How to Teach the Elderly to Use Computers

Teaching seniors how to use a computer can be challenging, but it can also give them valuable skills to communicate with family members via e-mail or surf the Internet. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), elderly people are fully capable of mastering computer skills if their Information Technology (IT) teacher uses appropriate instructional methods. You can teach IT skills to seniors by creating an appropriate learning environment, using positive reinforcement and alleviating any apprehensions they might have about computer use.

Things You'll Need

  • Handouts
  • Tutorials
  • Printouts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create an appropriate learning environment by providing each student with their own computer. Before the lesson, try to gather information about potential disabilities that some of your students might have. For instance, those with vision impairments can use use the high contrast, or enlarged text size options in Windows. If they have auditory impairments, increase the volume of their speakers and remember to speak a little bit slower and louder during the lesson.

    • 2

      Introduce yourself to your students in a friendly manner. Ask them to share any previous experience with computers, and help them alleviate any fears by telling them it is impossible to break a computer, using simple tasks, and that most mistakes can be easily corrected.

    • 3

      Make your instructions more concrete by adding real-life examples to lessons. For example, when teaching about email, ask your students to review the steps involved in sending a letter via the postal service. Translate these steps to the ones involved in sending emails.

    • 4

      Demonstrate how to perform a particular task, then ask your students to perform that task on their computer. Hands-on practice helps your students remember the steps involved in performing a particular task.

    • 5

      Reinforce successful task completion by congratulating your students when they perform well.

    • 6

      Provide handouts or printouts at the end of each lesson. This allows your students to read and study your lessons at home.

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