy with their work and don’ have enough time to teach their parents to use the phones. This class just solves this embarrassment. Recently, my grandparents know a lot of knowledge about the prevention of COVID-19 and buying the food online without going to the market to reduce the risk of infection. The phones really make the life more convenient and these classes should be encouraged by the public. We should try our best to make the contribution to the society.

I agree with you, YuTao. The article really emphasizes the change that technology has brought onto the modern world and the transformational effect it can have on someone’s life. As technology evolves every day, so does mankind. And in this time and day, it’s up to the newer generation to educate the older generations about this change. Being part of the new generation myself, I’ve had to teach many family members about technology as well, such as setting up an app, purchasing something, or helping them understand how to communicate with their friends through the use of WeChat and similar apps. A couple of years ago, we went back to China to visit our family, and at the end of the trip, because the thought of saying goodbye and not speaking to them for a long time was so painful, we decided to get them new phones and teach them how to use them so we could communicate with the touch of a button whenever we missed each other. My cousin and I had to teach our uncles, aunts, and grandparents how to set up their new phones and WeChat because technology was still foreign to them at the time. And now, they use their phones just like anyone would in this day and time, despite the large age gap between us. At home, my mom constantly asks me questions about technology because she isn’t very technologically advanced, due to the fact that she immigrated here from China back when there was little technology available. However, now that she has one, she constantly asks me how to set things up, how to search things up, or how to manage her WeChat when she wants to call or FaceTime some of her friends. She’s also learned to use her phone to go places by using Google Maps. Using handheld maps and knowing the routes by heart is no longer needed with the advancement of technology. Because of the elderly’s age, getting places and doing things by themselves is not as easy as it was when they were younger. They aren’t able to support themselves, and their kids may be too busy with work and their own lives to be around them every hour of the day. With their newfound technology, they can call for assistance by simply pressing a button that will notify help, or call someone in case of an emergency. Technology could very well save someone’s life. Moreover, I feel like the class that Jordan has decided to teach could end up helping everyone, not just his students. His teaching the classes means that the elderly’s kids don’t need to teach them themselves, and instead can focus on working and supporting their family as a whole. They can rest assured knowing that their parents are safe and that they know what to do in case of an emergency. In addition, they could also learn to download some games for their own entertainment. It’s important to acknowledge Jordan for everything he’s done and to appreciate him for giving us this opportunity to experience something new that can help many. This example shows just how much technology has evolved over these years.

YuTao Thank you for your kind words. More people are no longer using money, so it would be helpful for seniors to use their phone to pay for things, maybe with credit card or Apple Pay. It is very helpful for seniors to be able to use electronics for medical purposes, like emailing with a doctor. I also teach in my class about a healthcare app where seniors can keep all of their medical information.

Experience is key in entrepreneurship. One of the few ways we have to better ourselves as entrepreneurs, and our businesses as life experiences, is going through an initial process of practice and learning, often a synonym for failure. Bonnie’s role in the case of this fantastic entrepreneurial story is exactly this one: giving Jordan a starting point, from which acknowledging the actions necessary to improve the quality of the business. As often stated throughout the article, connecting people has never had such an importance in the terrible crisis we are facing due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Older people are being left behind, not only technologically, but unfortunately socially too: missing tools, such as the previously discussed iPhones and laptops, and absent experience, make it much more difficult for grandmas and grandpas to go beyond the standard, old-fashioned phone call, in a world, in a time, where the closer we can get to having real-life meeting with our loved ones is joining a Zoom call. I personally find this a wonderful example of how we, as youngsters, can personally engage in making these terrible times lighter and less burdensome: each small action can make a difference, regardless of the size of our targeted audience, and our duty as world-citizen, I think, has never had such an important role in our everyday life.

Jacopo I’ve been very fortunate to have this entrepreneurial experience at this early age, and I hope to continue through my high school years so that I will be able to expand this program and scale it so it helps so many more people.

Similar to your experiences, I am also a sophomore and also volunteer to aid senior individuals in adapting to new technology! As a branch director in an organization called Teach Seniors Technology, I could not relate more on the initial difficulties in gaining customers. A few years ago, when I walked into my local community center to give my first lesson, there were only one or two students. In fact, there were many times during my first couple of months volunteering where no students had signed up for my weekly lessons! Though I wasn’t necessarily successful at first, I was also forced to adapt for these reasons. After reaching out to the community center staff, I was able to secure a classroom and promotion materials for my service which now serves several seniors each week.

Yet, I believe the “success” of my organization is determined by much more than the number of seniors who I teach. I often serve seniors from China, who have to bridge both the language barrier and the technological gap here in the United States. One of the ladies at my branch literally burst into joy when I taught her how to use Google Translate! In a world which is becoming increasingly interconnected and reliant on technology, I find that “success” of my volunteering branch rests on reintegrating these seniors into the technological area of society. I am overjoyed by the fact that there are other who share so much similarity with me. As more and more technological advancements are made, we must learn to bridge generational gaps so that our society as a whole can progress together with the technology that is being invented.

Jason It is wonderful to hear of another sophomore participating in a similar type of program.

Just like you, I help senior citizens but also adults from Central and South America with the technology and language barrier that thousands of people face in the United States. Technology is not common for lower classes in third world countries which makes it difficult for these adults and senior citizens to understand what seems like the basics of a smartphone for the majority of people in the US. It is such a joy when I see those which I help finally being able to communicate through Google Translate (An incredible tool I must say) and doing tasks like buying on Amazon, Instacart, or any online store. Observing this has made me come to the conclusion that we must come together as the new technology generation and help all of those individuals who have not gotten the opportunity to learn the incredible benefits the tech world brings; together we can close the digital divide across all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. We are the future and have yet to see great things created through technology.

Great response, Rossana! Do I see a team of digital-divide change makers forming here?

Technology helps join people, specially for the duration of this time of infinite quarantines. It is recommended that the older era is taking an hobby in technology, breaking the stereotype that the elderly reject new ideas. After all, technological know-how was once and is made to make humans’ lives easier. However, whilst analyzing each your comments, Vishnu and Charlie, alongside with the article, I see that in all the instances of older humans the use of technology, it is due to the fact the aged era have no different approaches to remain connected. Now, this sparked a curious thinking internal me—the aged are the use of tech due to the fact particularly at some stage in this time period, they genuinely want it to forestall themselves from turning into isolated. But when it comes to younger people, we simply use tech due to the fact we are so addicted to it. We attain for a smartphone due to the fact it’s simply what teenagers do. We text, FaceTime, and play multiplayer video games with every different simultaneously. For the elderly, the hazard to be in a position to join with their cherished ones is a massive spotlight in their life. They have no longer skilled such ease and luxurious for a great deal of their lives.

Despite efforts to teach the older generation about the newest developments in technology, it is saddening how much of the older generation is still very ignorant about it, especially since it is an era of technology.

One summer, I went to China to see my relatives, especially my grandmother. My grandmother lived in more rural parts of Sichuan, in Dazu. She didn’t need to use any technology; as long as she knew how to open the television and call using her corded home telephone, she could live happily growing plants in the back yard and raising chickens. She rarely went into the city to where my other relatives lived, they always visited her instead. However, to my delightful surprise, she proactively volunteered to wait for my arrival in Chongqing, one of the busiest cities in Sichuan.

When I arrived at my aunt’s apartment, where my grandma stayed, I asked jokingly why she decided to finally come to the city, she replied that it was because she hadn’t been here for so long. It was boring back home, and my grandma wanted to experience what life is like in the city for a while. She said that she would stay in the city until I left for America in a few weeks.

I was delighted and planned to take her to all sorts of fun places with great food that I had remembered from my last visit here. In Dazu, you could hardly find such boisterousness due to the lack of crowds. I was sure that she would enjoy it.

One morning, after I had officially settled in at my aunt’s house, my aunt and her husband told me that they were going to go somewhere for the rest of the day and needed me to take care of my grandmother. They said I could take my grandmother out to walk or do some other activities, but to be careful. I agreed with a smile.

My grandma was very happy this particular morning as well. She told me that she wanted to try exercising in the nearby park with some other old people; she wanted to make some friends here. I happily agreed. I walked her to the park and watched her dance and make merry with the folks there. After a few minutes, she could tell that I was a little restless and told me to play on my own and insisted that she could manage herself well. She said that she would go home when she wanted to and told me not to worry. I reluctantly agreed, told her the directions to the apartment building, and gave her the corresponding card. The apartment wasn’t that far, only one block away from the park. Then, I went off to a nearby stationary store to buy some souvenirs for my friends in America.

After some time, I picked the gifts that caught my fancy and went on the line to pay. The store was very popular and so the line was very long as well. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, I finally got out of the line and started my way home. In the distance, I saw a familiar figure. I panicked and hurriedly ran to the entrance of the apartment.

My grandma stood in the burning sun, her arms hung down at her sides, watching the pedestrians. Apparently, she had a squabble with the people from the park almost immediately after I left. She wasn’t in the mood to dance anymore, so she went home. However, the problem is that she didn’t know how to open the more technologically advanced apartment door. To me, the door system was very simple, you just had to swipe a card, but my grandmother never had to use this sort of system, she only ever needed a key. My grandma thought that you just had to press the card against the door or something. She also forgot how to call using the smartphone that was given to her. I also didn’t think it was necessary enough to teach my grandmother how to open the door since it seemed natural to me.

This story truly shows the importance of communication and the need to help the older generation with technology.

“When are you coming back?” These words were music to my 15-year-old ears. I had just helped fix the internet connectivity issue for Ms. Jacobson, one of the residents at Sequoias’, a senior residential facility, where I was volunteering to help seniors with their tech issues in the summer after my freshman year. Ms. Jacobson sent a very nice thank you note about the help she received from me to the Services Director at Sequoias who passed it on to me. The note, painstakingly written in spidery cursive must have taken Ms. Jacobson some time to write and is still cherished by me. The experience with helping seniors with their tech issues and entertaining them with piano recitals helped me get more attuned to the needs of my own grandparents. My two sets of grandparents are separated by a decade and come from similar backgrounds but have very different life experiences. One set of grandparents who live with us are older, technologically challenged, and can call on us anytime to help them operate the phone, the TV and other gadgets. They prefer to read the actual newspaper despite efforts to get them to read news online, and prefer talking on the phone instead of using Facetime. The younger set of grandparents who live in India have a large social circle, live on their own, and while still technologically challenged, have learned the basics of how to use a smartphone, browse the internet, and order online. Jordan’s article made me reflect on my experience working with seniors, both in my own family and outside and I realized that seniors face the same challenges that students of all ages face. First of all, every student learns in their own unique way, much like some of Jordan’s students – Roz and Rabbi Haskel. Some are visual learners, some need more time to read and absorb information on their own, etc. Secondly, each student has different capabilities and interests. Some like one set of my grandparents did not have much interest in learning how to use technology as they were happy with the old ways and could always ask us for help if they needed it. The other set of grandparents found ways to learn the basics that they needed to fulfill their needs as they were living on their own. There is also a social and cultural context to this. More and more seniors are now forced to live on their own, either in their homes or in senior facilities. Those that do not live with family face loneliness among other issues, and do need to know some basics such as texting, online searching and ordering, connecting with their medical provider online, etc. to stay safe, independent, and connected. The need to stay connected has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the issue with being connected is that not only are seniors more vulnerable to scams, they are also very gullible when it comes to fake news. I have had to constantly remind my grandparents who treat WhatsApp and Facebook as reliable news sources that everything they read there is not always true. The other issue is the plethora of apps, tools, and websites that can be overwhelming for seniors. I noticed this issue after working with a couple of seniors at Sequoias and created a home page for every senior I worked with, that contained shortcuts/icons for their most frequently used apps and websites for easy access. Perhaps in all of this, there is an opportunity to create senior-friendly apps and devices, but unfortunately, this is not a coveted demographic for tech companies and marketers. There is certainly a need to help seniors learn tech basics which can enrich and simplify their life. I applaud Jordan’s efforts to provide this valuable service to seniors in his community. However, the bigger question I ponder is that why are seniors put into this position in the first place where instead of enjoying time with their families, they are forced to learn new skills, especially when many have impacted cognitive skills which makes learning new things harder. Additionally, we are only talking about a subset of the senior population. There is a big population of seniors living in poverty who have more pressing issues such as survival to deal with. My own experience with my grandparents and with seniors I worked with is that every single one of them would have preferred to live with their families, surrounded by their children and grandchildren instead of connecting with them over facetime and group chats. In fact, the percentage of multigenerational families in the United States has continued to rise, primarily due to financial necessity. While one size does not fit all and every family has their own unique challenges, perhaps it’s time for us as a society to take a closer look at how best to support the needs of our senior population, given the increased life expectancy in the United States.

Hey, Jatin. I really enjoyed reading your thoughtful post and response. What I love most is that you bring up some broader issues that really add value to the “seniors and technology” conversation. I’ve always admired certain cultures — India for one — where families place more emphasis on caring for and living with their elders, the people without whom they would not even exist. The questions you raise about supporting our senior population are so important! We deliver them meals, help them connect, even give them a ride to the market, but we don’t go beyond to the point of human companionship and connection at a time when they need it most.

The age of smartphones has progressed so quickly that the fact the first iPhone originated just over ten years ago may come as a surprise to many. This development is only one example of a world industrializing at an unprecedented rate. Despite making communication and practically every other aspect of life easier, this revolution may not apply to all — the elderly, as you stated, are often not kept up to date to these new technologies. However, it must be noted that other adults may also not be kept up to date. I believe my parents are a prime example of this. They both immigrated to the United States in the 1980s and made a decent living running a restaurant. However, when it came time to digitalize, they struggled and required my older sister’s assistance to facilitate this new aspect of the business. Now that she’s off to college, it’s my turn to fulfill this position of filling out online documents and forms. This is a growing problem as it is a given that technology will only advance forward, regardless of whether there are those who are unable to utilize these new advantages. That is why I find programs like yours to be so fascinating and thoughtful. My mother has recently taken up taking computer classes, where she learns basic computer navigation skills. It is essential for the whole population to collectively adapt as a whole.

Alvin I appreciate the idea of showing seniors how to fill out forms online, and all of the elements involved in that process.

I certainly agree with Jordan that technology helps us stay connected. It is very important that we help the elderly members of the society on the use of technology. It is not easy to teach the older generation to use technology, as they are not quite familiar with it.

Moreover, I have also had a similar experience with my grandmother who just got a new iPhone and she did not know how to use it properly. Though she was able to make her daily phone calls and read her WhatsApp messages, she did not know how to access the Internet, do Face time and little other stuff. One day during the never-ending lockdown, I decided to teach my grandmother how to use her new phone. Since, she was having sleepless nights due to the change in her sleep cycle because of lockdown, I first taught her how to use YouTube so that she could put spiritual music on it and have good sleep. As days progressed I taught her how to access the daily news online, face timing, texting and many more things. This also gave me an opportunity to spend quality time with my grandmother, which I could not during my school days. My grandmother had a habit of doing all her office-work on paper so, later I started teaching her to use the laptop to check few mails and tally her accounts. This whole process not only helped her a great deal by making her work a lot easier, but also it helped me become more patient by answering the same quarries that she had again and again.

There have been vast advancements in technology over the years and it has helped us in many ways, such as online classes and courses, which are the most helpful things at the moment. By helping the elderly members of the society as to how technology can be used, bridges the generation gap and will help the society progress faster.

I’ve spent a lot of time helping relatives with technology and sometimes it can get very frustrating but I remember that they didn’t grow up with this like we did. So I am more patient and don’t get mad because I love my relatives. What Jordan is doing is really important, especially during this pandemic. The elderly are the most impacted in my opinion, because many of them lack technological experience. His Zoom meetings are a great idea though, keeping the elderly learning and up to date with technology so they can stay connected.

The younger generation is lucky. Since we were young, we have had access to electronic products. Elders often see their grandchildren typing like a speed of light with two thumbs on the keyboard or on the phone, while they themselves can only type letter by letter or word by word with their index fingers. Many elders have only had access to technologies in the past 15 to 20 years. We sometimes get annoyed when they want to learn how to use technology. But when thinking about our situations, aren’t we like them when we are trying to figure out how to solve a simple math question? We see the technologies are easy for us to learn and use, but the elders must take a long time to get used to using technologies.

The last time I saw my grandmother in person was five years ago, but we are able to FaceTime each other at least once a week. When I visited her in China five years ago, I saw her struggling to send a message on WeChat or even make a simple phone call. She would forget which group chat is which and would constantly send private messages in group chats with other family members in it. When I started teaching her how to use WeChat, I saw my grandma was listening to what I was saying very carefully. I taught her how to use WeChat for video calls, voice calls, and many other functions of the app. Later, she took her cellphone and just pressed on it casually trying to use the phone herself. This makes me think that the elders are still very curious to learn new things and look forward to more connections with others so as not to be disconnected from society.

Although she still struggles with using keyboards, my grandma has greatly increased her ability to use her phone. Now she is able to shop online and play simple games on her phone like mahjong and Candy Crush. She sends us many photos of places she has visited and writes that she wishes to take me on one of her trips. Communication is a bridge to build interpersonal relationships. From sharing feelings to expressing ideas, the world requires us to communicate with others. Not just through face-to-face communication, but also through technologies, we are able to share our feelings with others through a simple call or message. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we find communication important with family members or friends or co-workers through technologies. We have stayed home for more than one and a half months, and we would need to communicate with our parents almost every day and stay with them 24/7 face-to-face. We might not know how to have a conversation with them before, but with this pandemic, we might have no choice but to speak with them. We have learned that communicating with them is not as hard as we thought, and moreover, it is enjoyable to hear stories from our parents or other elders in the family. The elders are aging every day and we are growing up every day. It is hard for us to frequently see each other in real life, so technology is how we would connect and communicate with them.

What a sensational experience, Jordan! I enjoyed reading your stories, and I was astonished at how your involvement with elders related to mine.

As another member of Generation Z, technology and the rapid advancement of modern devices have always piqued my interest. Due to my eagerness, I grew up as a tech nerd, earning the title of “tech guy” in the family. “Alvin, why is my wifi not connecting?” “Alvin, what’s wrong with our TV?” “Alvin, why is my Bluetooth not connecting?” At least five times a day, I would hear such questions from my parents and brothers. From simple wifi connection problems to complicated home appliance control systems, I had to be present if the issues involved technology.

My title became significant as COVID invaded our lives. Similar to your experience, my grandparents struggled the most as the majority of platforms and services turned online. Since my grandparents were in a higher-risk group for exposure to COVID, they had to be extremely cautious. They could not go outside to get food or to their workplace. Whether they liked it or not, they had to stay home and adapt to online platforms to order food and attend Zoom meetings. And, as the “tech guy” of the family, I was responsible for providing comfort for my grandparents. Starting from scratch, I had to water down difficult technological terminologies such as Airdrop, iCloud, and Bluetooth to help them rapidly adapt to new lifestyles. Such experiences were similar to teaching elementary schoolers about calculus, in which I realized how uncomfortable it was for my grandparents to utilize new technologies. For instance, Bluetooth features offer wireless connections within the comfort of one’s own vicinity, which is one of the reasons why younger generations utilize Bluetooth: it provides comfort. On the other hand, older generations have an arduous time figuring out how to connect devices using Bluetooth since they are unfamiliar with such features. It is true that consumers are attracted to more comfortable features, and businesses provide new technologies that could reduce time management for consumers. However, it creates a downside for older generations, making them take longer to do something. While convenience for the younger generations increases with the use of technology, the older generations are having difficulty adapting to rapid technological advancement.

By observing the hardships of older generations from my grandparents’ perspective, I thought there was a need for action. Although there are various ways to address such issues, I focused on a fundamental need for everyone: food.

Therefore, I gathered up my close friends, Robert and Kaiden, who shared similar visions regarding this issue, and we came up with an accessible software that will make it approachable for elders to order food from nearby food centers. Essentially, our solution focused on a sustainable, healthy, and accessible approach that is similar to your experience helping elders order groceries. We developed a food ordering app that sends prepackaged, nutritious meals to seniors who sign up for it. Our sign-up system is very simple since it could be pre-installed on phones, involves one click of a button, and has well-explained and accessible payment methods; for example, this service allows the program to automatically extract money from the elder’s source of payment which minimizes the complicated process of payment process every. Ultimately, elders can readily receive healthy and hearty meals at their doorstep. We also utilized the Zoom recording function to create tutorials to help elders navigate through our process. These methods of solution could sound ironic at first, but I believe the most effective solution for elders who are uncomfortable with technology is to expose them to an extent of unfamiliarity to reduce their discomfort.

Like most other start-ups, our application lacks feasibility, so initially, we must test it on a small group of elders and make adjustments. If our test proves to be successful, we will launch our application, which will familiarize elders with technology and aid them in accepting and embracing modern devices. Moreover, I would like to expand this business into providing food and holding online classes about ordering goods, entertainment, media, and safe technology use for elders. I would happily like to share words with you about this matter, and I want to resemble your helping and enthusiastic attitude towards social advancement.

Wow! This is a really beautiful essay. It inspires me to see a fellow teenager making such a positive impact in the world today.

Technology is one of the major generational gaps we have today, and it is very refreshing and encouraging to see someone trying to bridge that gap. I love your teaching strategy of showing instead of just telling. That is truly one of the best ways to explain. You made an astounding impact in a dreary and challenging time for many. As someone who teaches children in a local orphanage home, I can relate to the indescribable feeling of joy you get when your student finally understands.

I will also like to place emphasis on not just teaching seniors how to navigate the internet, but also on teaching them how to be safe while navigating the internet! Cyber crimes are increasing in a very tremendous way all over the world, as more people look for illegal means to usurp unknowing people. This is one of the major fears of seniors and the older generation concerning technology. I believe that teaching them how to best stay safe in the ‘dangerous’ global world provided by the internet would not just be beneficial to them, but it would also help in further bridging the generational gap.

Chidera, your comment is one that caught my attention. Your comment highlights a crucial aspect of our society today: the technology generation gap. Most importantly, the issue of cyber crimes. Indeed, with the rapid advancement of technology, it becomes increasingly challenging for elderly to keep up. Even some of us from younger generations struggle with mastering the intricacies of various tools and software, like navigating Google spreadsheets.

But you draw attention to the pressing issue of cybersecurity and cybercrime, which poses a significant threat to people of all ages, including the elderly. Even myself, who is clearly not an elderly person, receives tons and tons of spam messages and emails trying to trick me of my money. While these scams may not work on us, they can be extremely tempting for the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to such tactics.

For example, my friend’s grandma was a victim to these scams, falling victim to a company promising to save money for her granddaughter’s college tuition fee. This just highlights your point on the emphasis and awareness that should be put on cyber crimes. It demonstrates how easily elderly individuals can be targeted and deceived and the urgency of addressing the dangers they face while navigating the Internet.

Likewise, in the effort to bridge the technology generation gap, I believe that it is crucial to not only teach the elderly how to use technology but also raise awareness to the public about the prevalence of cybercrime and the importance of robust cybersecurity. By empowering people of all ages with knowledge and strategies to protect themselves online, we can help them become more confident and secure users of digital tools.

I truly believe that with stronger cybersecurity implementation and the awareness we can teach people about, the challenges of cyber crimes is one we can focus less on. Allowing us to focus more on bridging this generational gap, being able to facetime our loved ones, and even send them cool gadgets.

I think this is an amazing and much needed program! People tend to alienate the elderly from our evolving world, waving them off as they say, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This is incredibly isolating and unfair to them. A month ago, I helped organize a ceremony for my high school, and many senior citizens came to support their grandchildren. The program for the ceremony was online, and I watched many of them struggle to scan a QR code. It was clear they were embarrassed, and they deserve to spend the day celebrating their family rather than feeling ashamed.

It’s also important to recognize that technology can help them stay busy. Many of the elderly cannot drive or live very far from their families. My grandparents live across the world in India. They are retired, and travel is very hard for them. They don’t typically have much to do, and they can get bored and demoralized. However, my grandpa stays busy and keeps his mind sharp by playing sudoku on his iPad. My grandma loves to play candy crush or call her relatives. Teaching the elderly how to use technology can be more helpful than most realize.

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Tips & Tricks: Teach your grandma to become a smartphone expert in 1 week

Monday, 19 Aug 2013

SMARTPHONE SAVVY: Want to teach your grandma how to use a smartphone? Take it step-by-step, a day at a time, and she will become an expert soon enough. - AFP

If you’re thinking of buying grandma a smartphone, or if she already has one but doesn’t know all the cool things she can do with it, here’s a step-by-step guide to get her up to speed in one week. Yes, with a little practice and patience, even grandma can go from a mobile newbie to smartphone expert!

Monday: Start with what she knows.

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9 Tips to Teach Your Grandparents Tech

It's never too old to learn

The world of technology is changing so quickly, that the daily tech skills you learned just ten years ago are probably irrelevant today. If you were an adult in the 80s, computer skills weren’t nearly as important as they are now. That generation of 30-something adults are now hitting retirement age and if they haven’t consciously kept up to date, modern technology can be quite intimidating. 

From smartphones to smart TVs, it’s a lot to take in all at once. It often falls to the younger generation to help their elders use and enjoy the benefits of modern tech. We have quite a lot of experience providing help and instruction to people of all ages. That experience has provided a number of key lessons when it comes to dealing with elderly users. 

If you’ve got users in your life who fall into that category, these general tips will help make the process of teaching technology much easier.

Never Condescend

Never judge someone for not knowing something about technology. There’s a long list of things any given person knows nothing about and someone who isn’t tech-savvy doesn’t deserve to be talked down to. 

Always have patience and respect for the person who you’re helping. If either party gets frustrated, take a time-out and try again after a few minutes. Listen to the person to understand where they’re coming from, don’t simply wait for your turn to speak.

Take Existing Knowledge Into Account

Each user you’re trying to help isn’t a blank slate! Take the time to get a handle on what your user already knows. Older users may actually have technical knowledge that’s out of date, but can still be built upon. 

So take the time to assess what level and type of knowledge someone has and adapt your instruction to match it.

Be Aware Of Physical Limitations

Many older users have problems with their eyesight, hearing, dexterity and even the speed with which they can follow instructions. Be open about this and ask that you be told of any issues such as these coming to the fore. 

Using accessibility features such as a screen magnifier or voice controls can be a part of your lesson. Older users might be dissuaded because of these problems and be unaware of the many features modern devices have to compensate for them.

Explain Yourself

Don’t assume that the person you’re trying to help isn’t smart enough to understand what’s going on under the hood. If you explain it well enough, it’s possible to help anyone understand how something works in principle. 

So don’t dismiss questions about the technology itself or give needlessly simple answers. If understanding the nature of a particular technology will help the person use a device or application better, proactively include those explanations.

Chill With The Jargon

Jargon is a good tool for knowledgeable people in a field to efficiently talk to each other, but it’s also a major barrier to entry for anyone who isn’t already an insider. 

In practical terms this means you should not use jargon tech terms unless absolutely necessary. Instead explain things in common parlance, using terms that most people would know.

Encourage a Hands-On Approach

As far as possible, you should let the person you’re trying to teach do everything themselves. Resist the urge to take over, even as a demonstration. Instead, have them act out your instructions using their own hands. 

There’s an ocean of difference between passively watching someone do something and doing it yourself. So give them every opportunity to get hands-on time.

Focus On Building Confidence

Fear is a major factor when dealing with technology. In turn, fear is driven by the unknown. If you don’t understand something, it’s easy to find it scary. 

So while direct and clear instruction is still very important, if you want older users to really “get” the technology you’re trying to explain to them, it’s important to replace fear with confidence.

You should make it clear that you can’t “break” something just by using it. As long as someone’s crucial information is backed up or safely in the cloud, the worst that can happen is having to reset something. 

The best way to learn a specific piece of tech is to play with it freely. Making mistakes is an important part of learning and modern devices are pretty foolproof. So make a point of allaying these worries and encouraging the person to explore freely.

Teach Them To Fish With a Problem-Solving Mindset

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when teaching someone about technology, is to have them memorize a rote set of instructions in order to accomplish a specific task. Why? Because as soon as something off-script happens, the user needs to get someone to help them.

Instead, it’s better to instill a problem-solving attitude when it comes to technology. If they encounter an error or something happens that wasn’t covered in the instructions, encourage a Google search and independent attempts at fixing the issue before calling for help.

Always Keep it Relevant!

Adult education, referred to as andragogy , has a big cardinal rule – keep it relevant. 

Adults learners value their time and want to know what the practical application of a piece of knowledge is. So, unless the individual is interested in the technology for its own sake, you’ll get much better results by always framing information in terms of its relevance and usefulness.

No One Is Too Old To Learn

The stereotype of older people being unable to learn anything about new technology is a complete myth. We know plenty of people who were at retirement age when they learned skills like coding or desktop support. 

Which means you have to park your prejudices when helping older users get to grips with new technology. After all, how would you like to be treated if the roles were reversed?

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Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and instructor. Sydney has been a professional technology writer for more than five years and covers topics such as VR, Gaming, Cyber security and Transhumanism. Read Sydney's Full Bio

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5 Things To Teach Your Grandparents On Their Smartphones

July 26, 2021 3 min read

With the world shifting towards digitalisation, more and more day to day activities are moving online. This phenomenon has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the pioneer generation getting left behind.

Instead of letting this digital transformation cause a divide between the different demographics, why not teach our elderly loved ones a few simple functions on their smartphones! Not only can this help to integrate them into society, it also empowers them to enjoy the benefits of technology that can serve as a form of entertainment to them. Additionally, they are great conversation starters and a fun way to bring the family together.

Here are 5 simple smartphone functions that you can teach them today!

1. Setting an Alarm or Timer

Being forgetful is a common factor of ageing. Instead of having to watch the clock and rely on their memory to complete day to day tasks, why not teach them how to set alarms and timers on their smartphones. This is especially useful for the elderly who like to cook, or even as small reminders for daily tasks such as taking medication.

2. WhatsApp Messaging

Using smartphones may be very foreign to the elderly and many of them also struggle to type messages due to age-related vision issues. Therefore, we can teach them the different features of WhatsApp such as voice   messaging, sending stickers, pictures and videos . To them, talking is the easiest form of communication and hence many of them like to make calls to communicate with others. Sending voice messages are a great substitute for text messages, especially when we are unable to pick up calls.

Apart from voice messages, why not help your grandparents download some cute stickers to their WhatsApp keyboard! Stickers are a fun and engaging way to entertain our elderly loved ones, and these can even empower them to express their feelings easily. 

Another thing we can teach them is to send pictures and videos. This would be extremely useful if they need help with something, and the problem can be better communicated if they can show it visually. Additionally, you can use your personal WhatsApp account to send them some family photos for them to look through and reminiscence on when they are bored. Not only does this engage them, it also stimulates their mind to help them recall and reflect on their memories!

3. WhatsApp Video and Voice Calls

As mentioned above, voice calling is the most popular form of communication among older adults and hence we can teach them how to do so on WhatsApp. Additionally, why not take a step further and teach your grandparents video calling! WhatsApp even allows video calls that can be done in groups of up to 8 people.

Both voice and video calling is completely free on WhatsApp, allowing them to spend as much time as they want chit-chatting with their friends and family without worrying about the cost. Especially in the current pandemic where face-to-face interactions are limited, this is a great bonding activity for both the elderly and family to remain close despite the restrictions.

4. Scanning QR codes

From online payment methods to the mandatory TraceTogether application that we use everyday, QR codes are progressively being integrated into our everyday lives. Even in areas frequented by the older generation such as hawker centres, e-payment applications like PayLah!, PayNow and GrabPay are increasingly being used. Therefore, setting up and then teaching them how to scan QR codes can be another useful smartphone function to teach them.

However, do take note that they would need to have internet connection or mobile data to use these functions outdoors!

5. Create an Instagram account for them

This may seem silly, but creating an Instagram account for your grandparents is actually a very fun idea. Not only can they look back at their old photos, they can also browse the photo updates from their family and friends . At the same time, those family and friends will also be updated about how your grandparents are doing. The Instagram interface is very simple and therefore just letting them scroll through the Instagram feed and their own profile will keep them entertained.

You can check out Grandma Hong’s very own Instagram account @hotahmatan !

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Ten Tips for Teaching Grandparents Technology

Whenever I spend the weekend at my grandparents’ house, I can always count on getting a question or two about technology.

One weekend, I spent hours going through my grandmother’s inbox. I deleted junk mail, blocked spam email addresses, then showed her how to sort, save, and delete emails on her own. Another weekend, I sat with her and sifted through the accounts she was following on Instagram . (As it turned out, she was following mostly strangers!)

From smartphones to spreadsheets, I don’t mind offering assistance where I can. However, I completely understand—probably better than most—how teaching older adults technology can get very frustrating very fast.

The next time you’re headed over the river and through the woods, keep these ten tips in mind while helping grandparents with technology.

Explain How Using Technology Can Help Them

Give your grandparents some insight into the ways technology can enrich their lives . It just might motivate them to jump right in! If your grandparents understand how technology can help them, they may be more willing to push through when the going gets tough.

Talk about these benefits when teaching grandparents technology:

• They can keep in touch with old friends, their kids, and their grandchildren through text, email, and social media. These options can alert them of local news and events, too!
• They can use the camera on their smartphone or tablet to take pictures while they’re making memories. Later, they can send those pictures to loved ones in a text or email.
• They can perform a Google search to catch up on current events, look for recipes or quilt patterns, and find videos that teach them new skills.
• They can use an Internet browser or app to simplify errands like grocery shopping, ordering food, and banking.

Remember Their Physical Limitations

None of us are immune to the effects of aging. As we get older, it’s extremely common to experience hearing loss, vision changes, and dexterity restrictions. Before you begin your conversation about technology challenges, ask your grandparent if there’s any particular hindrance that’s preventing them from comfortably using technology.

Maybe the text on their tablet is too small for them to read, even with glasses. Maybe the keyboard on their smartphone is too difficult to use without making repeated mistakes. Or maybe they’re unable to hear their ringtone when they receive a phone call.

What your grandparent may not know is that these problems can be fixed! Walk your grandparent through their devices’ accessibility settings and features . Show them how they can increase their font size, zoom in and out on their screen, have their text messages read aloud to them, and utilize voice-to-text capability.

There are so many ways technology has adapted to accommodate those with unique limitations. Your grandparent shouldn’t let their limitations stop them from learning how to use technology!

Ask Questions for Clarity

Miscommunication can be a major pain point when younger adults try teaching older adults technology. Talking past each other, misunderstanding one another, losing patience—it happens to the best of us.

Listen closely to your grandparents as they explain the trouble they’re having with technology. If it’s not immediately clear what they’re struggling with, ask follow-up questions to better identify their specific problem.

Don’t make assumptions about what they’re attempting to say, especially if that assumption implies your grandparent doesn’t know anything about technology.

Respond in Ways They Can Understand

Your grandparents weren’t born yesterday! They’ve been around a while, and they’ve seen more change than any of us are likely to see in our lifetimes.

Grandparents went from rotary phones to landline telephones to smartphones, and from typewriters to desktop computers to tablets. That’s a lot of development in a short span of time! Your grandparents do understand how technology has advanced, they may just be a bit behind. (Can you blame them? Even I, a Millennial, can’t keep up with the latest iPhone model!)

When helping grandparents with technology, explain how it works using plain language. Skip the jargon and technical terms they won’t understand. (They don’t need to know it all, anyway.) Make analogies and connections that will help them visualize the concepts and processes you’re describing. Keep it simple!

Offer Visual Aids or Printed Instructions

While teaching grandparents technology, don’t be afraid to get creative. Use visual aids like illustrations, diagrams, and screenshots to support what you’re trying to teach. Especially for more visual learners, seeing a physical representation of what their screen should look like or how certain features are accessed can help cement concepts into their brain.

Once you’ve taught your grandparent something new about technology, consider leaving an illustrated guide or step-by-step instructions they can use as a reference in the future.

Take a Time-Out When Needed

When the pressure is building and you’ve nearly blown your lid, take a break and walk away. Your relationship with your grandparent is far more important than explaining how to set up and use an email account !

If anyone is getting frustrated, take a time-out and cool off. When you’re all ready and feeling more levelheaded, revisit the conversation and give it another go.

Eliminate What They Don’t Need

Most smartphones, computers, tablets, and other devices come with all sorts of apps and features pre-installed. Sort through these apps and features with your grandparent to determine what they’ll use and what they won’t.

The less of a mess they see on their screen, the better. Too many apps can be overwhelming and confusing for anyone, regardless of age!

Teach Internet Search Basics

After giving your grandparent an overview of the Internet, set aside some time to teach them how to perform an Internet search. With this knowledge, they can turn to an Internet search for assistance instead of reaching for the phone to call someone.

Knowing how to use search engines like Google and video platforms like YouTube can empower your grandparent. Having the tools they need to find answers on their own builds their confidence!

Leave your grandparent a list of helpful websites they can turn to for tips. While search engines should be able to assist with just about anything they need, websites like TechBoomers are designed to educate older folks in the simplest of terms. Whenever you find a phenomenal resource for your grandparent, add it to the list!

Give Them a Cybersecurity Crash Course

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report from 2021, the elderly are more likely to fall victim to cyber criminals than any other group. Those over the age of 60 continue to lose the most money to Internet crimes every year—in 2021, those losses totaled $1.68 billion!

What are Internet crimes? The list gets longer and longer as technology advances, but here are some of the most common Internet crimes impacting older adults:

• Breach of personal data
• Identity theft
• Romance fraud
• Fraudulent technical support
• Investment scams

While you don’t want to scare your grandparent out of using technology, it’s important they be aware of the risks. The elderly are commonly targeted for many reasons, but largely because they often don’t understand the complexities of technology and how it can be used to harm them.

Teach your grandparent basic internet safety rules like how to keep their personal information private . Also remind them of common-sense tips such as avoiding suspicious links and ignoring phone calls or text messages from numbers they don’t recognize.

Reassure Them That They’re Doing Great

Many older adults don’t just hesitate to use technology because it’s difficult to learn. Like anyone, they fear what they don’t know or understand. When you’re in that position, technology can feel intimidating and impossible to learn.

Help your grandparent build their technology confidence through a hands-on approach. Give them a quick overview or demonstration, then let your grandparent try for themselves! When you allow them to freely navigate their devices, they’ll learn by doing.

Don’t forget to remind them that they’re never too old to learn something new, and that they’re doing great!

If you have an aging parent or grandparent who doesn’t want to fuss with the latest smartphone technology, consider purchasing a Troomi phone for them instead. Though designed with kids in mind, older adults can also benefit from a smartphone with limited features and added safety measures. Click here to learn more about how Troomi can help!

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A guide to teaching elderly parents how to use a smartphone

Have you ever wondered how eight-year-olds can intuitively use smartphones whereas seniors with rich life experience find it difficult to understand them? The elderly are ‘digitally unprepared’ because they grew up without the help of such technology. Teaching them can be difficult but it is important if you don’t want to deprive them of all the benefits of using a smartphone. Here are the steps you may follow to teach your elderly family to use a smartphone:

1. Understand the elderly psychology

Every elderly is different and they may have different reasons for not trying to use a smartphone. Some may feel intimidated due to unfamiliarity and information overload. Others may feel less confident or irritated due to poor eyesight or age-related hearing loss. Your goal should be to understand their psychology and physical health to make better teaching decisions.

If your parents simply lack an interest, you could motivate them by discussing how a smartphone would help them to stay in constant contact with family and friends.

2. Mentally prepare yourself

Teaching can be a frustrating experience at times but you should always take it easy. Be patient with them because learning something new is hard but everybody gets better with the correct practice and time. Don’t overload them with too much information at the beginning and avoid technical jargon as much as possible. Teach them slowly and as clearly as possible to avoid confusion.

Encourage them to practice and try things on their own without your interference and let them know that it is okay to make mistakes. 

3. Set up a suitable device for use

Smartphones come in all shapes and sizes and you must select a suitable device for your elderly parents to use based on their needs. Phones designed for seniors are easy to start with. Consider the pros and cons of choosing a device with a bigger screen vs more weight or a slimmer smartphone vs using a back cover with it. You may even purchase a tablet if that appeals more to your parents.

It is important to set up the smartphone beforehand in a way that makes it easier to use for the elderly. Consider switching the fonts to larger than normal, remove unnecessary third-party apps, set up Google and Apple IDs, connect to WiFi, enable cloud backups, and create shortcuts to important apps on the home screen.

4. Teach the basics and essentials

The final step is to orient them with basic functions such as charging the device, adjusting the volume, answering and accepting calls as well as sending and reading messages, etc. Make them practice swipe gestures and demonstrate how taps differ from clicks. Also, familiarize them with buttons and icons such as the WiFi icon, battery icon, back button, home button, camera, task manager, etc.

Once they grow more confident with using the basic functionalities of their smartphone, you may start teaching them how to use apps to order food, book a cab, or even banking. Install useful apps like WhatsApp or YouTube and games like Candy Crush which they might want to play.

It is also a good idea to encourage them to attend any smartphone classes in their neighbourhood where they can learn how to use a smartphone and interact with other like-minded people their age. It can be a great learning environment and a fun way to spend their time.

The ONY Phone is the ideal smartphone launcher app created specifically for older adults. It’s the senior citizen phone app that comes with large icons and text to ensure seniors access the apps they need with ease. Writing a message, modifying settings or accessing the torch function is a lot easier, since everything is really convenient. Plus, ONY Phone can easily be customized based on your senior’s needs and be installed on their own smartphone.

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How to Set Up a Smartphone for Someone Who’s Never Used One

Informational

Introduce someone to a smartphone (or tablet, for that matter) for the first time, and you’ll quickly realize how much you’ve taken for granted. From swiping to unlock and tapping to answer calls, here are the basics you’ll have to show your smartphone newbie.

I recently gave my 70-year-old mother-in-law a smartphone for her birthday. It’s the first smartphone she’s ever had, and her first experience with any kind of computer. While it felt wonderful to bring someone into the modern, mobile computing world, I also feared having to field “How do I…?” questions every day for the rest of my life. Questions like: How do I make a phone call? Where did that call go? And what do all these beeping noises mean?

If you find yourself in a situation like this, don’t worry. You can teach your smartphone student the basics he or she will use probably 90% of the time and offer the tools to learn more advanced tricks at their own pace.

Set Up the Phone For Them

Some things you can set up in advance and then show them later if necessary, while other things like navigating around the phone and downloading apps are probably best demonstrated in person (see the next section for that).

For example, you can insert the SIM card (if needed), set up a new Gmail or iTunes account, turn on screen lock, and install basic apps without the person looking over your shoulder. The Android and iOS startup screens conveniently walk you through setting up the new device (if you’re giving someone your old phone, set it back to its factory settings first), but here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Save their login information.  After setting up their new user account for iTunes or Google, add their login information to your password manager, because at some point in the future, you’ll need to retrieve it for them. Password managers like LastPass and 1Password can help you generate a long password that’s pronouncable and thus easy for them to remember.
• Enable Find My Phone.  During the setup process in iOS, make sure you choose yes to activating Find My iPhone. Android users can go into the Google Settings app and Android Device Manager to enable remote wipes. Both of these will help locate the phone if it gets stolen or, perhaps more likely, lost under a seat cushion.
• Set up the lock screen.  Add a passcode lock to secure the device (in iOS, this is under Settings > General > Passcode Lock. In Android, it’s Settings > Security > Screen lock). Alternately, if the phone has a fingerprint scanner (like the iPhone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S5), you can set that up with the person (fun!). You can also add owner information in the same Security screen in Android and/or set the wallpaper up to add emergency contact information to the lock screen.

Set Up the Most Important Shortcuts

You probably know which apps the person will most likely use regularly, so put them front and center on the home screen and favorites tray, if they’re not already arranged there. The obvious ones are the web browser, contacts, photos, camera, calendar, maps, and messaging apps. I set up shortcuts to important contacts on my mother-in-law’s Android home screen, because she’s going to use her smartphone mostly as a phone, and that one-touch dialing is a big deal for her.

Show Them What All the Buttons Do

There are two kinds of people in this world: The kind who instantly push all of the buttons to see what they do, and the kind who want you to tell them which buttons to press. I’m going to be ageist here, but babies and toddlers seem to fall into the former category (they’ll not only push the buttons, they’ll smash them and gnaw at them, perhaps learning something along the way), while folks more careful around expensive technology (i.e., your parents and grandparents) are warier of doing something wrong by pushing random buttons.

The first thing to teach is what the main buttons do: How to turn the device on and off, raise or lower the volume, and get back the home screen. These are the three buttons common to both Android and iPhone devices. You’ll also want to show them the ports: Where to plug in the charger, headphones, and any removable media. (This might seem absurdly obvious, but few people actually read the manual and beginners won’t know these things off the bat.)

Android devices also add a standard set of buttons on the bottom: Home, back, menu, and (sometimes) search. You’ll have to demonstrate what those are for too. For example, “This back arrow takes you to the last level in an app or back a page when browsing this web” or “This double box button shows you all of the apps you have open.”

Teach Them How to Get Around and Use Apps

Swiping, tapping, tapping, and holding are new skills for people who’ve never had a touch device. You’ll need to demonstrate how to move between screens, switch between apps, swipe down for the notifications bar (and search on iOS), and how to move things around by touching and dragging.

The built-in apps you should help them play around with include:

• Phone and contacts:  how to add contacts, answer an incoming call, and even how to hang up the phone (Seriously, don’t take anything for granted.)
• Camera:  how to focus, take a photo, share photos via email or text message, and where the photos end up
• Email:  how to send an email, move emails around, create attachments
• App Store:  how to search it, download apps, where they end up
• Notification Center:  what it shows you
• Settings:  how to quickly access main settings in iOS Control Center or from Android’s top bar
• Messages:  how to send and read text messages

Depending on the person, you may or may not want to show them how to share web pages via email (are they avid Fwd:ers?) or use Facebook.

It’s a lot of ground to cover, so while the person is getting to know the device, try to have patience. A few reference sources that can help when you’re not around:

• Apple’s  iPhone 5 (and earlier) tips and tricks page
• About.com’s  introduction to the iPhone
• The  Tips for iPhone  app (free)
• How To Geek’s  Welcome to Android post
• 140 Android Tips & Tricks app (free)

Source:  lifehacker.com

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Teaching Your Elderly Family Member to Use a Cell Phone

We grow up with the assumption that our parents know everything. Up until we hit the double digit years of our pubescent youth, our parents and our elders have the answers to all of life’s questions, from how to brush one’s teeth to why the sky is blue.

However, once we become teenagers, the complete opposite seems to be true. Mom and Dad know absolutely nothing. We question each decision, rule, and request with every stubborn and rebellious bone in our bodies. Then, after we’ve successfully survived our own transition through teens, once again our parents return to their roles as the ever-knowing authority figures we so respected as kids. Mom and Dad seem to know everything about navigating adulthood, from cars to careers to compound mortgages.

At some point along this tumultuous parent-child cycle, we ourselves become adults with the aspiring hope to someday hold as much wisdom as our elders before us. Sure, we’ve come to learn they may not know everything, but the gifts of knowledge they impart upon us over the years is massive. One of the benefits of becoming an adult ourselves is being able to begin to repay our parents for all that kindness with a little bit of our own learned expertise.

For many parents, seniors, and elderly individuals in the latter years of their life, technology can be intimidating. The constantly changing and always updating nature of everything from cameras to computers frequently keeps older generations from reaping the benefits offered by some of today’s newest tech innovations.

Thankfully, this is an area where your skills and smarts can teach Mom and Dad a thing or two. Here’s how to teach your elderly loved ones how to use a cell phone.

Pick the Proper Device

Today’s cell phones come in all shapes and sizes, from the latest and greatest camera/video/tablet hybrids to the simple, standard phone-only options that started it all. There are flip phones and smartphones, touch screen phones and keypad phones. You can even find a senior cell phone designed specifically for older populations!

The first step in teaching your elderly loved one how to use a cell phone is by outfitting them with one that’s just right for their level of need and use. Too complicated a phone and it might overwhelm them, inhibiting or discouraging them from using it.

On the contrary, some cell phone-savvy parents end up using their phone more than their offspring. An overly outdated model might likewise be a bad fit. Explore the options available with your best cell phone provider and determine which phone and its potential capabilities are best for your older family members.

Make It Simple, Make It Clear

Introducing a cell phone into your elderly one’s life shouldn’t be overwhelming. Strive to make the process as clear and easy as possible. Avoid using “tech speak” and complicated terminology that they may be unfamiliar with. It’s highly unlikely that if your parent is a cell phone novice that he or she will understand terns like “3G” or “IMAP”, so stick to simple, everyday language to describe things.

Likewise, keep the apps to a minimum in the beginning. Start slow and gently guide them through how to operate basic functions like volume, power, making and answering calls, and so forth before introducing helpful apps you think they might like.

Encourage Practice & Share Progress

Make the introduction of a cell phone a dual adventure. There’s always something new to learn when it comes to cell phones, so share your tips and tricks and make the entire experience one of equal exchanges of information.

Consider Classes

Elderly adults over the age of sixty-five typically have more time on their hands than the younger generations before them. Once parents enter into retirement, their schedules are a lot more welcoming of activities and hobbies, be it backgammon or bridge, cards, or quilting.

Affording your senior family members with the opportunity to meet new people while learning something new in the form of a technology-focused class is a great way to educate them on cell phone usage. Service providers, cell phone manufacturers, and even local community centers often offer free open-to-the-public introductory classes on phones, so see what’s available and sign your senior up!

Be Patient and Give Them Praise

Learning something new is not easy, whether you’re eight years old or eighty. For those individuals who’ve become so set in their ways with age, picking up a new skill will take ample time and energy. Try not to get frustrated with your elderly family members as they begin to use their cellular devices. Recognize their achievements and remember the days when they were so patient with you as you learned how to eat your first meal, ride your first bike, or parallel park your first car.

Contact qualified service providers for more tips on educating your seniors on smartphones to finding the best unlimited data plans and the cheapest unlimited cell phone plans.

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Teaching ageing parents to use a smartphone – you can teach an old mum new clicks!

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Technology can be an enabler in so many ways, but it can also be scary – especially for our ageing parents. I remember when my mum finally got a smartphone. Or rather, she surrendered to the idea after I needled and begged her to buy one. She finally gave in after I had resorted to making threats of being cut off from communication with me during an upcoming holiday, as I’d be using cheaper alternative of sending messages through the WhatsApp program along my travels, and this required a smartphone. So here’s my story of teaching ageing parents to use a smartphone.

How it happened

She brought it over with her, still in its box, when she was visiting me in Sydney from Johannesburg – giving us just three weeks for her to become proficient in using the device she’d named “The Tarantula” as it was black, scary and she didn’t want to touch it. Just the process of swiping and tapping rather than clicking the predicable buttons of her old-school Nokia was a lesson in itself. Then there was the QWERTY phone keyboard, which she wasn’t familiar with, as someone who’d never learned how to type or use a computer. Finding uppercase letters and learning where the symbols and numbers are was another major adjustment for her. “Why can’t I just press the buttons like on my old phone, give it back to me,” she wailed at one point. Teaching ageing parents to use a smartphone was going to be harder than I thought.

Then, something magical happened. My brother sent her photos of his sons. For the first time she could get them on her phone simply by tapping on the message. She could make their faces bigger and lovingly trace their features.  The five-year old left a couple of WhatsApp voice recordings telling his “Ouma” his news about building Lego rockets and warnings to look out for box jellyfish while she was in Australia.

Suddenly, she was hooked. She started sharing photos that she’d taken on her holiday back with her friends in South Africa and they replied quickly with their news and messages. Compared to previous trips, she was suddenly connected to her close community of friends and family members and wasn’t feeling isolated from being so far away from them. I knew we’d achieved success when she announced that The Tarantula was now being renamed to Alice in Wonderland!

Many nights I’d be in the kitchen making dinner, where she’d be sitting at the table tapping away while the phone regularly beeped with a raft of incoming messages. I joked that, just like with any modern teenager, I’d have to limit her screen time and that anyone looking in the window at that time would do a double-take as they saw the younger person doing the chores and cooking, while the older one was glued intently to their smartphone. I was so proud of her and truly blown away by how quickly she’d picked it up, within just a matter of days.

However, showing her the possibilities of the new technology after giving up her “nana phone” meant I learnt as much about her and myself, as she did about her new Samsung Galaxy. For this was truly a role-reversing experience. My mother, who’d I’d learned so much from over the course of my life, was suddenly fully dependent on me for teaching her skills that were second-nature to me.

Teaching an ageing parent takes patience

One of the biggest insights I had during this experience was that just like with any human interaction, one word said unkindly can unravel a relationship. I had to take my dose of patience tablets every morning to ensure that yet another question about something she was easily doing the day before didn’t burst her confidence because of my frustration. Just as she must have done for me endless times when I was learning to go to the toilet by myself or read when I was a child.

Secondly, my mum’s skills of being a Year One teacher for over forty years seemed to have rubbed off on me a little. It was so rewarding to see her progress from not knowing how to even turn the phone on, to enjoying the social connection offered by sharing photos and messages with friends. Who knew teaching ageing parents to use a smartphone could be so rewarding?

Coincidentally, I’d asked her to teach me to crochet if I taught her how to use the smartphone in a skills-swap, as she makes beautiful blankets and I’d wanted to learn this skill. Yet I was totally bamboozled by a simple crochet hook and ball of yarn, so, embarrassingly, by the end of the holiday mum was able to share multimedia with the world while I was still struggling with making chain stitches! Swiping, clicking and tapping on screens comes second nature to me but I had to go back to basics to learn how to make granny squares.

Some useful resources:

https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/ – Be Connected is an Australian government initiative committed to increasing the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australian. Its website has online courses to teach older Australians the basics of using digital devices and engaging with the internet. In addition, it links people to community organisations that can offer face-to-face help and support as well as supporting families to mentor a relative or friend to help them be more connected online.

Photo credit: My mum by Grazia Pecoraro (supplied)

Important note: This article is subject to copyright. Carers’ Circle is an Australian website and the information in this article might be specific to Australia. We do not provide health, legal, financial or other advice and this article should not be used for making decisions. You and others should seek advice from suitably qualified professionals. Any use you make of this article is at your own risk and to the extent permitted by law we disclaim all liability in connection with this article. You should read the Terms of use page on  carerscircle.com.au  for more details about this and the basis on which this article is provided.

Author:  Grazia Pecoraro

Grazia Pecoraro runs her own inclusion and diversity consulting business – Perspective Hive, in Sydney, Australia. She has an Honours degree in Communications majoring in English and Journalism (University of Johannesburg) and loves writing, cooking and travelling. She has completed a memoir to mark the idiosyncrasies of growing up with a Southern Italian father and been published on websites including Role Reboot and Mamamia. She is still working on mastering the art of crochet.

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How To Teach Technology To Seniors

Use this simple step-by-step process when you’re providing tech help.

Papa Pals offer tech help for older adults

Seniors and technology aren’t as mismatched as you might imagine. Many seniors today know how to use technology, navigating the internet and connecting on social media as seamlessly as younger generations. In fact, many people ages 65 and up are avid technology users.

Seniors and technology

But barriers do exist when it comes to accessing and using technology. Many people lack basic skills due to the cost, as well as life circumstances. Devices, plus internet service and cellular phone service, are too expensive for many budgets.

Technology changes quickly and unless you learn how to use it at school or work, it's even harder to stay current.

But help is available in the community from Papa Pals .

If you're teaching basic technology to seniors, use this simple step-by-step process when you’re providing help . You’ll find anyone, including students of all ages, can learn to use technology in no time.

Helpful ways you can help seniors learn new technology

1. start by addressing security concerns.

We should all be concerned about security and keeping our private information safe.  In an AARP study , 85% of adults ages 50 to 64 revealed that they were concerned about their privacy and data protection while on the internet.

Help your students by showing them how to set secure passwords and download a password manager app on their devices so they don’t have to remember all the passwords to log in.

Take a look at their privacy settings on social networks and show them how to set their information so that only friends can view it. Review privacy policies for websites where they might shop, bank, or share healthcare information and show them that the benefits, in most cases, outweigh the security risks.

2. Emphasize internet safety

Online scammers are always inventing new tactics. As a teacher of technology, be sure that you're up-to-date on the latest concerns, including scams that begin with a phone call.

Warn your students not to accept connection requests from anyone they don’t know on social media, never send personal information (such as credit card or social security numbers) via email, text or chat, and never click on suspicious links.

3. Take it slow

It’s always best to start small and have multiple sessions so you don’t give your students information overload.

You might start with a FaceTime or Messenger call while you are in the same building but in separate rooms. Or, help them choose their favorite photo (or take a selfie) for their social media profile picture.

4. Write it down

As you move slowly through the different tasks your students may want to complete using technology, encourage them to write it down. Provide a notebook where they can log passwords and usernames (in case the password manager app doesn’t work or they can’t log into it), the URLs of their most useful websites, and details on how to use their apps.

If they get lost or forget how to do something, they can jog their memory from their own handwriting.

5. Show patience—even when teaching gets repetitive

Ask any teacher and they'll tell you the importance of stopping frequently and taking time to answer questions.

Step away from the keyboard or mobile device and let your students complete the steps themselves. The more engaged they are, the more they will absorb.

You may need to repeat concepts or steps multiple times until your student gets the hang of using their favorite app or website. Tell them that’s okay. Remind them of times when they were the teacher and had to give their students several tries to get something right—whether it was teaching a child how to ride a bike or mentoring a new hire at work.

6. Guide them to free resources

Access to technology is about much more than knowing how to use it. Access is being able to afford devices in the first place.

The good news is that there are many programs to help people access free and low-cost devices, internet service, and cellular phone service.

We've compiled this list of free and inexpensive options to get you started. And, because devices are only as good as the broadband internet service they run on, we've included resources for low-cost home internet service. Plus, we've added a section about low-cost mobile phone service. Most of these resources are available to people ages 65 and up, but some are available to all ages.

7. Explore games to get used to technology

Games are a great way to get your students engaged with technology. Crossword puzzles, Scrabble, or Soduku are great places to start.

Download an app or give them a website and show them how to play from their device. You can even play interactive games like Words with Friends or Animal Crossing together—which is another great way to show people how technology can help them connect with others.

8. Adapt devices to meet physical needs

Many of us have challenges beyond simply learning how to use technology. Small touchscreens may be challenging for anyone with arthritis. Those with vision problems may not be able to read the words on a screen.

Many websites today are designed to be ADA-accessible, which means people can use a text reader app to hear the words written on the screen. You can also set the mobile device or computer resolution to make the words larger.

9. Help students keep their skills sharp

Encourage your students to practice using their computer or mobile device so they can get more comfortable with technology. Plan FaceTime or Zoom calls instead of regular calls, and interact on social media.

10. Support others in your community

If you're tech savvy and would like to teach tech in your community, consider becoming a Papa Pal companion caregiver. It's a flexible part-time role where you can give back to the community while earning extra income. As a Papa Pal, you can support seniors, older adults, and families with a variety of tasks, including teaching basic technology.

Get started teaching technology to seniors

Great teachers know that it's important to update your teaching skills on a regular basis. Begin your update with these 5 Tips for Teaching Technology to Seniors . Next, use this guide to learn how to get free and inexpensive devices, internet service, and cellular phone service for those who qualify.

Then, apply to become a Papa Pal .

Papa Pals teach basic technology

As a Papa Pal, you can put your tech skills to good use helping seniors and people in your community set up their own electronic devices, use apps, and navigate digital communications. It's a great job for kind, reliable people who want to give back while boosting their income.

No experience is needed to work as a Papa Pal. It's not a medical or nursing role.

The role of a  Papa Pal  varies from day to day. Some Papa Pals lend a hand around the house and help with errands, housekeeping, technology, and gardening. Others offer company on a walk around the neighborhood or provide transportation to help seniors and older adults get to important appointments.

Interested in getting started? Learn more here and apply to starting working as a Papa Pal companion caregiver today.

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7 Ways to Effectively Use Your Smartphone as a Learning Tool

• September 22, 2023
• Technology , Education

For years, smartphones have been labelled as distractions, particularly when it comes to academics. Everyone’s heard the criticisms: they scatter students’ attention, disrupt their focus, and generally deter them from learning. But as digital technology advances and education evolves, this narrative is proving increasingly erroneous. Modern smartphones offer a variety of features that can actually facilitate learning, from quick access to educational materials to streamlined organisation.

Aside from the usual calling and texting features, smartphones can serve as all-in-one educational platforms that offer a range of tools and features that benefit learners. Whether you’re studying for an exam or working on a group project, the utility of your smartphone can go beyond the conventional. And to maximise all these functionalities, a good data plan that can keep you consistently connected and informed is crucial. A SIM only plan comparison could assist you in identifying a plan that gives you both adequate data and affordability, allowing for uninterrupted access to educational resources.

To drive the point home, this article aims to provide practical insights into how you can transform your smartphone into a powerful tool for academic success. 

Reading E-Books and Audiobooks

The convenience of e-books and audiobooks has changed the reading game entirely for today’s students. No longer do you need to lug around heavy books or rush to the library before it closes. Instead, you can access the same materials at your leisure, wherever you are—perhaps while taking the MRT to school or waiting for a friend at a local hawker centre.

Furthermore, the shift to digital reading options is both an eco-friendly and a budget-conscious choice. You’re saving paper in addition to physical space, which aligns with growing global efforts to promote sustainability. Digital versions of books are also often more affordable than their physical counterparts, helping you make the most of your student budget.

Using Educational Apps

Today’s students are no longer dependent on the standardised teaching and learning methods you typically find in traditional classrooms. Educational apps give you access to a wider array of learning experiences, which you can go through at your own pace and shape according to your unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs. If you’re looking to hone your critical thinking and problem solves, for instance, you may benefit from more interactive apps. On the flipside, if it’s your working memory you need to improve, a simple flash card app may be just the thing.

The variety of subjects that educational apps cover is also noteworthy. Whether you’re preparing for a mathematics test, brushing up on your history, or trying to master a new language, there’s likely an app that can assist you. Students who are striving for a well-rounded education will find these apps invaluable for supplementing classroom learning and preparing for assessments.

Facilitating Better Note-Taking and Organisation

If you’ve constantly struggled with note-taking or keeping track of your daily calendar, a smartphone may prove an invaluable tool. You’re no longer confined to jotting down your notes on scraps of paper or physical notebooks. Instead, you’ll find you can take more structured and accessible notes on a smartphone. Try taking advantage of features like folders and search functions, which are common to most note-taking apps. These will make it easier to find, review, and revise your notes later.

Your smartphone can also serve as a planner. With calendar apps, you can set reminders for assignment due dates, examination periods, and other academic milestones. This ensures you won’t overlook important dates and can plan your study schedule more efficiently.

Collaborating and Communicating with Peers

Modern education has long placed a strong emphasis on collaboration between students. Working together gives you the opportunity to learn valuable things like cooperation and conflict resolution, and smartphones facilitate this learning experience in a host of ways. If you’re thinking about texting and voice calls, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Shared documents and cloud services allow for real-time collaboration, enabling you to work on group projects or study together with peers, even if physical meetings are challenging to arrange.

Apart from academic collaboration, smartphones enable more effortless communication with your instructors. You can easily send emails, share documents, or even schedule virtual meetings. It’s an efficient way to seek clarification on assignments or receive timely feedback, enhancing the overall learning experience.

File Sharing

File sharing used to be a tedious process, involving emails with large attachments or the use of external drives. Smartphones have streamlined this process significantly. File-sharing apps and cloud services enable you to send or receive documents, videos, or any other educational materials with just a few taps. Moreover, rather than doing simple one-on-one exchanges, you can share files with an entire class or study group at once, making it easier to distribute study materials or submissions. This also promotes a culture of collective learning, as students can share useful resources, notes, or even recorded lectures with each other easily.

Practicing Creative Skills

Smartphones are a powerful platform for creating content in addition to consuming it. Whether you’re interested in graphic design, music composition, photography, or video editing, there are various apps that can help you hone your creative skills. For instance, the right apps will enable you to sketch out a quick illustration for a class project or even compose a simple melody as part of your music coursework.

The possibilities are endless and not just confined to the arts. Even if you’re pursuing courses in the sciences or social studies, creative skills like problem-solving and critical thinking can be enhanced through targeted exercises and interactive scenarios available on apps. These apps offer a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and learn, thereby enriching your educational experience.

Leveraging Accessibility Features

Smartphones have helped raise the bar for inclusivity in modern education and made learning infinitely easier for students with disabilities. Features like screen readers and text-to-speech functionalities can facilitate more fulfilling learning experiences for students with visual or auditory impairments.

Moreover, many educational apps now come with features like subtitles for videos or audio descriptions for graphical content. This makes a wealth of information more accessible and ensures that students with diverse learning needs are not left behind. In short, smartphones are instrumental in democratising education and ensuring that it’s readily available to all, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities.

Smartphones have evolved from mere distractions to valuable educational resources, offering an array of tools and features that cater to diverse learning needs. By redefining the way that you think about this everyday device, you have the opportunity to transform your own academic experience and take ownership of your learning in meaningful and productive ways.

Will Fastiggi

Originally from England, Will is an Upper Primary Coordinator now living in Brazil. He is passionate about making the most of technology to enrich the education of students.

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Smartphone Essay

500 words essay on smartphone.

Smartphones have become a very important form of communication these days. It is impossible for a rational person to deny the advantages of smartphones as they are devices suitable for a wide variety of tasks. Let us try to understand smartphones along with their benefits with this smartphone essay.

                                                                                                                                    Smartphone Essay

Understanding the Smartphone

A smartphone is a mobile device that facilitates the combination of cellular and mobile computing functions into one single unit. Moreover, smartphones have stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems in comparison to feature phones.

The strong operating systems of smartphones make possible multimedia functionality, wider software, and the internet including web browsing. They also support core phone functions like text messaging and voice calls.

There are a number of metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit (IC) chips within a smartphone. Moreover, such chips include various sensors whose leveraging is possible by their software.

The marketing of early smartphones was primarily towards the enterprise market. Furthermore, the attempt of the smartphone manufacturers was to bridge the functionality of standalone personal digital assistant (PDA) devices along with support for cellular telephony. However, the early smartphones had problems of slow analogue cellular network, short battery life, and bulky size.

With the passage of time, experts were able to resolve these issues. Furthermore, this became possible with faster digital mobile data networks, miniaturization of MOS transistors down to sub-micron levels, and exponential scaling. Moreover, the development of more mature software platforms led to enhancement in the capability of smartphones.

Benefits of Smartphone

People can make use of smartphones to access the internet and find out information regarding almost anything. Furthermore, due to the portability of a smartphone, people can access the internet from any location, even while travelling.

Smartphones have greatly increased the rate of work. This is possible because smartphones facilitate a highly efficient and quick form of communication from anywhere. For example, a person can participate in an official business meeting, without wasting time, from the comfort of his home via a live video chat application of a smartphone.

Smartphones can also be of tremendous benefit to students in general. Furthermore, students can quickly resolve any issue related to studies by accessing the internet , using a calculator, reading a pdf file, or contacting a teacher. Most noteworthy, all of this is possible due to the smartphone.

People can get in touch with the larger global community by communicating and sharing their views via social media. Furthermore, this provides a suitable platform to express their views, conduct business with online transactions , or find new people or jobs. One can do all that from anywhere, thanks to the smartphone.

These were just a few benefits of smartphones. Overall, the total benefits of a smartphone are just too many to enumerate here. Most importantly, smartphones have made our lives more efficient as well as comfortable.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of Smartphone Essay

Smartphones have proven to be a revolution for human society. Furthermore, they have made the whole world united like never before. In spite of its demerits, there is no doubt that the smartphone is a tremendous blessing to mankind and it will continue to play a major role in its development.

FAQs For Smartphone Essay

Question 1: How is a smartphone different from a feature phone?

Answer 1: Smartphones have stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems when compared to feature phones. Furthermore, the smartphone can perform almost all computing functions that a feature phone can’t. The internet and camera capabilities of a feature phone are nowhere near as powerful as that of a smartphone.

Question 2: What is meant by a smartphone?

Answer 2: A smartphone refers to a handheld electronic device that facilitates a connection to a cellular network. Furthermore, smartphones let people access the internet, make phone calls, send text messages, along with a wide variety of functions that one can perform on a pc or a laptop. Overall, it is a fully functioning miniaturized computer.

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How students can use mobiles to learn english, by joanna norton, 19 may 2014 - 12:40.

Mobile technology is everywhere, but do you restrict or encourage it in your classroom? Educator, multimedia author and editor Joanna Norton shares tips about how English language teachers can use technology to their learners’ benefit. 

Technology is transforming how we communicate, socialise, play, shop and conduct business. These profound changes place pressure on the traditional models of language learning, such as teaching in a formal classroom setting. They also present us with amazing opportunities to re-design the way we teach and learn English.

Teaching with desktop computers vs mobile devices

I still use desktops in my class to access language-based websites, and use Google Docs to allow students to work together. You can also connect a desktop computer to a whiteboard and project Google Images onto it. It’s an invaluable resource for language teaching.

However, mobile devices allow you and your learners to interact seamlessly with each other, in both formal and informal learning contexts. For example, a teacher can encourage students to create a personal visual story about their daily routine. The student can take a series of snapshots of moments in their day — for example, their alarm clock, a toothbrush, a cup of coffee, their walk to work, etc. — and describe the actions to the teacher. For example, ‘I take a shower and get dressed…’ This will often highlight aspects of language that require teacher input.

Cameras and microphones are useful for learning English

Camera phones provide a great way to ask learners to ‘notice’ grammar around them. You can encourage students to take photos of street signs, menus, advertisements, or other examples of written English that they see around them. Spotting the misuse of apostrophes (‘s) or noticing incorrect spelling are my favourites.

Another useful tool is the recording function on mobile devices. Here are three examples:

• Learners can record themselves speaking English and share it with friends, who can offer feedback. This is a great opportunity to practise pronunciation.
• Learners can record conversations with native speakers on a range of topics and integrate them into projects.
• Learners can use the microphone creatively, and incorporate voice recordings into edited videos.

Mobile technology turns the question ‘What did you do last weekend?’ into a personal story, as learners can share with the group photos or videos of what they did, where they went, and how they felt. They can also share their social media activity, providing an opportunity to explore what their friends thought of the weekend.

Two apps I am using, and why

I’m interested in ways to personalise the learning experience, and encourage English language students of all ages to create and share their own learning content. Two apps that help me do this are  Vine  and  FiftyThree . Vine is a mobile app that allows its users to create and post short looping video clips. FiftyThree allows users to sketch, write, draw, outline and colour on the screen.

You could use Vine for a getting-to-know-you activity. Ask your students to create a funny or quirky video about themselves, and the rest of the group have to guess who it is.

You could use FiftyThree as a visual vocabulary notebook and encourage learners to draw an image of a word and store it for later use. I also use the app as a mobile sketchbook, primarily for the generation of ideas.

Seven tips for using mobile technology with success

Integrating technology into the classroom is a long-term strategy. If it’s to be sustainable, the following points should be considered.

• As a teacher, you need to engage with mobile technology yourself, before you can start to implement it into classroom practice.
• To make sure students don’t get distracted by social media, set clear learning objectives.  Find creative ways to use social media within lesson plans. Consider how mobile technology can be used for extension activities. ‘Why don’t you post an image of your work on your Facebook page?’, is more engaging than ‘We don’t use Facebook in this class’.
• If your school does not have a mobile learning policy, you need one for your class before you begin.
• Do some research. It takes a lot of time to find relevant, suitable apps. There is no moderation process in place, so even with paid apps, it is difficult to know whether or not they are suitable.
• Don’t overwhelm your class with technology. Learners often fail to recognise the benefits of technology for language learning. So it helps to introduce apps and mobile learning activities one at a time. Then, as a group, you can reflect on whether they are useful.
• If you do not have enough time to use mobile devices in class, think how they could be used for informal learning outside the classroom. Your students will benefit from the results of this extra practice when they’re back in the formal classroom.
• Read point number 1 again.

Mobile devices have helped me to create an inclusive, personalised learning environment. My learners are now active researchers, and my classes are more in tune with their needs. Mobile technology also helps me use my lesson planning time more effectively. It has pushed the boundaries of my own professional development, and I continue to share these models of learning in class.

Some of the Twitter exercises below are a great way to begin to use social media for language learning. You can provide  hashtags  to allow students to search for and follow the conversation.

• Tweet a summary

In pairs or small groups, ask students to summarise a piece of text in 140 characters or less. Provide students with a hashtag, so the whole class can follow the conversation on Twitter and discuss it at the end.

• What did you did at the weekend?

Ask students to tweet photos of their weekend. Provide a hashtag for all the tweets. They could include photos of interesting people they met, a funny sign, or a meal they enjoyed. This will provide students plenty of material for discussion on a Monday morning.

• Describing people

Ask students to describe someone they are following on Twitter, in English. What were the reasons for following them? Do they read their tweets daily? Do they follow them on other social media channels? Is there anything in particular they admire about them?

She will be presenting on this topic at a  British Council seminar , live-streamed from London on Tuesday, 20 May, from 18.00 UK time. Take part in the  Twitter conversation  for a chance to receive an app voucher — to be announced live at the end of the seminar.

You might also be interested in:

• How to help children speak English with confidence
• Why not make teaching English for exams fun?
• How English teachers can use e-books in the classroom

View the discussion thread.

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