Teens Leading Elders Into A Laptop World
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Kaneohe Community and Senior Center members are jumping on the technological bandwagon with the help of advanced computer students at Castle High School who have been sharing their expertise with their kupuna.
Bobby Duque’s class usually conducts an all-day technology workshop for its feeder elementary schools, but with the election of Barack Obama came the inspiration and desire to do something more.
Duque took up the cause after President Obama’s election-night victory speech that encouraged all Americans to “summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.”
“I was motivated to do something more for my students,” he explained. “I wanted to give them an opportunity to work outside their comfort zone and reach out in their community - to our kupuna.” He added that he often would see his mother-in-law and people of her generation struggle with the increasing influence technology was having on their lives.
So in December they collaborated with the Windward kupuna across the street from the high school, sharing with them the basics of Microsoft XP, an introduction to hardware, and helped them create Christmas cards using MS Publisher. Since then, they’ve also covered Internet and search engine basics - and the response has been nothing but positive.
“It has been a successful and inspirational experience,” Duque said. “During the evaluation section of our first workshop, one adult learner shouted,‘When is the next workshop?’ My students looked surprised and started to smile, They were making a difference! I knew they were on to something good.”
With a handful of workshops behind them, the class will hold its final free workshop at the school’s Large Group Learning Center from 6 to 8 p.m. March 19, and it’s already booked solid. This time the students will first assess the senior’s technological skills and then personalize the tutorial session based on their needs.
“Most of our senior citizens are not comfortable with computers and the Internet,” Duque said. “They enjoy the one-on-one tutoring experience because my students take their time to explain and demonstrate the computer skills.”
The most challenging aspect for the students, he said, is to define and adapt to the needs and learning styles of their elder pupils. He’s quick to mention, however, that it’s just as rewarding to see the teens’ excitement as they plan the workshops, rehearse presentations and set up the mobile lab.
“When I see the smiles of all the participants, I know in my heart that my students are doing the right thing. It’s a mutual learning experience in that while the seniors are learning what they want to learn, the students are also challenged with the experience of teaching.”
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