Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Woodbridge campus has partnered with a non-profit to assist seniors with computer skills.
According to a release, the campus has partnered with Agape Love in Action for Wisdom Meets Technology, a free computer training for senior citizens in Prince William.
The idea came about through Corliss Udoema, a local business owner who recently was named Virginia Small Business Person of the Year. Corliss is a senior citizen herself, and felt it was important to teach other seniors how to use technology to improve their day to day lives.
“Learning is enhanced when seniors are encouraged and allowed to learn at their own pace. NOVA students are not trying to teach our seniors how to create a spreadsheet or anything advanced. The curriculum will be focused on learning the basics, how to turn on a computer, check their bank accounts and pay bills online, watch content online, use the Internet and learn how to send and receive emails and photos. We are very appreciative of this new partnership with NOVA’s Woodbridge Campus,” stated Udoema in a release.
NOVA information technology and cybersecurity students have been tasked with teaching 15 seniors that are enrolled in the training for this cycle.
The program, which will run through February 2, will teach seniors ages 65 to 87 how to use computer software and operating systems, and the work is tailored to the senior’s skill level and needs, according to a release.
Since the Wisdom Meets Technology program started, it has helped 414 seniors.
More on the program, from a release:
NOVA students serve as instructors to provide seniors a unique learning experience based on content at a pace suitable for their needs. Each class is structured to be small in size to provide individualized assistance to maximize the learning experience. At the completion of the course, participating seniors will be able to navigate the Internet, read and open emails, open and send email attachments, compose, edit, save and retrieve Microsoft Word documents.
When WMT graduated its first class of seniors in 2016 at Central Carolina Community College, in Sanford, N.C., Udoema was looking for additional locations to host the program after relocating to the northern Virginia area. She contacted the faculty and staff at NOVA-Woodbridge after speaking with Campus Provost Sam Hill about collectively offering seniors throughout Prince William County another option for educational resources. Udoema along with Dr. Paula Ford, assistant dean of information technology, Michael Turner, dean of students, and several faculty and staff worked together with NOVA students to create a course schedule and curriculum to highlight basic technology concepts. Lorton resident Sue Miller expressed her gratitude to the College and its students for helping her to become more comfortable when using a computer.
“I know absolutely nothing about computers. I don’t own one and my friends have been begging me for years to purchase one of my very own,” said Miller. I’m excited and looking forward to learning everything that I possibly can from the WMT program and our NOVA student instructors.”
For registration and/or additional information about Wisdom Meets Technology call (703) 686.4846.
