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Computers and the elderly
emnmnme
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
After my grandma (85 years young) figured out the the Medicare Handbook for 2008 is free online, she wants me to explain how to use a PC. She's been curious to learn about them for a good while but now she's actually demanding that I teach her. I don't mind but I know the process is going to be a headache - this sweet old lady doesn't understand how to use a cassette tape player so how can she possibly understand Windows XP? She also thinks the monitor doubles as a TV and doesn't have a good grasp of what kind of content can be found on the internet.
I need some advice - how do I introduce the PC to a relative who has never touched a PC before?
I need some advice - how do I introduce the PC to a relative who has never touched a PC before?
emnmnme on
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The following is by no means general guide, but how it worked out for me.
Seriously though, I have had to explain to an elderly person how to use teh internetz, and it's a lengthy process. The same as with any new technology, when it comes to the elderly. For me, it worked well to have the pc set pretty much bare bones, as in: Text processing, internet access, and pretty much nothing else. Minimizing confusing things to click on goes a long way in helping them understand the structure. Some initial pre-pc-use discussion with them helps too. Try to explain in layman's terms roughly how the computer works. Nothing too in-depth. Just basic stuff like storing files on a harddrive, double-clicking to open things, and all that.
Having pre-set bookmarks in the browser also helps them out, not having to remember addresses etc.
Also, written instructions for common operations are a must. Saves you some trouble explaining stuff over phone two days later.
So:
1.Minimize hassle
2.Crash course in using the computer, with demonstrations
3.Prepare the computer and browser as far as possible, easing their jump into using a pc.
4.Cover answers to whatever questions they might have.
5.NOTES, NOTES, NOTES.
6.Answer a bunch of phonecalls over a month or so, depending how quickly they can master the uses they want out of the computer.
Hope that helps at least a bit.
Nothing makes explaining computers to the computer illiterate easier than analogies
In this vein, I'd like to recommend Opera's Speed Dial system (link to Flash Demo). Seems like it might make things simpler initially, because you can add the sites she wants to it initially, then she just has to click them to open the pages.
Just be patient and go very slowly allowing them to ask questions and reinforce procedure. Many people I have worked with (especially older persons) they will set up a regimen and never deviate from it (this may or may not be true in your grandmother's case). Possibly out of fear that they will cause the entire interwebz to come crashing down around them, or who knows what. Many people have this idea about computers when they are unfamiliar with them that they can't possibly grasp any ideas relating to it. You can't teach an unwilling person, and keeping them confident in their own intelligence is crucial. Tell her what you are going to teach her, teach her, then tell her what you taught her.
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Myself moving out and into the world (college) finally forced her to be more independent. Some older persons will cling onto their teacher until they absolutely let go because they fear being left on their own. Now she only calls me or emails me on a rare occasion if something really odd happens.
"It's like a typewriter with a TV attached to it!"
And then just sit back and watch the gears turn.
We bought my grandmother a word processing unit - it is literally a typewriter with a monitor on it. You can use it as a word processor to write everything out on the monitor before you print it, or you can just use the typewriter part.
She has yet to turn on the monitor.
Try not to teach her that there are multiple ways to do things on a computer, at least not at first. That tends to confuse beginners.
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-Word processing is like a typewriter;
-E-mail is like regular mail
-The internet is like a library, Google is like the library's card rack and Wikipedia is the encyclopedia they keep behind the counter in a glass case and you have to ask for and can't check out
-YouTube is like TV
Simple as pie.
This thread reminds me of a story my dad once told me about when I was about 3 or 4, we went to visit my (now dead) great-grandfather at the retirement home and they had two TVs in the TV lounge: one old-style, dial TV and one with a remote control. All the old folks only ever watched the dial TV and couldn't figure out the remote. I just walked in there, grabbed the remote, turned the other one on and started flipping channels. Apparently my great-grandpa and several other seniors looked at me and asked my dad "Wait, how did he do that? Tell him to do it again, show us!"
I read an article called "XP: Still the One" which said, though not totally verbatim if my memory follows precedent "I'll recommend OS X to my grandmother, and Ubuntu to the [Mad Hackerz] (my term, not his), but for me, XP is still the one." As you can tell, he didn't like Vista.
I can't imagine teaching him how to use a computer. He hasn't used one since he worked in an office with a green screen DOS type thing.
So I just type up his stuff for him or send emails on his behalf on the rare occassion that he needs to. Way easier.
(and there is always a problem)
I don't want to know what crazy-ass libraries you've been to.
You know, homeless dudes jumping out showing you stretched anuses and all.
you mean your libraries don't have that? Interesting...
First clean all of the shit off her desktop, it is only a hinderance to a beginner. Get rid of all the dumbass helpers and popup status messages. I cannot stress this enough. Icons on the desktop will only be accidently activated and she will get lost. All of the little status messages Windows emits are worse than useless to her, they'll only serve to confuse her or make her think she has messed something up. Then teach your grandmother the absolute basics first using some safe examples like Paint and Notepad. Show her how clicking and dragging works and how text selection and navigation works. Paint and Notepad are pretty easy good teaching tools because they make it easy to show someone the direct effect of their actions. If you click and drag in Paint you'll see a line appear on the screen, the same goes for typing in Notepad. Once she has the basics down help her through more complex things like opening and closing programs. Avoid file management as long as possible because it can be difficult to grasp for beginners.
Once she demonstrates she can open and close programs get her on the internet. Choose a start page that is not ridiculously cluttered (something getting harder to do) and show her how to click links and navigate through page. Show her what the back button does. Instead of trying to teach her to use a browser and e-mail apps at the same time get her a webmail account. It'll be easier down the road for you to help her with problems since you can load up the same page she is seeing. It will also behave like a web page so she only has to learn one new interface at a time. Make sure you set the default size for text in the browser to be a little larger than normal, your grandmother may or may not have good vision but even a little eyestrain will be frustrating.
On the web teach her the basic difference between the browser the application and individual websites and their branding. If she goes to netscape.com she is not "using Netscape" but simply viewing that web page. If you want to be a good grandson build her a simple start page and host it somewhere free. Add a bunch of links tailored to her interests (especially her e-mail). That way you have a reasonably well thought out start page for her and don't have to rely on portal X to not fuck up their site on a random weekday.
Most importantly be really patient with her. She is not dumb (well she might be) but is not used to the technology you grew up with and take for granted. One of the reasons analogies fall down is she is probably better versed in using something like a real library or typewriter than you are. She knows plenty of stuff, you need to remember that learning to use her computer is her learning something entirely new, not just an extension of some old thing. Back up all of her files she might have for her and keep them on a CD or something in case she accidentally deletes everything. Uninstall apps or simply remove them from the start menu that she is not going to use (or use anytime soon).
Then just explain that the pretty compass is the internet and the postage stamp is the mail. And most important of all: Tell her she CAN'T SCREW ANYTHING UP NO MATTER WHAT SHE DOES!
Obviously this is just the basics and you'll have to show her how to go to websites, how to get mail, etc., but from my experience the biggest problem with new users of Computers is that they are afraid that they will do something that will screw everything up, or that will get them a virus or something. With a Mac locked down with no admin privileges, that just isn't going to happen. Without the fear of screwing something up, it will go much smoother...
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Yea what the hell is with parents and not understanding the concept of the TV/INPUT button?
"The remote is talking to the cable box... and now its talking to the DVD player... and now it's talking right to the TV..."
Find out what they want to do with the computer, then set it up to make it as easy as possible to do just those tasks. Unless they ask, they don't need to know how anything works, just that it does. Teach them the exact series of steps to accomplish the task, and absolutely nothing else. Once they're comfortable performing those basic tasks, it's a lot easier to teach them more general use since you can always refer to/make analogies with the stuff they already know. Don't teach them "how to use a computer", start by teaching them "how to check email" or "how to write a letter", then work from there.
Edit: Oh, and as others have mentioned above, you can expect to be summoned to the computer on a constant basis when they're still learning. This will be especially bad if they're using a program that has any pop-up messages.
Better get a touch pad
I've never had this problem ... the first thing I teach people to do is read the message then answer the question. 90% of the time they know the answer if they're just willing to read. Also, if they know you can fix it later then they'll feel more free to experiment.
I guess it depends on the type of person. I get a lot of "I know I should figure it out myself, but I didn't want to screw anything up!" regardless of how much I stress that they can't actually screw up very much with the way I've set up the machine.
Limed for truth.
She usually stands right over my shoulder, poking me in the arm, and pointing downwards, whilst saying "GO UP! NO, UP! UP!"
And if i scroll down she says "WOA WOA, too fast! Go back DOWN" While pointing upwards.
And if there is an advert for car insurance she asks me why i am looking at car insurance.
Oh christ its painful.
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