Our first Guest blogger-Grandma’s A Techie by Sunie Levin

What’s this world coming to? I’m an 80-year-old techie now! Me! With nine grandkids. How could this possibly have happened?

Well, truth of the matter is that perhaps I’m not really a techie, but I’m farther along than I’d ever dreamed--so far along that people actually call me for help. Between you and me, most of the time I can’t help them, but amazingly enough sometimes I can.

So how did all this happen? When my first Dell crashed a year ago, I was precisely where most 80 year old grandmas are. I knew how to turn the darn thing on, and I could send e-mails, but that was it. Everything changed when my granddaughters Megan and Amy convinced me to buy an Apple.  They both said it was very user friendly. I believed them. Now, this isn’t an Apple commercial. My new computer was totally different from my Dell, and I nearly went berserk learning the new language and commands.

Anyhow, when I first went into the Apple store to buy the machine, there were two children sitting on the floor, banging on the computer with great precision. When I asked their mother how old they were she said four and five. How humiliating. Then and there I promised myself that if they go do it. I could do it.

So what did I do? I signed up for 6 months of one-on- one lessons.  When I came home from the first lesson, which I’d immortalized on a tape recorder so as to retain all the information, tears started streaming down my face in sheer frustration.  User friendly indeed!

I persevered. I kept pleading with my instructors to please be patient with this old lady, but even now and then I caught them rolling their eyes. After a few months I actually started getting the hang of it. Hey, look at me! I can do it!

Of course what I could do at that point was pretty basic stuff. These computers are miracle machines, and can do thousands of times what we usually ask of them. But can you imagine---after 6 months I was able to build my own web site without any help at all. I’m not saying it was without its moments of sheer aggravation, but the point is, I did it.  Little old 80-year-old me.

This was the kickoff. When Megan was in town from college she got me hooked on social networking. I got myself set up on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Well, to be honest, Megan helped me just a wee little bit.  I discovered social networking isn’t just for teenagers. Nearly 3/4 of the baby boomers are on some network or other. Over 27 million people 55 and over use social networking.  You can too. For  housebound seniors it’s particularly wonderful; letting them maintain contact with old friends and creating new ones. It’s a magic carpet for finding old school chums you never thought you’d hear from again.

Next came Skype.  It is a camera built into new computers where you can see and talk to friends and family for free, anywhere in the world. If your old computer doesn’t have a camera, you can buy a portable Skype for around $40 at many stores. My husband and I use it frequently. We have a granddaughter and her husband living in Japan we can talk to, and see. During the earthquake and Tsunami it was reassuring to keep in touch.  We can see our long-distance twin 18 month old great grandkids, who by the way, are the cutest you’ll ever see and Skype helps them remember us between visits. One of my friends back in Kansas City watched a wedding of her grandson in New York via Skype because she had just come home from the hospital and couldn’t travel. You don’t know what you are missing.

It’s never too late and nobody’s too old.  Ruth Hamilton died two months before her 110th birthday.  She had been blogging (putting messages on the computer)until the very end. What a remarkable woman who was eager to embrace anything new. You can see and hear her on the website growingbolder.com Then there is Gertrude Crowley at age 97 used Facebook to make new friends. You see with her macular degeneration, her eyesight was almost nil. She acquired almost 100 friends online. A maven friend visited her every day and encouraged her to put stories on her page. He checked and read her e-mails and she dictated her answers.  She claims she was never bored.

For seniors who are housebound and cannot easily use the computer because of arthritis, low vision or other difficulties, there are devices such as Talking Desktop software and speech recognition that can be purchased for around $75.  If you say you are bored or have time on your hands now that you are retired, quite frankly it’s your own fault.  Buy yourself a computer, learn to use it.  There are classes at the local community center, library, and you don’t even have to pay for them.  Become a techie like me!   

   

Sunie  Levin, is a graduate of Missouri University and holds degrees in Psychology and Education. She founded the Midwest Ready and Dyslexia Clinic for children and adults with learning problems in Kansas City Missouri. A popular lecturer, she has conducted seminars throughout the country and has written syndicated columns for many newspapers. She has appeared on local and national T.V. and radio.  Her recent book is Make New Friends Live Longer.  web: http://www.makenewfriendslivelonger.com

   

Copyright © 2012

It is always exciting to hear about retirees and senior citizens entering the exciting world of the internet. I can still remember the fun I had with my Grandmother teaching her how to use online shopping..although my Grandfather was more impressed with the ability to order some of what he lovingly called "Brown lemonade".

As Sunie has pointed out technology today has made it easier and easier for Seniors to gain access to the Internet and we at Hale & Fun (yes..cue the sales pitch- Sorry but I am really excited about these courses and lets face it those of you who know me- I love the Internet and my computers!). are 100% behind encouraging the mature learner to join the technology revolution- we have a number of courses that cover all the basics and can even offer more advance courses if you are interested, some of these courses can be found at the links below:

 

•   Facebook, Twitter and Skype for beginners:
• (http://www.haleandfun.com.au/course_info.php?courseid=56)
•   The Personal Computer and you – amazing things you can do with a keyboard
• ( http://www.haleandfun.com.au/course_info.php?courseid=57)

Learn the Way to Healthy Aging

Why do elderly people often find themselves involve with lesser activities and just assume the joy of watching their children grow up or attend to their grandkids after they retire.

Although it still boils down to personal preference, there is already a large number of studies to suggest that remaining mentally fit is very crucial for an active and healthy aging.  These studies not only confirm the long-held belief that elderly people enjoy being mentally challenged and having active brain, they also show evidence of the benefits of keeping continuous cognitive development for senior citizens or older people.

Some examples of these studies were shown In the recent article in USNews Health, entitled Brain Falters Near End of Life, but Games, Puzzles Might Slow Decline, presenting the results of two new research projects, to be published online in the journal Neurology, and supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging and the Illinois Department of Health. These studies are spearheaded by Robert Wilson, the lead author and professor of neurological sciences and behavioral sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and offered insights to clarify how to halt the rapid cognitive declines as people age. These researches aconfirm that intellectually challenging activities help to keep the mind sharp, active and alert. Robert Wilson proposed that, "Engaging in mentally stimulating activities is one course to improving the health of your brain."

The Institute of Aging Research - a research body affiliated with Harvard Medical School further explained that, if personal lifestyle choices like engaging in intellectually-stimulating and other lifestyle modifications are one of the best hopes for elderly people to stave off or reduce the risk for dementia in their lifetime. Moreover, a recent study from Cochrane Collaboration from United Kingdom conceded that cognitive stimulation therapies have beneficial effects on memory and thinking for senior citizens who are already suffering from an on-set case of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

So if aging is the only way to live a longer life, make it worthwhile by keeping busy with new learning, new acquaintances and new discoveries each day. Yes, you are never really too old for it.  Enrolling in learning courses designed specifically for senior citizens can be a fun way to stimulate your brain which will not only add extra years to their life but will also make the life they live in a healthy one. After all, according to the research book “The Aging Mind: Opportunities in Cognitive Research”¹, cognitive decline is the main threat for the abilities of elder people to continue enjoying their favorite activities and a major additional threat to quality of their life.

 ¹. Paul C. Stern and Laura L. Carstensen, Editors; Committee on Future Directions for Cognitive Research on Aging, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, National Research Council

In which I discuss University of the 3rd Age (U3A), teaching the Mature learner and set off on a bold new mission of enlightenment!

Hi all,
So instead of discussing the ups and downs of the business world this month I thought I would talk about education and senior citizens. Obviously, considering that Hale & Fun focuses on providing educational opportunities for this community, this is always on my mind. Of course it turns out that I am not the only one thinking this way as an article about the University of the 3rd Age has pointed out-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17451319

I am personally a huge fan of the whole idea of U3A, which may seem strange considering that in some ways they may seem like competitors for Hale & Fun- but I dont really think so because so far one of the biggest things that has been limiting the growth of Hale & Fun has not been competition- instead it has been a drastic lack of consideration for this aspect of the retirement life. So anything getting people thinking about education for senior citizens is in by book an great idea. Besides which, according to the Wikkonomics article I recently read there are no real competitors, just collaborators. I am not sure if Pepsi and Coke a cola feel that way though, but for us it is true. U3A and Hale & Fun have same aims but slightly different products- U3A is all about the mature learner teaching other mature learners, which is great while Hale & Fun is all about bridging the generational gap- bringing young teachers into the mature learners world.

Wow, even when I try I end up talking about the business side of things (maybe this is why I get invited to so few parties these days hahaha..aww I made myself sad!). So I have been trying to accumulate a resource base on tactics, techniques, styles etc for facilitating learning in the mature learner and you know what. There is a surprisingly lack of any information. Now, if you would like to look into the benfits of continuing to learn throughout your later years there is quite frankly a cornucopia of information out there. Studies have shown time and time again the benefits of such activities particularly in decreasing the probability of Depression, social isolation, dementia and other cognitive diseases but in terms of the best way to achieve this..not so much.

This is not to say there is nothing- there are a few websites, books and articles about new programs for "brain" exercises, but that is all they are- brain exercises-memory recall, maths problems, and so forth. Now personally I hated that sort of learning when I was at school and the chances of me spending a couple of hours each week learning them when I retire are up there with the chances of me writing an entire blog entry with proper grammar and spelling...oh yeah, they were other things I really disliked learning.

Certainly there is plenty of theories, philosophies and studies into the adult learner and the lifelong learner and I suppose that we can extrapolate from these to address the educational needs  for the 3rd and 4th age but somehow that doesnt seem right. I want Hale & Fun to always be on the cutting edge, to be improving both as a business and as an educational and entertainment source. One day, when people talk about setting up programs for the mature learner,they will say "we draw upon the Hale & Fun model". So, dear Readers, I shall embark this month on a mission (beyond the usual mission, build up the business, make millions, take over the world and rule it within my iron fist....umm, i mean NOT take over the world and rule it within my iron fist) to gather more resources and come back with good break down of the best ways to teach the mature learner.....things we can incorporate into our already excellent courses and teaching styles to make them even better.

of course, I am also really lazy and busy so if anyone actually finds something out themselves or has some comments, it would make my life alot easier if you pass them onto me!

February..a month of excitement and growth

Hi Friends,

2012 has well and truly started and I like to think that the breakneck speed that Hale & Fun hit the ground running at in the new year has gradually moulded into a good steady pace that will result in some high mileage being covered (if you are wondering about the metaphor that I am slowly but surely obliterating, I am at the moment struggling to get back into shape for a half- marathon in May..Needless to say the road back to fitness is a long and tortuous journey and painfully all up hill!).

So this month we started a course at one of our biggest clients as well as continue to work with some other very big names on potential courses that they might be interested in. This was an awesome opportunity to test some of the aspects of the business model of Hale & Fun, such as what is one of our unique selling points (yes more sale training this month as well) the fact that we can offer personalised courses- A big hats off to the entire community of Hale & Fun who pull out all stops when the email came through requesting courses on courses ranging from literature, history and computers. Needless to say, all were very impressed with the speed and quality of the options we were able to provide.

Overseeing the course itself has also been an excellent learning experience for myself. For example, I have discovered that personalised attendee folders while a nice touch means that when 25 individuals turn up for a course that had only 9 listed it can all go to a shambles. We will also need to go back to the drawing board in terms of including the stickers and magnets since they kept falling out of the folders.

Of course, as with any big event there was major technological issues, with the new projector not working. Luckily, the facilitator, Dimitris was able to keep a cool head and soldier on. I fled to the lounge room and slowly panicked as any modern person does..sending text message to my business partners and colleagues about how everything had gone to hell!..I am not proud of this response.

Still all seems to be going well now that we are in our second week. We had an excellent return rate the second week and a much better venue. The feedback we are getting is in general very positive and that is the important thing.

Now onto more exciting things. This month along with the newsletter (with guest writers..I will come to that soon) we sent out a questionnaire asking our community about their interest in some of the directions we are planning for Hale & Fun- some of these are very exciting and as always will be breaking new grounds in facilitating learning as is what Hale & Fun is all about.

Here is the excerpt from our newsletter from our guest writers:

                                                  Denise Redmond

Bio:

Thirty two years teaching High School: English/ History Science: English /History Dip Teaching; Degree in Applied Biology; Chairperson initially and then Project Manager of Nardy House Inc a specialised facility catering for the respite and permanent accommodation needs of people with profound disabilities; Trade Union involvement with the NSW Teachers Federation; Political involvement with the Australian Democrats: Federal Candidate once; State Candidate twice

For those who dont know Nardy house- I recommend you check out http://thebegavalley.org.au/5393.html for more information on this excellent initiative to assist people with profound disabilities.

Rule Number 1: Try and envisage the world you are creating for your students the way they see it.

Teaching is often like finding yourself in the middle of a Leunig cartoon…it is best just to laugh at the visions created because there is a great deal to learn.

I was in an Ancient History class teaching a bunch of country lads and lasses and I was reading from an Ancient History source book. We were involved with Xerxes and the Persian Wars...

Xerxes is really unhappy; the sea is raging and it is upsetting his attempts to cross it and therefore invade Greece. Now what does this bold invader do? In his fury he casts fetters into the sea in order to calm it- sounds like a kid in a tantrum; you can actually see this mighty King hurling these fetters across the waves.

Then I hear this lass from up the back,” Good God Miss what is this maniac thinking hurling ferrets into the sea?” Now ferrets are a country thing; at some time all country children have something to do with them at some stage. Usually they are stuffing them down holes to catch rabbits not hurling them out to sea to calm waves.

I am taken aback and I for an instant I can see these airborne ferrets. It is a worrying image and I can sense her concern. “Not ferrets”, I say, “fetters,” and I repeat it, “fetters!”

She turns to her mate and says, ”Xerxes really is mad; now he is throwing cheeses!”

At that stage I leave the room and compose myself. Then I come back and explain the word fetters…

The interesting thing was that every student remembered that source and quoted it at length in their essays about the Persian Wars. They remembered the name of the King, they remembered his war with the Greeks and they remembered what he threw.

Really I think what they remembered were flying ferrets and cheeses and the look on their teacher’s face as she saw what they were seeing.

The second article is the first of a series that focuses on getting to know some of community members and who better to get the ball rolling than our very own Dimitris Lazos

What are my areas of interest?

Coming from a rather technical academic background, my areas of interest revolve around anything scientific. While topics related to physics, chemistry and mathematics appeal to me naturally, due to my studies, I have always been an avid enthusiast of knowledge in general. As such, over the years and in my free time, I have delved into the secrets of astronomy, biology, economics and history.

I believe that knowledge is above age and background; hence I am always eager to learn about something new. After all I do not believe in knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but knowledge that empowers individuals and makes them better people.

 

What are my teaching experiences?

I have always thought how fascinating it would be if I could share all this information with others. When I finally started my university program, I had the opportunity to start some casual tutoring for high school students. This was the beginning of a very exciting career in education related activities.

While never my main job, education has always been a source of income, but most importantly an activity that makes me happy and allows me to socialise with people from different backgrounds. In addition to coaching high school students, I have taught computer skills to several groups, driving skills to license candidates and scientific topics in special events.

What is my teaching style?

Through my experiences, both as a student and tutor I have developed a unique teaching style. I believe that using visual aids is imperative to engage the audience. As such I always try to accompany my classes with flashy presentations and pictures.

I also think that being simple and connecting to the students inspires them to pay more attention to what I’m saying. After all you would be rather indifferent to a dull person, wouldn’t you?

I am aware that everyone has their own reasons for learning. Whether it is for passing an exam, learning something new, or just spending an evening trying a new activity, I am always trying to connect and adapt to the expectations of my audience. This of course includes listening to the students. I believe teaching is a two way process and the teacher also learns new valuable experiences and lessons.

2012 newsletter

Hi all,
Well, the first newsletter for 2012 has been put to bed. Originally when I was putting the business plan together for 2012 (yes, I do have business plan despite the chaotic appearance) the idea of having something to say each month was quite daunting. I have enough trouble keeping the blog and twitter up to date yet alone figuring out how to fill an entire newsletter with information about the business that would interest people enough so it doesnt immediately get sent to the dreaded spam folder.

On the other hand, it does work well in two regards- firstly it forces me to remain very transparent with the facilitators which is a key component of the business model I am using in Hale & Fun and allows them to see a side of the business that they may not normally see and who knows they may come up with some suggestions on how to improve it. Even the short interviews I have each month with new potential facilitators has been a virtual cornucopia of ideas and improvements on the business so I suspect the newsletter will also become an important resource in making sure the business remains reactive and flexible. The other regard in which it works well is that it means that at least once a month, I have to take stock of what I have achieved and what I have not achieved. I know there is the business plan with its own list of goals and tasks for each months but it is so easy to simply put those sort of lists off- with a business newsletter you are forced to be answerable to those you work with (hmm, I dont like the sounds of that- afterall, I am the boss!), to make sure that each month something is achieved- something of note- it keeps the business active and stops you from simply going through the motions!


Cheers
Daniel

Cold Calling

I am not a big fan of cold calling, both receiving them and having to actual conduct them. Unfortunately, as I am coming to realise they actually work quite well. This surprised me quite a bit, since when I get an unexpected call from someone asking me if I am happy with my long distance phone call service I usually try to get off the line as soon as possible. Consequentially I have to start wonder exactly what I am missing out on. I might actually listen next time.

But when on the other side of cold calling, the problem I find is the repetition- "Hello, my name is Daniel White and I would like to talk to you about the entertainment options you provide for your members". Seriously, I am starting to say it in my sleep. Still in this day and age, when everyone has a website, our mail boxes are stuff to the brink with junk mail - both electronic and snail mail, I suspect that there is something to be said about the old fashion voice on a telephone.

And as I said, it does end in some positive results. We have recently been getting quite a few requests for some computer orientated courses to be developed. Which is exactly the sort of way I want our potential clients to view Hale & Fun. As a one stop shop, a place where they don't just order off the rack but get tailor made courses. So the call has gone out to our growing group of quite able facilitators to develop and submit some computer orientated courses. The plan is to dazzle our potential clients by how well we can give them exactly what they ask for, after all customer service is paramount to a small business and we want the clients to know we are ready for whatever they throw at us.

Back n Business and ain't it fine!

Hi all,
Happy New Year. It is a brand new year and Hale & Fun is planning on hitting the ground running..Granted this is the first business blog posting for 2012 and it is already a week into the year but let us not discuss this factor.

Overall, the business is looking good. There is no denying that developing the strong foundation took longer than expected but overall we have adhered to our strong philosophy of excellence in teaching and learning and that is the important thing. The diary is rapidly filling up with meetings, discussion forums and presentations all over Sydney area as people become more aware of the potential of what we offer. By all accounts, 2012 will truly be the year of education and entertainment in the third age in Sydney and Hale & Fun is prime to ride that wave all the way to success.

But enough with the back patting and strangely convoluted sayings and metaphors and back to business!