Computer source of youth
IT-grandmothers, IT-grandfathers
It is not customary to dream about old age. The natural period in the life cycle of each person often serves as a synonym for such phenomena as "helplessness", "isolation", "loneliness". We easily talk about age, lament the infirmities of the elderly and admire the energy of the young, pronounce hackneyed phrases and draw superficial conclusions. All this happens exactly until one day we discover our own old age in a mirror image. It is then that it becomes obvious that thoughts, ideas, hopes have nothing to do with the physical signs of aging. As before, we are interested in the events happening around us, we want to communicate with family and friends, we want to learn new things and diversify our lives. No wonder there is a concept of the "third age" – the stage of active life after retirement. At this age, pensioners continue to develop, devote time to new hobbies, make plans and contact each other. After all, each of us dreams of being happy in his "third age".
Modernity has given us a unique and at the same time universal tool with which it is easy to keep in touch with the outside world, regardless of age, social status, geographical location and other conventions. We are talking about a computer – a technical device that serves as an excellent conductor between us and what we are really interested in.
Unfortunately, many pensioners cannot take advantage of this achievement of civilization due to various reasons: a psychological barrier in front of a computer and the Internet, inability to work with modern means of communication, limited mobility and other things.
The national social program of free computer literacy and information technology training "Grandma-online", "Grandpa-online" is designed to overcome these obstacles, prevent a generation gap and improve the quality of life of citizens of retirement age in the Russian Federation.
Technological source of youthThe national social program "Grandma-online", "Grandpa-online" was established by the Interregional public Organization "Association of Veterans, Disabled People and Pensioners" (MROO "AVIP") in 2008 as part of the concept of information society development in the Russian Federation.
The idea of overcoming the information stratification of society by mass involvement of elderly citizens in the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) is implemented by creating a network of free computer centers "walking distance" and the use of author's educational methods for teaching pensioners. Graduates of computer literacy courses receive basic computer skills, are able to access the Internet, communicate with each other and their families on social networks, perform various operations: from ordering train or plane tickets to paying utility bills. The experience of successful functioning of dozens of training centers in St. Petersburg predetermined the expansion of the project's geography: in September 2011, the commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation decided to recommend the program for implementation at the federal level, sending relevant proposals to the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Federal Assembly and the Government of the Russian Federation. With the help of the official partner of the program – Intel Corporation – it is planned to open nodal training centers in 45 regions of the federation by the end of 2012, by mid-November the program is operating in 28 regions of the country. During its existence, the initiative has received a wide public response. So, in addition to the response in the form of large-scale media coverage, awarding of national awards and prizes, the program "Grandma Online", "Grandpa Online" served as an incentive for the launch and development of a number of regional pilot projects for teaching the basics of ICT to older people.
The program implementation is based on the following principles:
- Mass: coverage of the entire population of the Russian Federation who have reached retirement age.
- Availability: free primary education.
- Continuity of training: gradual improvement of skills online, use of e-government services.
- Providing motivation: opportunities to provide jobs.
- Participation of the government, society and business in the implementation of the program.
- The presence of the older generation on the Internet: joint discussion of problems, communication on online social platforms.
- Participation of young people in computer training of the older generation: classes are conducted under the guidance of young volunteers.
The tasks set by the organizers are not limited to educational standards and their improvement. There are an order of magnitude more of them: employment (including with the possibility of remote work), support for citizens with disabilities, the involvement of volunteer consultants from the youth environment, the development of the intellectual potential of listeners, the organization of free time and cultural leisure of the elderly, etc. It is known that it is possible to prolong the spiritual youth of a person, fill his life with bright colors, revive faith in his strength only with the help of people dear to his heart, his favorite business, positive emotions. "Grandma-online", "Grandpa-online" is an open source of finding new life ideas, self–development, mutual enrichment in the process of cognition and information exchange.
According to statistics, at the beginning of 2012, the number of Internet users in Russia amounted to 70 million people. At the same time, a steady "maturation" of the web audience was recorded - people aged "50+" are actively mastering the Internet. Participants of the program "Grandma-online", "Grandpa-online" receive elementary skills necessary for Internet surfing, along with a set of other skills based on first-class computer equipment. Intel Corporation in Russia, the official partner of the national social program "Grandma–online", "Grandpa-online", took over the issues of equipping classrooms with everything necessary and providing comprehensive support within the framework of the project.
The development of social initiatives aimed at teaching computer literacy to older people is one of Intel's priorities in the field of corporate social responsibility. The company has been participating in the program since 2010: equips training centers with modern technology, provides financial support to a charity project, conducts free master classes on modern teaching methods for volunteer teachers of courses, provides sponsorship in organizing IT events for the elderly.
Old age as a joySpeaking about the opportunities received by graduates of the courses, it is important to note that the knowledge gained in the classroom is necessary to perform daily tasks, many of which become unbearable due to age and health status.
With the help of any computer device, Internet access and a minimal set of IT knowledge, it will not be difficult to make an appointment at the polyclinic, leave an application at the office, order a book by mail or seek help from the authorities and will not require additional efforts. The numerous reviews of students of computer literacy courses published on the project page cannot but touch. Here is one of them (spelling preserved): "Ya.Nikolai Karpovich.very grateful. that I got into such courses. as a grandfather, he learned to type online and everything in the commuter at the age of 78. thank you to the young teachers for their science and patience." Reading these lines, we are convinced of the main thing: by passing on new knowledge to our grandparents, we get a unique opportunity to talk to them, adopt their invaluable experience, learn from them fortitude, sincerity, the ability to appreciate life and thank those who are nearby.
You can learn more about the national social program "Grandma-online", "Grandpa-online" and sign up for computer literacy courses on the website and in the Vkontakte group.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru06.12.2012