What's In It For Me?

There have been many technological changes and new ideas that have challenged everyone in the recent past.
Many seniors have lived through the experience of TV, transistor radios, telephones in the home and the development of computers.
With all these changes there are positives and negatives and the challenge of adapting to these changes.

This section attempts to address some of the concerns that you may have about technology as well as suggesting some benefits.

techPic2.jif

Pertinent Points

  • It is realistic to have concerns about the personal value of technology
  • It is understandable that there may be fears around technology
  • There will be concerns about much effort might be needed to learn some of the details
  • We all have challenges with managing the life changes that are affected by technology
  • You can get help with understanding technology rather than giving up
  • There are times when technology does not work properly and you should not blame yourself
  • There are actually many useful things that can be done with computers and mobile devices
  • While there is value in the new technologies for seniors' lifestyle, we do not have to embrace all that is on offer

What about my personal concerns?

When you observe others using technology, especially children, it may make you feel that you do not fit in with this new age.
While it is not surprising that we can feel this way, it is worthwhile thinking about the issues that might be of concern for you with technology.
Bringing these out for discussion can help to see what might help you move beyond any barriers and learn what may help.

Talking about concerns or simply thinking it through yourself may help to work out what might work for you.

You don't have to know everything!

There is so much to learn and realistically you only need to know enough to do the things that are useful for improving your lifestyle.
You may only want to use a mobile phone and not have an iPad or computer.

That is OK!

Even if most of it seems boring, too technical, a time waster or whatever; the important bit is DON'T MISS OUT ON THE BIT THAT CAN BE USEFUL TO YOU!
Use what is useful and ignore the rest.

Can I damage a computer or mobile phone?

Yes. But not by doing normal computing things.
If you put it deep underwater, drop it off a building or smash it with a hammer, it will be damaged.
(but don't spill your coffee or wine on it please!)

woman-destroying-computer2.jpg

But if you use your tech device in a normal way it will not be harmed.
You might delete some information accidentally or have it 'freeze' temporarily, but basically it will keep working for years before it needs normal replacement.


Too many choices!

There are so many choices to make that it can get confusing.
Having to choose between many brands of computer, mobile phone or other device is a challenge.

But this is really just part of modern life as you find out at a supermarket with perhaps 30 brands of breakfast cereal to choose from!

To make choices between brands and types of device may need some thought about your own needs and some advice from friends and family.

This website also has some suggestions under the topic 'What device to buy?' (Please click here to view this page)

I don't understand this stuff

Only trained computer "geeks" really understand this stuff and even most of them do not understand all of it!
You didn't need to understand how radio works to enjoy the 'wireless'.
Turn it on and enjoy the music!

We can hope to understand enough to get some added value in our lifestyle and that is where we should aim.

Focus on where there is value for you and don't worry about everyone else.

Fear of failure

When it does not make sense or it keeps going wrong it might feel like failure is the only outcome.
However, making a mistake, not understanding something or having a second or third or tenth go at it is all about learning.
(the younger ones learn this way too!)

A computer may seem daunting but it will sit there doing whatever you ask, again and again and again.
Take advantage of this "patience" to keep trying.

Oh and remember that you can try out things in a simple way to see if they work first.
Save a small file, print a little picture, send something to a friend.
If it works there is a good chance it will work for your bigger project.

Variations in experience

If you have been learning for a week and someone else for years there will be very different results.
You will find others seem to do it easily but they may have done it for longer or have more help or just have an aptitude for this stuff.

Move at your pace and don't worry if others seem faster.

Plateauing

Everyone finds that there is a point with learning where it seems to take forever to learn something new.
This is not unusual even for young people; at some point it seems it takes a while to just make sense of things before you can move on.

It might come as a lightbulb Aha! moment or just gradually.

No one explains it properly

Yes; this is a common experience, even for young people.

An experienced person might say:
"do this, do that", and then merrily types away at high speed while you look on completely bamboozled.

This type of 'teaching' is not helpful to anyone.
You need someone who has patience and can explain it in your terms. You then need to do it and practice it until it is comfortable

This is often the case with family members, especially younger ones who just want to move on fast.

It is also possible that there are gaps in the knowledge of others so that they know how to do it but NOT why so they can't properly explain it.

Do not get disheartened because one 'teacher' is unable to help!
Look for other ways of learning or other helpers.

There is more than one way to do that!

Related to the point above is that as people get used to technology they have their own favourite ways of doing things.
In most cases there is more than one way to do things.

This is why it can get confusing because someone says 'Use the keyboard' and someone else says 'Use the mouse'.

The convenience of different options means more choices for learners and likely more confusion!

Stick with what works for you as there is no 'right' way.

Technology is not perfect!

It did not work properly! I must have done it wrong!!! I failed!!

This is not always true so don't take it to heart.

There is no perfect technology and there are often shortcuts taken or assumptions made by the designers.
Sometimes the design is just clumsy and makes it easy to have problems!

Remember; all these apps and stuff are continually being updated and improved and that is often because of problems that have been discovered.

This means that you might seem to make a mistake but the reality is that it was the system.

Patience, focus and try again.

Finally, remember too that you are dealing with a DUMB machine.
The computer cannot think - it only does what it is programmed to do, but does it FAST!
Think it out, try it out - do not press buttons randomly!

What about the 'hackers'?

Criminals have always been active and long before the internet was invented.
We all learned not to walk down a dark alley late at night and we can learn how to avoid tech crime too.

Realistically though, seniors are the most at risk in these attacks so need to be more aware.

joker

Unfortunately, just like putting good locks on the house, you may have to spend a little time and effort to secure your tech toys.
For most of us though, good practice and awareness will prevent many tears.


I am not confident with online purchasing.

Probably no responsible person is confident until they understand how it works and how to stay safe.
You can always start small and with local, reputable businesses.

online-shopping-l

Don't spend $1000 first up; spend $5 or $10 so that if it does flop you can afford the loss.

BUT never never deal with an insecure website!!
(it must show that it is 'padlocked' for security)


Expensive

Some technology is very expensive but it may be also expensive to purchase very cheap technology that messes up, is unreliable, causes frustration or must be replaced more often.

You can avoid 'cheapies' but also can choose a value-for-money option rather than purchasing 'top of the range' with features you will never use.

Think about getting some experience with the technology before deciding on cheapies OR higher priced devices.


Lifelong Learning

Yes, the tech will change with time and we will have to learn more about it to keep up with the changes.

But is that unusual? Lifelong learning is the normal state of things:

  • New car? - New controls.
  • New TV? - New controls.
  • New Pet? - New food and personality.
  • New house? - New rooms, floor plan and fittings.

So it is not just your new mobile phone that has differences - this is just life.

What things can I do with technology?

The short descriptions below are to provide some ideas about what is possible.
Most of what is listed is provided in more detail in the sections on Apps? What's that? and About Computer Apps.
These can be accessed from the Site Navigation on the left.

old.jif

Communication

You can communicate with family and friends in multiple ways and for modest cost.
Email, texting, Social Media and Video Conferencing are all available with many of these options being free.

Information gathering, research

The internet is an extensive information repository and provides for a wide variety of interests.
You can gather information about interests, possible purchases, businesses, holiday locations, real estate and so on.

Writing

You can create documents, reports and books in a variety of formats.
The documents can eventually be printed if desired or may remain online, stored on the internet.
There are also online locations such as blogs and forums where writing is made directly for the internet.

Finances

There are many areas of financial interest that benefit from a computer or mobile device to access and control.

  • Banking - has been online for some time providing a convenient option for managing payments, accounts and loans.
  • Investment and Shares - it is possible to simply monitor investments but also to act as your own broker to trade shares.
  • Electronic Purchasing - there are a number of ways that online accounts may be set up to allow online purchasing
  • Taxation - while online taxation submission is generally done by tax agents, computers can help with recording and documenting taxable income.
  • Insurance - you can manage and claim on insurance online

While there are many helpful options, it is also needful to be wary of false or misleading financial information.
As it was prior to the internet, if it looks too good to be true it probably isn't.

Holidays

The internet is a powerful resource for:

  • Researching and booking travel
  • Booking accommodation
  • Transport timetables and maps
  • Museum, gallery and event ticketing

Computing devices can be used for:

  • Travel planning
  • Travel diaries
  • Personal travel books
  • Keeping in touch with family and friends while travelling

Shopping

Online shopping has become commonplace and allows extensive comparison shopping before purchase.
Reviews can be used to evaluate alternative items.
Best prices for purchasing a desired item can be searched.
You can purchase online and have products delivered to your residence.
Supermarket shopping can be done from home and delivered.

Photography

Mobile phones, tablets and cameras can take photos which can then be edited
If you enjoy photography as a hobby you can enhance your pictures with a computer.
There are multiple ways of sharing your images such as social media, online galleries and photo-books.

Video

Shooting video with mobile phone or video camera can develop into a more serious interest.
The videos can be edited into home entertainment or for social media
Sharing online is possible with online galleries
Live video streaming of events for clubs, social groups and societies is possible.

Music

Listening to music from an online source such as a streaming service or internet radio is common.
You can make up a library of your own music on your computer so that you can sort and play in whatever order you desire.
Music writing or composition and recording of music is possible

Entertainment

Watching films from online sources is possible from your own home repository or online libraries.
You can create a media library from DVDs and CDs on your computer for on-demand entertainment

Politics

Most new policies have some review period or public comment time.
It is possible to contribute material to parliamentary inquiries through online submission.
Local members have email and other contact information so that you can ask questions of MPs.

Life Management

Make and store information that help with organisation and memory:

  • To Do lists
  • Shopping lists
  • Reminders
  • Calendar entries
  • Notes and research
  • Files

Home Management

The computer makes it easy to store information such as a garden plant list, house paint colour list and other relevant information about your home.
Some are interested in home automation (Smart Home) which may provide automation for fun but also may be very useful for those that are frail or have disabilities.
Research and Planning may be done for new products, services and renovations.

Health and Well-Being

There are many options for researching information about health issues and how to stay healthy.
This is an important area to be aware of the existence of incorrect and misleading information.
Self diagnosis is a risky option though, and should be avoided.

Using reputable medical information can be a helpful adjunct to proper advice from health professionals.

Learning & Skill Development

Online learning is developing at many educational institutes and through private efforts.
There are online universities and colleges, many offering free courses but a fee if you wish to do the assessment and get a qualification.

You can learn for interest or for a specific purpose.

Reading

Books and Magazines are readily available as digital versions.
While you do not have to give up a printed book completely, the digital version means that carrying many books while travelling is easy.

Keep an eBook handy for when you have to wait at the doctor, dentist, bus stop…

Graphic Art and Illustration

Drawing and illustration software make it possible to take up artistic interest on the computer.
There are also online classes in art technique and art history.

cristina012%20on%20Deviantart.jif

Image by cristina012 on Deviantart

Hobbies

Most hobbies have some representation online with examples such as:

  • Group Forums for hobby discussions and sharing information
  • Research and purchase hobby items from around the world
  • Family History and genealogy research
  • Hobby skills development

Games

There are computer versions of many conventional games like Solitaire but also the very sophisticated sport or fantasy games.
Some find the games very absorbing; others think they are time wasters!

Technology

You can use technology to help you with technology.
When you learn to do an internet search you can find out how to make things work on your phone, tablet or computer.

It might seem a big deal now but you can get used to it. You can even search for books at a local library while at home.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License