Does Not Compute

Fiona

This year, why not give Mum something a bit different?   If she has access to a computer but could do with a bit of help, how about an introduction to  the internet or email or maybe Skype?  It’ll be a longer lasting present than a bunch of flowers, lovely though they are, and the whole family stands to benefit from easier communication.

Most of our excellent tutors offer gift vouchers, particularly at these special times of year, so have a look at our Tutor pages to see if there’s one in the right area and if so, use the Contact Us page to get in touch.

Fiona

Did you see this on ITV1 last night at 7.30? It was a rather nice half hour film on the Tonight programme, showing what a great difference being online can make to peoples’ lives. Rick Crust, our new Silver Surfers’ Day Events Manager, had a starring role as part of the programme was filmed at Hackney Silver Surfers, where he runs computer classes.

If you missed it, you can see it on ITVplayer  here until the beginning of April.

If you are a Radio 2 listener, you will have already heard that their Get Connected campaign launched yesterday. The aim of the campaign is to help more of their listeners get online and understand digital technology better. Many Radio 2 shows will be involved throughout the whole of March and there are lots of tips on their website from presenters such as Terry Wogan. You can also phone 08000 150 950 and they’ll send you a booklet.
There’s more here.

David Sinclair here, Head of Policy and Research at the International Longevity Centre – UK

In debates about the “digital divide”,  older people are often portrayed as ‘clueless’, ‘scared’ and ‘needy’.  The language used is often ageist and underestimates the diversity within the older population. Yes, only 7 in 10 over 65s uses the internet.  But at the same time, the growth in the percentage of older people using social networks is significant.

On 1^st February 2010 the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK) published ‘The Fictions, Facts and Future of Older People and Technology, the first in a series of think pieces by Simon Roberts, design anthropologist with Intel’s Digital Health Group.  According to the author: “To put excitement and purpose into our technologies for ageing populations we need to talk differently about ourselves, ageing and older people. We need to find ways of continuing to include older people in the process of design and delivery”.
Read the rest of this entry »

Our sister site, BeGrand.net is launching a campaign today that looks at the attitudes of grandparents towards money - and the sacrifices they’re making to help support their families.

They’re trying to draw attention to the important role that grandparents play both providing financially, and forming children’s attitudes to money. Read the rest of this entry »