07 Mar Lifelong Learning: Digital Literacy at Any Age

Where do you dream of being when you are 81 years of age? Retired on a scenic tropical island? Nestled comfortably in the mountains connecting with nature and enjoying the view? Or maybe poolside in your back yard with a great book in hand and not a care in the world?

We all dream of living “the good life” when we reach our senior years, but how many of us decide to expand our horizons by conquering a new skill? Especially when that skill is something you know nothing about and something that downright intimidates you?

I had the pleasure of meeting such a risk-taker in what I thought would be just another Computer Basics class. Instead, I ended the class inspired and envious of a gentleman who was willing to undertake what he considered an almost impossible, monumental challenge … learning how to use a computer.

He entered the classroom telling me he knew absolutely nothing about the computer and that he couldn’t even correctly spell the word! (I quickly saw that he was right.) However, in three short hours, I witnessed a man who was listening, taking notes, asking questions, and putting forth his best effort. Had he mastered the intricacies of this machine in three hours? Of course not! But he had been able to access the internet, minimize/maximize windows, and even copy and paste. A real, measurable accomplishment.

Many people would simply write this gentleman off and send him out to pasture, but this life-long learner proved it’s never too late to learn something new. With the right mind set, determination and initiative, anything is possible. His eyes were opened to a new world, and my eyes were opened to a whole new perspective and outlook.

We all make assumptions each and every day, one being it’s too late for an 81-year-old to learn a new trick. It is my pleasure and honor to have been proven completely wrong.

If you’re ready to prove yourself wrong and learn new computer skills, call or visit your nearest Goodwill Career Solutions center. You can also watch hundreds of tutorials from home at GCFLearnFree.org.

Thomas Lee is the Digital Literacy Project Manager for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. He has been employed with Goodwill for five years. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, psychology and secondary education with certification to teach, and is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Master Instructor. He is currently pursuing his confirmation as a Certifed Professional Resume Writer.