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Vidyanidhi institute crafts course for seniors and Down’s affected
Nidhi Soparawala finds about an institute that offers computer courses for senior citizens……………..Nidhi Soparawala Vidyanidhi Info Tech Academy (VITA) at Juhu has started a computer course specially designed for senior citizens and also for children suffering from Down’s syndrome.
Because of senior citizens’ suggestions and willingness to learn computers VITA started a separate course for them. VITA found that seniors take a little longer to learn as compared to the young and lose confidence if they are put in the same batch as that of the youngsters. However, if allowed to learn at a more comfortable pace, seniors could be equally proficient in using computers. This course gives the senior citizens a basic knowledge of computers for daily activities including letter-writing; internet services such as e-mail, e-cards, online railway and airline reservations, using search engines for finding information; using CDs, pen-drives digital cameras.
VITA has trained 400 senior citizens till date by charging them a minimal amount as fees. “Nothing is impossible and this is what we have tried to make the senior citizens, who often feel left out and less confident. Our focus is implementation in daily life. This course has been able to boost their morale and confidence. This course provides an opportunity to make friends from different fields,” says Savita Thakur, director of VITA, adding, “The senior citizens forget all their problems and enjoy learning computers”.
Renu Nagpal, coordinator and interpreter who also teaches English at the corporate level, states, “I came to know about this course through one of my friends who also had done this course earlier. It’s more like mouth to mouth publicity. I am willing to learn new things related to computers so that I feel at par with the world. This course has opened new vistas for me.” She agrees that computer is a medium through which she has been able to connect to the world with confidence.
A 75-year-old student admitted that he did this course to kill time and he wants to learn everything new even if it is from a 5-year-old child. There were a few senior citizens who claimed that learning this course would make them independent.
All the students are happy with Vaishali Shah, their teacher who knew their requirements and taught them with absolute patience, tolerance and complete attention.
Vaishali said, “The key to success of this course is to treat the senior citizens with love, respect and patience. There have been instances where even physically challenged senior citizens as well as those with shivering problem have been able to operate computers. The senior citizens need special attention and I as a teacher have to deal with to their ego and satisfy it. But all the efforts are fruitful as I get blessings from all my students who are actually elder to me”.
VITA has come up with another computer course for children with Down’s syndrome. The course is free-of-charge and comprises six classes of two hours each. They began this course when POD (Association of Parents Of Down’s syndrome) approached them. Savita stated, “The course for children with Down’s syndrome is purely for social welfare. We are promoting a good cause.”
She wanted the children to learn in an easy manner and so she found a software named Tuxpaint, which can be freely downloaded and which made it easier for the children with such problem to grasp the procedure of working on computers. The parents of these children are very satisfied with the progress of their children.
Amrita Shetty, who was amazed by her daughter’s eagerness to work on computers, says, “Mouse control in itself is an achievement for our children,” stated one of the satisfied mothers. “The new software has attracted these children to such an extent that my daughter Ashrita loves operating a computer even at home.”
Vimla Goyal, a 71-year-old mother says, “If my son can do something good and knowledgeable, then why not let him go ahead with what he wishes? He is so interested and excited about coming for this computer class, that he finishes his daily chores as early as he can just to be on time for the class. I am incredibly happy with his progress.”
Parents of these children have started expecting even more since their children have been able to grasp unexpectedly well. One of the parents asserted that such children should be kept along with those of their kind rather than those who are normal otherwise they are bound to feel left-out and discouraged. Savita Thakur and Vaishali Shah, who teach these children, admit that they will miss them a lot as the kids are loving, caring and innocent.
“Nothing in the world can be done without teamwork. Then management has been very supportive and Vaishali has always been there whenever I needed her,” accepts a modest Savita. On the other hand Vaishali said she is thankful to Savita for trusting in her ability to teach.
VITA’s future plans include special tally course for senior citizens, single day workshops to introduce various updates that come up like Google Earth, Youtube and so on.
These workshops will be starting from next month onwards. VITA as a whole should be credited for introducing programmes that benefit society and make the lives of the senior citizens and children with Down’s syndrome simpler and interesting. |