Workshops help people learn how to use smart phones and other devices

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She added that despite being so prominent in society for so many years, there are still many people who have not had any experience with smart phones.

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“We’ve had quite a few people coming in and the device is still in the box,” said Eckert.

“There’s a lot of fear associated with technology devices. There’s a lot of people that have been given devices by family members but weren’t really instructed on how to use it.”

The Literacy Society will hold two workshops on Friday, Jan. 21, and another two the following Friday, each of which will be geared towards specific devices.

Digital Literacy Workshop dates for January (image courtesy of the Literacy Society of the North Okanagan)

The program mainly targets seniors, but anyone is welcome to get support in learning about their devices.

Additionally, the society offers one-on-one support with volunteers.

Eckert said they will also be hosting more basic workshops in February and some advanced workshops in March, which will teach people about using social media, accessing proof of vaccination, and setting up Zoom, Facetime and messenger to help people get connected with their families.

“A lot of people are just not getting together with their family right now, and a lot of the seniors that we’ve been working with are isolated, they’re very afraid, and this gives them a way to check in on their grandkids and be able to see how their growing without the risks.”

Digital Literacy Workshop dates for February and March (image courtesy of the Literacy Society of the North Okanagan)

The advance workshops will also help walk through some more complicated actions, like online banking, but won’t delve too deep into those topics.

“So, you know, what you would do on online banking, what abilities and capabilities exist with online banking. But we wouldn’t necessarily be going around to each person and helping them to download the app and set up their accounts. We tend to stay away from anything to do with very secure password requirements.”

Eckert added that plans are in the works to offer personal computer workshops as well, though dates for those sessions have yet to be determined.

She said that the world is moving more and more virtually and it’s very important to help people learn how to overcome their fears and use their devices.

The society is following COVID protocols and will require mask use and proof of vaccination in order to participate. Eckert told Vernon Matters that since the participants won’t have access to digital documents, they can bring in the card they were given when they got the vaccine or a printed copy of their proof of vaccination.

“Usually, when we speak with them prior to the workshop, we tell them what we require and a lot of them will go and ask their family members to help them, or they pop in and we help them prior to the workshop to get their vaccine card on their actual phone, but we will accept the ones given when they were given their vaccines.”

The workshops will be limited to eight participants. Those who wish to attend can email the society at digitalsupport@literacysociety.ca or call 250-275-3117. These contacts can also be used to book one-on-one sessions.