The Digital Drumbeat: Why It’s Never Too Late to Log On

A Reflection on Connection and Mastery

There’s a quiet assumption in the world—a kind of digital curtain drawn on a certain age—that suggests the time for learning new tricks has passed. The rapid, ever-changing landscape of computers and the internet is a game for the young, leaving our kupuna, our respected elders, waiting on the sidelines. But what if the story is not one of exclusion, but of a quiet, powerful movement toward connection, learning, and fun?

This is the narrative found at the Emeritus College in Honolulu, where the belief is simple: It’s never too late to start [02:10]. This program is a vibrant case study in turning intimidation into accomplishment, all through the simple, yet profound, act of logging on.

The Great Equalizer: Technology for Life

In today’s world, the computer is less a tool and more a gateway. It’s a way to be informed, to be heard, and to be present [01:55]. The team at Emeritus College understood that the greatest fear isn’t the machine itself, but the lack of opportunity and the feeling of being overwhelmed [02:24].

Their solution? A dedicated, up-to-date computer lab with 18 stations [04:13], designed not for high-pressure corporate training, but for practical joy. The curriculum is deliberately focused on the “fun area” of life [06:37].

What Seniors Learn to Do:

• Communicate and Connect: Mastering email to stay in touch with children and grandchildren, keeping the family loop tight [08:43].
• Preserve History: Scanning old photographs to digitize memories and creating beautiful, personalized slideshows with music and comments that can be shared on DVD with friends and family [07:31] and [14:46].
• Navigate the World: Using the internet for essential health information [09:17] and savvy travel planning—even finding out which seat is best on a particular airplane model [09:52].
• Basic Mastery: Starting with a basic class for seniors who don’t even know how to turn the computer on [13:10] and [19:54].

Patience and Practice

The heart of the program is its people: retired, patient, volunteer instructors [12:22]. They understand that new technology can feel like a bomb waiting to go off, and their first job is to ease that fear, teaching students that it’s okay, they didn’t break the machine [13:25].

The instructors stress the importance of patience and practice [14:46]. Classes are reasonably priced (most around $30) [14:06], but the true value lies in the Open Lab sessions, where students can practice with fellow classmates until they “get it,” even coming back repeatedly until their project, like a family slideshow, is finished [14:27]–[15:01].

The goal, as they say, is simple: “to relax and enjoy it” [26:33].

In the end, learning technology is not just about mastering a machine; it’s a declaration of continued life. It’s the ability to contribute more to one’s community, to engage, and to continue learning well into the future [26:45]-[26:59]. It is a lesson in dignity, proving that the digital age is an open door for everyone ready to step through it.

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Reference: [01:04] Interview with Tony Hathaway, Education Coordinator at the Kapiolani Community College Kupuna Education Center. [01:12] Interview with Edward Gionimoto, Emeritus College, Honolulu Community College. [01:20] Interview with Mary Ewan, Emeritus College, Honolulu Community College.

Video URL: Computer Training Just for Seniors and By Seniors