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How was it for you the first time you handled a smartphone? I bet it was exciting and fun navigating through different apps and functions, if ever you asked someone for help, I'm guessing it wasn't that often because most of the things we learn and know were mostly self-taught, by spending quality time with our phones, how many times have you been told that all you do is press phone from morning to night lolš¤£š¤£
The same can't be said for our elderly ones, some are reluctant to learn because they always have us around and it is maybe satisfying for them seeing their young ones operate and bring out unique features in a smartphone, the only thing they comfortably do is to send and receive calls.
My mother in law for instance doesn't take learning how to use a smart phone serious no matter how hard we try to make her learn some features we dim important like WhatsApp video and voice calls, so we can reach her in a better way when we are far away in our state of residence, but she finds more comfort in her small button phone even though she has two smartphones gifted to her by her children.
My dad on the other hand who is also from the 60's, never stops disturbing us to update him on the latest gadgets and functions of a smartphone, at first, I was impatient because I though if I showed him once he would just get it, because it seemed he got it that moment but then left it behind, for a while due to his busy day to day work and other activities, until when he needs to do that same activity with his phone again like checking the news website, putting a video call through to his relatives abroad and within, after fiddling with his phone for a while without succeeding, he eventually gives up and ask for our help.
All that is changed right now, my dad can navigate through basic applications and other features on his phone without needing too much assistance like before, wonder how we were able to achieve that, it took lots of patience on both side, yea, you read that right, anytime he asks for help, I make sure to show him each steps patiently, telling him to stay focused because he will have to repeat the steps for me, due to our friendly and understandable father and daughter relationship, he didn't take any offence in me being the superior at that moment, ha ha, did I tell you it felt good, anyways, my "guyman" I like calling him that, lol, was able to grasp those things he was interested in learning with a smartphone, like checking the updated news website, he has favorites, he even streams on YouTube and facebook at his leisure time, chatting on WhatsApp, and making video calls across to his contacts is easier for him now without much supervision from my end, except when his phone develops something unusual or he needs an update.
To me, I think it all depends on the individual, if they are willing, even at old age, they can still have some interest and learn how to use the smart phone themselves after being taught and we on our end have to be very patient.
This post is in response to the hive learners weekly contest, week 64, edition 2.