It’s never too late to learn more and perhaps at the same time even make a new connection.
The Cyber Seniors program — offered at the Sundre Municipal Library in partnership with Sundre High School’s leadership class — provides a unique opportunity for adults to learn about digital devices under the tutelage of tech-savvy teenagers.
“We’re able to help just about anybody,” said library manager Jamie Syer.
“Some people come in and have no idea how to browse the Internet. Or they’ve heard about something called Skype and they want to know how to do that with their grandkids, or they want to get started on Facebook. There’s always something a little different.”
However, while the program covers computer basics, there is also a chance to build upon an existing foundation of knowledge, he said.
Certain adults who have signed up for lessons — such as Colleen Hunter — already had a bit of prior background experience operating computers and had more specific inquiries, he said.
“Colleen was already fairly fluent using the machine but she had some very particular questions and challenges about how to keep stuff organized on the computer.”
So when she stumbled upon a poster promoting the program in a local drugstore, Hunter said she immediately felt compelled to sign up.
“I thought, ‘That’s exactly what I need!’” said Hunter during an interview at the library with her Grade 11 student tutor Chase Roache-Green.
She said she was born and raised before the digital generation but still had an inclination to use computers and wanted to know more about keeping track of all of the files and folders that over time add up.
“I can push buttons with the best of them. But I can’t really organize things and sometimes don’t know where to go to look for things.”
Meeting with Roache-Green for lessons with her personal laptop has been an excellent experience, she said, adding she would recommend the program to anyone else who might be interested.
“He’s listened very well and understood what it is that I’m having trouble with, and just was able to zero right in exactly on what I needed to learn.”
Following four sessions with a possible fifth — the overall number of lessons is typically determined as needed between a participant and tutor — Hunter said she learned what she wanted to know.
“I certainly don’t regret joining up with the Cyber Seniors program. It’s been a success from my point of view,” she said, encouraging anyone who might be curious to try as well.
Some people might be intimidated by technology, “but it’s not as bad as you think,” she added.
Roache-Green, who grew up around computers, said he enjoys not only using digital devices but also imparting his knowledge to people who want to know more.
“I’m not a guru or anything,” the student said, adding he does have a firm grasp on the basics of navigating a digital environment.
Having helped out two other adults last year, Hunter was the student’s third pupil.
“She’s fun to work with,” he said, adding, “She’s always willing to learn. She’s serious about it, she always writes down notes and she’s always doing homework.”
Participating in Cyber Seniors requires keeping an open mind and a desire to absorb new information, he said, encouraging anyone who has heard computer horror stories to not let fears prevent them from trying.
“If you’re wanting to learn, we don’t bite,” he said about the student mentors.
Over the past school year since classes started in September, approximately 12 adults and seniors have been mentored and the program — now in its second full year — typically continues until the start of summer break, said Syer.
“We generally don’t do something over the summer, although we have had students get involved outside of the class because they want to help.”
The program will continue to be offered to the community as long as there are people who require the help and students are available to step up to offer assistance, he said.
“One of the real assets that we have with this program is that we’re working with Ryan Beck’s leadership class at the Sundre High School.”
Anyone who is interested can either drop by or call the library at 403-638-4000 with specific requests for lessons. From that point, Syer will coordinate with Ryan Beck to find an available student tutor as well as schedule times that accommodate everyone involved.
“We make it work for the people that are involved and for the people who want to be involved,” he said, adding the program has an added benefit of bridging the generational gap while building new connections.
“Until now, we’ve always been able to find a student to match them up with.”
