This information is generic and based on the practical experiences of the @daptation partners
- Advertise online (Age Action used www.activelink.ie)
- Outreach interest on the homepage of organisation’s own website
- Advertise in voluntary centres
- Work with employees of corporate partners where classes run on-site who are prepared to volunteer outside working hours
- Approach local IT training schools/colleges
- Posters in credit union offices
- Advertise in Parish (church based) newsletters
- Within the association, inform and encourage the members to come along as a tutor. “You don’t have to be a pro and know everything.” We are volunteers and may say that we do not know everything.
- Put up flyers in community run projects/ centres where seniors attend e.g. sports venues, medical surgeries
- Use a personal approach to outreach seniors visiting community centres
- Advertise in parish newsletters
- Word of mouth
- Adverts and printed leaflets in senior service centres, libraries etc.
- Central location – easy access by public transport
- Quiet environment - ideally with facility for tea/coffee break
- Room for trainer and learner to work side-by-side
- Good access – not too many stairs
- Check the network connections beforehand in a new classroom
- Headsets and web-cameras available on the computers
- Close cooperation with city social service offices, libraries, and other senior service providers
- Build up trust and make learner feel welcome and comfortable
- Address needs and interests of learner i.e. learner centred
- Make the process fun, with reference to the real world
- Aim for an immediate result in lesson 1, e.g. sending an e mail, printing a document
- Be patient, don’t rush, and teach one task at a time
- Do not do the task for the learner - let him/her do it. Never touch their keyboard!
- Often summarise. Reassure students. Let them know much will be repeated and they needn’t worry about remembering everything.
- Boost the learner’s confidence by giving praise on a regular basis
- Patience, repetition and respect
- Not too many topics at a time
- Avoid unnecessary changes on the display or way of working
- Advise the learners to share their knowledge with others by becoming the trainer
