Teaching people to use computers

[gelowo93]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum/has already been discussed elsewhere. I did a search and nothing came up.

My uncle (who's 80) has recently got a laptop and he's asked me to teach him how to use it. I am slightly dreading this because I don't think he's had one before so won't know much about how to use one. I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on what to teach him first, I'm thinking that it would be a good idea to set up an email account and show him how to use the internet pretty early on because you can't do a lot on computers without that nowadays.

Any ideas?

[Wab]

It depends what he wants to use it for.

If he wants to write his memoirs or just correspondence get him up to speed with word processor (OpenOffice is as good as any and is free) or if he wants to use the net searching and bookmarking.

Whatever his purpose make sure the computer has a good anti-virus as that is where a lot of new users fall down.

[wolfbrother]

If he has never used one before, then you'd probably have to teach him stuff like using the mouse, keyboard as well.

[gertiekeddle]

^ Yup this. My dad had many problems to understand what the mouse actually can do (like not only left click, but also right to show some info, pulling folders over etc). He also needed some time until he understood where things actually were stored when he didn't chose a folder by himself. Datas were lost for weeks and months (aka until I came for a visit next time).

[gelowo93]

Originally Posted by wolfbrother

If he has never used one before, then you'd probably have to teach him stuff like using the mouse, keyboard as well.

Oh dear, I'd forgotten about that I'm not starting for a while though because I'm busy, so hopefully he might have just about worked that much out by then. I still have trouble trying to get my parents to do that right and they've been using computers for years.

Thanks for the help, though

[dreyesbo]

I recommend this site, by Google: http://www.teachparentstech.org/

You choose whatever skills you think might be useful for the recipient, and they are sent short videos explaining basic functions.

[jimmyrayjit]

Originally Posted by gelowo93

I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum/has already been discussed elsewhere. I did a search and nothing came up.

My uncle (who's 80) has recently got a laptop and he's asked me to teach him how to use it. I am slightly dreading this because I don't think he's had one before so won't know much about how to use one. I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on what to teach him first, I'm thinking that it would be a good idea to set up an email account and show him how to use the internet pretty early on because you can't do a lot on computers without that nowadays.

Any ideas?

Hahahahha... good Gelowo. first I will say thank to your uncle that he show effort to learn "how to operate laptop" at this stage. Mate, first you let him teach how to "Boot" and "Shut-down" the system. Here, you didn't given about him educational background. He is sound in techno/mobile/calculator or not. If he easily operate these tool, hope he will get easily & quick.

Yes, your view is also niche. First, let him to Sign up in Mail server (G-mail would be best). This action will help him to entertain himself also.

Thank you to support your uncle!!