SDSU Extension has developed the TeachSD Toolkit which provides educational videos and instructional guides to assist individuals and organizations seeking to help older adults learn new technology skills.
SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist Leacey Brown says the COVID-19 pandemic is inspiring many to use technology to connect with the people they serve. She says what makes the TeachSD Toolkit unique is its emphasis on training volunteers so they can teach older adults how to use technology.
Some barriers to technology use include a lack of access to broadband, costs associated with technology and individuals not seeing technology as relevant to themselves.
The toolkit includes three videos developed for the TeachSD technology trainer orientation that may be useful to individuals and organizations seeking to help non-users get online and learn new technology skills. Topics addressed in the videos include introduction to aging, understanding learning styles and advanced technology teaching skills.
The TeachSD Orientation Guide included in the toolkit provides direction for conducting a technology trainer orientation, which provides individuals with the experience and knowledge needed to effectively teach individuals with limited technology experience to learn new skills.
The TeachSD Implementation Guide provides instructions for organizing a technology training program in a community. The guide includes planning tools, checklists, lessons learned and other tips and tricks to make technology lessons available in a community.
To view the videos and receive a copy of the two guides, visit the SDSU Extension website at https://extension.sdstate.edu/teaching-adults-technology.
For more information, contact Brown at leacey.brown@sdstate.edu or 605.394.1722.
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