The tech geeks of Kennesaw State University and Chattahoochee Technical College combined forces to help local senior citizens get a better understanding of their technological devices June 30 at the West Cobb Senior Center.
During the “Geeks Give Back” events, computing students help troubleshoot technology issues and teach senior citizens how to master their mobile devices.
Dawn Tatum, lecturer of information technology in the College of Computing and Software Engineering, is the faculty adviser for the Association of Information Technology Professionals. She organizes the events, which began in early 2014.
“Our students break down information into a simplistic form, and do their best to educate on technology issues,” Tatum said.
Tatum had visited the West Cobb Senior Center for an information technology presentation and was quickly asked to come back for another seminar by the senior center’s program specialist, Tara Brewer.
Many of the senior citizens had often approached Brewer and other staff members at the center with questions about their tablets, computers, cellphones and software applications. The students with AITP were able to address the issue with one-on-one sessions.
Students do more than simply fix their problems. They teach the seniors citizens what they need to do in the future and help them write down step-by-step instructions, if needed. The private learning method created an environment that didn’t intimidate the seniors, giving them the ability to take things at their own pace and ask specific questions.
The seniors all have Facebook now, which has increased their communications with friends, family and the West Cobb Senior Center employees. They have also learned how to download music and apps as well as troubleshoot.
Isaura Romero, an information technology major at KSU, sat beside Mae Bowman and showed her how to change her Gmail password.
One of the biggest problems for seniors is the security measures developers install in a webpage. Some of these measures, while in place to protest privacy, can deactivate accounts and make recovery difficult. Bowman understands that security is important.
“Websites communicating these things to me is also important,” Bowman said.
Chattahoochee Tech computer programming major Ru Yea Yeh could not agree more. Some sites, she said, do have security features that are difficult to navigate.
Yeh felt it was important to share her knowledge of technology with everyone. She has been attending these events for two years, teaching seniors everything from downloading music to using basic networks.
“[The seniors] feel happy, which makes us happy,” Yeh said.
The Tech support given to Seniors at West Cobb has grown tremendously in two years. Can this be done quarterly instead of yearly. It is a great service to Seniors and very much appreciated. Thank you.