Nurturing Relationships with Technology

This application is to purchase a set of 10 ipads for classroom based learning particularly targeted towards the BMI community of 50+. I saw the joy of my father and children, when he started to make comments on their Facebook pages. I taught him to use the iPad to keep in touch with his grandchildren. I wanted to help my mother to learn how to use the iPad in a fun and relaxed environment. With her traditional Indian background and lack of confidence with her English, her life has become increasingly isolated. This is not just the case for people from BME backgrounds, but for senior people from all backgrounds. As a former teacher and parent, I feel I am in a unique position to support and nurture the needs, not just for the teachers, but also for our aging population of which only 8% are regular users of the internet. I was very surprised, that there was NO facility in the area to help my mother to learn. Only college courses with tests and examinations. Something she definitely did not need and would not help her confidence and self esteem. I discussed this with the local community center and was informed they had no one to deliver such a workshop or the equipment. I am in a position where I can start off such a workshop and by empowering key older people, with the skills, knowledge and confidence, they would be able to continue to teach other people from their own backgrounds and in a language they feel confident to communicate with, as well as have fun. Creating connectivity between older and younger generations, with the use of technology is empowering for all. For young people, it creates greater self-esteem to know they can communicate with their older family members at anytime and location is not a hindrance. For senior people, the feeling of being isolated is addressed through cognitive engagement and interactivity. https://www.facebook.com/eDiN.community