Who needs artificial intelligence when you have high school students with real digital intelligence.
In a generational reversal of older people tutoring younger people with their writing, math and other subjects in school, Wrangell High School Student Government volunteers will tutor the community’s senior citizens in the digital world — a world that did not exist when the senior citizens were in high school.
The school volunteers will be at the Irene Ingle Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 4, providing free advice, assistance, guidance and tutorials on using smartphones, tablets, laptops, email, social media and anything else with keystrokes, thumb swipes, voice commands or screen clicks.
The first-of-its-kind event in town is called “Tech Savvy Seniors.”
“We aim to bridge the gap between generations and help those who find it difficult to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology in our society,” student government representative Mia Wiederspohn wrote in a statement to the school board. It’s a polite way of saying, if you feel overwhelmed by technology that seems to change faster than the weather, come ask the students for help.
The idea started when a Wrangell senior citizen saw online news reports of similar events in other states and suggested the school give it a try. No doubt there are people in town who could use some assistance with their electronic devices but don’t have a savvy grandkid to walk them through the owner’s manual.
Tech Savvy Seniors on May 4 is a great opportunity for community members to reach across generations for a common purpose — helping and being helped. It’s a pretty savvy way for younger people to help older people with new technologies.
It’s also a new way of building on an old idea, where a community benefits when everyone shares their skills for the good of all.
-- Wrangell Sentinel
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