Generations on Line: Ten Years -- Ten Lessons

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Generations on Line, the national nonprofit Internet learning program for seniors, shares some findings from having introduced the Internet and email to tens of thousands of seniors in the past ten years.

1. Fear of the computer can masquerade as disinterest.  "I'll never be able to do this because it's too complicated" comes out as "I don't want it; I don't need it."
2. The biggest fear comes from their respect for tools – fear of breaking the computer, based on older technology "you can't unburn the toast" but you can reboot a computer.
3. Two types of learners:  Those who blame themselves ("I broke it!"); those who blame the computer, ("This thing doesn't work!").
4. Searching is a foreign concept; seniors tend to search for specific tasks rather than surf the net. To help beginners of a certain age, suggest the elder types a question of interest into the search box.
5. When seniors search, it is not necessarily for aches and pains; but more often for interests and information – people, places, hobbies, news.
6. Repetition. The only way to learn the counterintuitive process and cumulative knowledge required for the Internet is to practice the same function over many times.
7. Elders grew up in a linear world and read from left to right, top to bottom; banners and popups are unwelcomed.
8. Hands-on – urge the elder to experiment and to press the ESC key when a box pops up.
9. Two way street – elders have much to contribute to younger generations; the Internet provides that opportunity.
10. Never too old. With the right guidance, anyone can learn.  

Generations on Line (www.generationsonline.org) began September 2000.  Facilities interested in a subscription that provides the teaching program, unlimited email accounts, a multilingual search, an intergenerational chat and easy links to key sites should contact Generations on Line at 215-222-6400 or through the website.  Generations on Line won the American Society on Aging MetLife  Mind Alert Award in 2002 for innovation in older adult learning. The program is now in more than 1600 facilities in 49 states and Canada.

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Tobey Dichter

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SOURCE Generations on Line