Teaching Technology to Seniors

I think it is important to remember that some seniors have had little exposure to technology. A good example is my mother who was so terrified of using the banks ATMs that she would have a younger family member meet her at the bank and do her withdrawal for her. Another example is the CSIT computer skills class that all of us library tech students must take in order to earn our certificate. I signed up for this class in fall of 2011. It is a beginning class and at least four of the students described themselves as not having much computer skills (i was one of the four) our instructor had been teaching computer classes for over 20 years and it was second nature to her. Sadly she had no sympathy for anyone who did not understand what she was talking about. I felt especially sorry for one lady of about 65 who so wanted to gain skills and competency on the computer. By the third class the teacher announced "if you are having trouble now, you won't pass this class." I got up walked out and drove home where i dropped the class. We need to remember that for some seniors even though it's our millionth time doing something with computers or technology it may be someones first time and the terms we use might as well be in Russian. Patience, a smile and willingness to explain something in easy to understand language are of the utmost importance. I plan on taking the computer class again in the fall (with a different teacher.)