From smartphone to AI. New skills for seniors

Seniors learn how to use smartphones, applications, network security, and creative AI tools. Partners of the “Digital world and cybersecurity” class are Orange Polska, BNP Paribas and NASK.

Just a few years ago, people talked mainly about the digital exclusion of seniors. Today the picture is much more complex. More and more older people use the Internet regularly and treat it as a tool for dealing with everyday matters.

The study “Seniors in the world of digital finance” conducted this year on behalf of the Warsaw Institute of Banking shows that as many as 77 percent older people currently use the Internetprimarily banking services, but also searching for information, shopping and contacting family and friends. This is one of the most important signals of change – older generations are becoming more and more actively involved in the digital world, although there is still a need for further training and support in this area. This is where the need for systemic education comes into play.

The ABCsenior.com platform was created after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. When we were cut off from the world and locked in our homes, seniors especially needed reliable knowledge and learning how to use new technologies. It was then that the first version of the Online School for Seniors was created, these were thematic courses. Today, due to the changing needs of users and the development of the platform, it looks slightly different – it consists of classes on various topics – movement and well-being class, health and longevity, travel and foreign languages, cinema and culture and a good book.

Today you can sign up for the course My first smartphone for beginners and My favorite smartphone for advanced users. In the first edition of the Online School for Seniors in a new class formula, over 36,000 people from all over Poland took part in these two courses alone. This proves that the motivation to learn is huge.

– In my experience, participants are extremely motivated. They come to classes because they want to exercise their heads, develop their competences and learn about new technologies that force them to change every day. Age is not a limitation here, but even an advantage – life experience helps them make sense of new tools faster – says Przemysław Kołtuniak, a regional trainer at Orange Polska, who specializes in digital education of seniors and the digitally excluded.

From basics to advanced features

The digital school divides participants into levels – from beginners to advanced – but the boundaries are flexible. Morning classes teach the basics: smartphone configuration, email settings, installing applications, managing the home screen, font enlargement and contrast. For many seniors, these are issues that previously seemed difficult and frustrating.

– We often start with the simplest activities, such as turning on the Internet, understanding the icons on the screen or installing applications. For some, this is only their first contact with the digital world. But you can see great satisfaction when, after a few classes, the participant makes a transfer on his own, buys a ticket online or sends a photo to his family – describes Kołtuniak.

At the same time, many seniors immediately take classes at an advanced level. This part of the course includes AI tools, advanced photography and photo correction, planning trips and scanning documents with a phone. The trainer emphasizes that this is not “theory for theory’s sake”:

– We do not show AI or advanced functions in isolation from everyday life. We will show you how to prepare a travel route, how to book cheap accommodation, how to process a photo or make a presentation for your family. Seniors surprise us with their ideas – they suggest other applications that work in similar situations. This shows that they are active participants in the learning process, not just listeners.

Safety that stays in your mind

This is an important aspect of the classes cybersecurity in practice. Seniors learn how to protect their data, how to recognize fake news, how to pay online and use mobile banking without stress. Kołtuniak points out that such security is best learned in a specific context:

– We do not talk about threats in general. We discuss each new application in practice – the participant installs it on his or her phone and we immediately show what to watch out for, what are the safe settings, and how to react in difficult situations. This is when knowledge stays for a long time – he explains.

Seniors often ask about issues that are unclear to many users: what cookies are, whether it is safe to provide card details in an online store, why the application asks for access to specific phone functions. These questions demonstrate the growing awareness and need to understand how networks work.

The opinions of seniors who participated in the first edition of the courses show how important practical digital education is. Teresa recalls: “Cool way of conducting, casual conversation and live presentation. The trainers are so nice that you want to participate.” Lija adds that the information was provided “very accessible and to the point”, and Jan emphasizes the practical nature of the classes.

Seniors’ opinions also confirm the effectiveness of the approach. Mariola notes that the applications presented during the course are “for retirees,” and Hala cannot hide her delight in the atmosphere: “The instructors’ sense of humor is disarming!” Krystyna, on the other hand, says it straight: “This is the best smartphone training class I have ever taken part in. The teachers were very nice, thank you.”

Everyday life in a new dimension

The courses also cover practical issues: arranging medical appointments, using the Online Patient Account, planning city and intercity trips, and booking accommodation. Seniors quickly see the value of these skills in everyday life.

– We show how technology can make life easier. From purchasing a ticket, through planning a trip, to translation while traveling. Seniors appreciate every such element. Sometimes they discover features that were previously unknown to them and share these ideas with other participants. It’s beautiful that learning is interactive and lively – says Kołtuniak.

Thanks to access to the recordings, everyone can go back to the material if they missed something. This is especially important in large groups, where meetings sometimes take place 1,700 participants. –Even if someone doesn’t manage to ask a question in the chat or doesn’t master something the first time, they can always go back to the recording. This is a great support and reduces stress. Seniors really appreciate it, the coach adds.

Growing curiosity and creativity

Over time, seniors themselves propose new topics: how to react if they lose their phone, how to use location applications, how to create songs or graphics in AI. Kołtuniak notes that curiosity and willingness to experiment grows with the participants’ experience:

– At the beginning there are questions about the basics, then seniors want higher functions. Now AI and creative applications are one of the most frequently discussed topics. I see that it’s not only learning – it’s also fun and personal development.

How to start

Registration for classes in the Online School for Seniors takes place via: page ABC Senior. Just fill out the form and choose the class you are interested in – both beginner and advanced. Classes are free, conducted live online, and access to recordings allows you to learn at any pace.

– The most important thing is that the senior feels supported and can ask questions and return to the materials. This builds self-confidence and allows you to truly enjoy the digital world to its fullest – emphasizes coach Kołtuniak.

Additionally, Orange has prepared a special website dedicated to seniors. For seniors. You can sign up for stationary workshops there, watch instructional videos or browse the “Welcome to the world of smartphones” guide with tips especially useful for all beginners. It was created based on experience from webinars and workshops for seniors. Those interested will find there answers to questions about how to enlarge the font on the phone, connect to the Internet, how to use voice text messages and download useful applications. The guide is also an excuse to talk to your loved ones about the dangers, e.g. how not to fall for the “grandchild method” or fake text messages.

Using the Internet by seniors opens up new opportunities for them – from maintaining contacts with loved ones, through developing passions, to easy access to information and services. Digital school for seniors shows best that age is not a barrier to learning new technologies. On the contrary – life experience, regularity and motivation enable mature people to build their competences in the digital world, which gives them real independence, a greater sense of security and satisfaction with everyday life.