Sitting comfortably in their orthopaedic chairs in the lounge of a Tarves residential home, you would expect to find a group of people with an average age of 80 watching TV or having a nap – but not this lot!
Embracing new technology, this group have decided to keep up with the 21st Century and learn some IT skills by going back to college.
Martin Murray an instructor for Aberdeen College has been teaching the group “Computing for the Terrified” for the last few months using College laptop computers, in the comfort of their own home.
Oldest in the class is Amy Milne born in 1909. At 95, Amy joined the class out of curiosity. Her daughter Margaret and son-law Jack, who are both retired and in their 70s, attend IT classes in Ellon, so Amy decided that she would give it a go as well. Amy says, “there’s no fool like an old fool”, but with encouragement from her son, she is keeping up with the class and is enjoying the new challenge.
Betty Jarvis (76) and Janet Swinton (80) heard about the course through another resident and decided to come along. Living in Tarves when the weather is bad and with no car, buying their shopping online sounded like an attractive idea, but with no computer experience, they didn’t know how to go about it.
Maria Wilson (almost 80) and Patty Bolland (73) are both residents at Hanover Court and heard about the class through the Warden’s newsletter. Maria’s stepdaughter has a computer and she was very keen to learn how to use e-mail.
She said, “I have family in the States, Poland and Oman and I want to be able to communicate with them. I am able to type, which is a big advantage when writing my letters and I also write poetry and stories. Now I am able to file everything and e-mail attachments to family and friends.”
Jean Steele (74) and Edith Innes (the baby at 63) are friends. Jean – a retired teacher, moved to the area from Lanarkshire to be near her family. They are both keen to use the Internet for e-mailing family and Jean is keen to develop her artistic abilities to create posters for Guild events.
Lynne Bell (82) writes for her Parish magazine and the Hanover Court magazine. Her family are really supportive and bought her a state-of-the-art flat screen computer for her Christmas so she can practise between classes and improve her typing skills.
Albert Aitchison (61) is the only ‘boy’ in the class. Being a retired electrician, he is keen to learn new technology. When Albert is not playing on the keys, he is in a band where he plays drums. His band – New Horizons, entertain in clubs for the elderly and in residential homes.
There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere in the class and they all have kind words to say about Martin, their instructor.
Janet said, “He is so patient with us – he has a wonderful sense of humour and is so kindly to us. It’s wonderful being taught in the home – we feel its not associated with school in any way, and we are finding it much easier to learn.”
Martin, who uses a microphone when speaking to them in a group said, “I find even in a small room that some of the class are straining to hear, so I use a microphone when I’m giving instructions, but after that, it is very much one-to-one help.”
He added, “I am amazed at how well they are all doing. Most of the class have no computing experience and can’t type but they are all coping really well and are extremely enthusiastic. Amy, at 95, is an inspiration to us all, and the class are a wonderful example of - if I can do it – so can you!”
And what next – the advanced class of course!
ADULT LEARNERS’ WEEK 2005
The nation’s biggest festival of learning runs from May 21-28.
It aims to encourage adults of all ages to try something new – whether you are a young parent keen to learn new skills to help with future job prospects or a senior citizen who would like to take up a new hobby and meet new people.
In the North-east, a host of education providers have joined forces to offer a programme of exciting activities to give local people a taste of the type of classes that are available in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
A packed diary has been compiled, with details of all the events that have been organised to celebrate Adult Learners’ Week 2005, along with contact details for the various partners.
On offer are hundreds of taster sessions such as hair, beauty, art, digital photography, computing and the Internet, fitness activities and cookery demonstrations (with free tasting!)
There are also numerous opportunities to drop into community centres, libraries and colleges to find out more about courses as well as tuition fees, childcare, student finance, literacy and numeracy.
Thanks to Asda and First in Aberdeen, shoppers can also pick up leaflets while they’re doing the weekly shop as First’s Learning Bus will be stationed outside Asda at Portlethen on Thursday, May 26 and at Asda at Bridge of Dee the following day, from 10am to 3.30pm.
The mobile classroom, which is usually based at First’s King Street depot, will offer shoppers the chance to pick up information about learning opportunities while trying out its computers.
All the events are FREE of charge and are open to everyone, especially those who would not normally consider taking up a learning opportunity.
Thousands of copies of the free 16-page diary have been distributed throughout the North-east and can be picked up from local libraries, community centres, Aberdeen College and other venues, or online at http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acc/pdf/Specialevents/Adult_Learners_Week.pdf
The partners who have joined forces and formed the North-east Scottish Adult Learning Partnership (SALP) Campaigns Committee are Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen College, Aberdeenshire Council, Banff and Buchan College, Careers Scotland, First Group, Scottish Agricultural College, Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen and University for Children and the Communities.
The Scottish Adult Learning Partnership (SALP) is responsible for organising and co-ordinating Adult Learners’ Week in Scotland. SALP is an independent voluntary body of stakeholders who come together to develop a coherent approach for community based adult learning in Scotland.
For more information on Adult Learners' Week in Scotland, contact the Scottish Adult Learning Partnership by phone on 0131 220 5567 or email salp@salp.org.uk or log on to www.alws.org.uk
ENDS
