This document outlines a computer literacy program for senior citizens with the objectives of bringing them closer to technology, seeking information with reduced dependency, and playing a role in the digital age. Some key challenges included technical skills, adaptability due to health problems, and communication issues. Solutions implemented interactive tools to make computers easier to use, familiarize seniors with terminology and technology, address health issues, and improve communication. The program achieved basic computer skills, use of Skype and email, and positively impacted participants' daily lives by providing online resources for music, books, recipes and more. Overall, the program benefited both seniors and the teacher.

1. Tell me and I forget !!
Teach me and I remember..
INVOLVE ME AND I LEARN !!
Computer Literacy Program for Senior Citizens
A Project by Mahir Bathija

2. OBJECTIVE
Aim of the Project
• TO BRING SENIOR CITIZENS CLOSER TO NEW TECHNOLOGY:
To contribute to the reduction of the digital and social divide that exists across.
• TO SEEK INFORMATION WITH REDUCED DEPENDENCY
Learning about computers is certainly something that will help occupy them during their
old age.
For the elderly, learning the basic use of computer can help them do important
tasks such as paying their own bills, making business letters and communicating with
their love ones that are far from them.
• TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE DIGITAL AGE:
Senior citizens have the potential to contribute to cultural and social dialogue through
technology.

3. KEY
PROBLEMS
Biggest Challenges
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• Understanding Computer
Terminology
• Using The Hardware &
Software
ADAPTABILITY
• User Interface
• Changing Environment
• Visual Accessibility
• Qwerty Keyboard
HEALTH PROBLEMS
• Recollection Information
• Reduced Motor Skills
• Stiff Hands e.g. Arthritis
• Reading/Hearing Difficulty
COMMUNICATION
• Language Barrier
• Effective Listening
• Limited Attention Span
• Medium Of Instruction
• Constant Repetition

4. KEY
SOLUTIONS
Tools Implemented
ADAPTABILITY
MAKING
THE
COMPUTER
EASIER
TO
USE
•
Reducing
Screen
Resolu0on
to
800
x
600px
•
Contrast
Appearance
for
Enhancing
Readability
•
Increasing
Font
Sizes
and
Icon
Sizes
•
Reducing
Mo0on
Speed
of
Mouse
FAMILIARIZING
THEM
WITH
COMPUTER
TECHNOLOGY
AND
TERMINOLOGY
•
Making
the
Keyboard
Easy
to
Use
e.g.
RED
=
Wrong
=
Backspace
GREEN
=
Right/Go
=
Enter
•
Highligh0ng
Alphabets
of
their
name
to
improving
typing

5. KEY
SOLUTIONS
Tools Implemented
TECHNICAL SKILLS
CREATING SIMPLE FLOW CHARTS ON HOW TO USE COMPUTERS

6. KEY SOLUTIONS
Tools Implemented HEALTH PROBLEMS
IMPROVING POSTURE TO PREVENT
JOINT PROBLEMS
EXERCISES TO IMPROVE MOTOR SKILLS THAT
HELP USING THE COMPUTER
E.g. Beading, Play Dough, Shooting Marbles, Fixing
the Peg, Squeezing the Ball, Stretching Exercises etc

7. KEY
SOLUTIONS
Tools Implemented
COMMUNICATION
PROCESS OF COMPOSING AND
SENDING AND EMAIL
Crea0ng
acronyms
to
help
in
Recollec0on
of
process
DRAWING LIFE PARALLELS TO
EXPLAIN CONCEPTS BETTER
Comparing the process of writing an email to
writing a letter

8. ACHIEVEMENTS
BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS
•
Switching
on/off
the
Computer
with
the
help
of
teaching
aid
•
Improved
Eye-­‐Hand
Co-­‐ordina0on
and
Motor
Skills
•
Typing
slowly
using
hunt
and
peck
method
•
Fluent
with
basic
computer
terminology
USING SKYPE/GMAIL
•
Remembering
Username/Password
•
Logging
in
and
out
of
Skype
using
Flowcharts
•
Successfully
making
Skype
Calls
•
Wri0ng
Basic
E-­‐mails
and
sharing
photos
Case Studies

9. ACHIEVEMENTS
Case Studies
BEFORE
Initially the options were limited to Audio
Players and prayer books which were difficult
to source and inconvenient for the aged.
AFTER
•
Successfully using YouTube and other
applications
•
Ordering music and books through unlimited
resources online
•
Listening to prayers online and downloading
them easily
• Positively accepting and adapting to the
new technology

10. ACHIEVEMENTS
Case Studies
BEFORE
•
Initially the options were limited to
Manual Accounts which were
cumbersome.
•
Options were restricted to the recipes
in cookery books
AFTER
• Efficiently maintains accounts using
Microsoft Excel database.
• Refers to online resources for new
recipes
• Shares personal recipes on online
blogs

11. KEY TAKEAWAYS
While we Teach, We Learn!
•
SMALL
EFFORT
-­‐
BIG
DIFFERENCE:
Tiny
Steps
in
the
right
direc0on
had
an
impact
in
their
daily
lives.
•
SENSE
OF
SATISFACTION
U0lizing
my
0me
produc0vely
to
do
something
useful.
•
IMPARTING
KNOWLEDGE
Sharing
my
passion
and
knowledge
to
enable
them
with
computer
skills.
•
PATIENCE
AND
PERSEVERANCE
Built
on
my
endurance
levels
•
ORGANISATION:
Taught
me
to
be
systema0c
and
methodical.
•
FEELING
OF
JOY:
Gave
me
immense
happiness
to
see
a
smile
on
their
faces