MARYSTOWN, N.L. —
Usually knowledge is handed down from the old to the young.
That works for most subjects, but not so much when it comes to technology where youth definitely have the upper hand.
Catera Mullett suggests one of the biggest challenges to mastering technology is learning not to be afraid of it.
“It’s not like a piece of glass or a mirror or anything. It’s not going to break and fall to a million pieces,” Mullett says.
Taking your time and a deep breath or two often does the trick, says Mullett, a volunteer with the Media Mentors program at the YMCA in Marystown.
“You’re not going to learn unless you take the dive and try.”
Kim Hodder, who was brought on to coordinate the program in Marystown last year, says Media Mentors is meant to be a learning experience for both age groups.
“We’re hoping the youth will gain some life skills and some work skills that can transfer into whatever they do further in their life, and the seniors get to learn a little bit about technology,” Hodder says.
The program is also presently offered at the YMCA in St. John’s.
“I like the idea of one-on-one,” says Jeanette Lundrigan, who is paired up with Mullett.
“We’ve gotten along well so far,” she added, resulting in a chuckle from Mullett.
Lundrigan said she became interested in the Media Mentors program to grow her technological abilities, which she admits are lacking. She has a number of devices, usually received as Christmas gifts, and wanted to become more tech savvy.
“I have an iPad, an iWatch, an iPhone and a Mac computer, and now that I’m retired I have the time and I’m looking to improve my computer skills,” she explains.
“I thought I knew some things about computers, but the more I use them, I’m finding there’s so much more out there I could be using the computer for.”
Lundrigan says the encouragement she has received from Mullett to put aside any fears she might have about technology has been a big help.
“There’s nothing too much,” Lundrigan says of her mentor’s reassurances. “I can learn.”
For Mullett, who is completing courses at Memorial University through distance education with aims to become a social worker — coincidentally Lundrigan’s former career field — the Media Mentors program has been rewarding, as well.
“You’re teaching (people) something that, without this program, maybe they never would have learned how to do on their own,” she says.
More about Media Mentors
The Media Mentors program is a joint venture between the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canada Service Corps to help seniors access and use technology.
The Canada Service Corps funds the initiative.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 30 can become mentors and no previous experience is necessary.
Seniors do not have to be members of the YMCA to sign up.
The one-on-one sessions are geared towards participants and what they want to learn, says Kim Hodder, program coordinator at the Marystown YMCA.
“They’re not being taught anything they don’t want to learn,” she says.
RELATED:
