SERIOUS QUESTION -- Tips on teaching someone how to use the computer. See details?

Question

I am going to be getting paid to teach a mildly handicapped/disabled senior citizen basic computer skills. I know them and I know how to teach them but I was wondering if I could get some fresh ideas. He is running a Dell using Windows XP. Any suggestions?

Serious answers only please. I really want to help this man learn some basic and simple programs.

Answer 1

I fear for this man/woman if you are asking for tips and are getting paid for the job =\

But anyways, you should do the following..
Ask him what he knows.

REALLY REALLY BASIC
Teach him how to boot up his computer, log on to a user, create a user, delete a user, modify a user, shutdown a computer, restart a computer, sleep a computer, and hibernate a computer.

REALLY BASIC
Teach him how to move the mouse, left-click, and right-click.
Then teach him how to use the middle scroll button (if your mouse has it)
Show him where the numberpad and letters, tab, capslock, shift, ctrl, alt, insert, delete, backspace, enter, home, end, page up, page down, and print screen keys are.
Show him how to make everything capitalized (caps lock) and make sure he knows how to turn it off.
Show him the number lock key.
Show him the scroll lock key.

BASIC
Show him how to open folders and programs.
Show him how to create new folders and files (right click).
Teach him how to move folders into other folders.
Teach him how to winzip files for compression and organization
Show him to open basic software including the Microsoft Office set and a web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Slim Browser, etc.)

MORE
Teach him the basics of all the Microsoft applications starting with Microsoft Word. Then move on to Powerpoint and then Publisher. If he wants to make a website, teach him how to use Frontpage. After Frontpage, teach excel (teach him functions and macros!). End with teaching him access.

SOME MORE
Create an e-mail for him. Show him how to compose messages, view inbox, spam box, delete messages, and so on.
Teach him how to use GOOGLE! <--- majorly important, tell him how to PROPERLY use all the searching techniques, how to minimize as well as maximize found items and how to eliminate "off-topic" things; use the quotes, or, and, and not! show him how to do an advance search. Also show him google's awesome image, video, and book search as well as Froogle.
Teach him how to use an instant messaging service of some kind.

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You can teach the senior citizen to properly maintain a computer and how to prevent obtaining viruses (i.e. look out for bad e-mails, how to spot an insecure connection, how to prevent malware/adware, how to check for it and delete it)

Answer 2

What a large number. When she comes this time, don't permit her stick with you. It was once no longer your plan for her to come back, so she will have to have made her possess preparations. Even if she begs, keep organization. When she's on the town, ensure you're spending plenty of time along with your female friend. Maybe if this different lady sees that you're in a fantastic dating, she is going to ultimately backpedal. Still, as soon as she is going again dwelling, should not have any extra touch together with her. Every pleasant factor you do offers her the improper inspiration. Hope you get out of this!

Answer 3

get with the basics, i have a dell, u have to teach them how to open and close the programs, turn on and off the computer, then, after the basics, u might wanna teach how to use a blog site, or use microsoft word, and maybe download music files, it all depends on the person learning

Answer 4

You could teach him how to get on the Internet, how to pay his bills , phone bill , pg&e , how to check his bank account, how to transfer from saving to checking, how to buy food , how to order piza, how to call the cab.

how to type a letter, how to send a fax, how to use a serch engine to look for any thing.

Answer 5

As far as the use of the mouse - you may want to teach him how to 'right click'. It gives you handy options and it's easy to remember to 'right click' when in doubt.
Also show him the benefit of using 'My Documents'. If he can first remember to store things in 'My Documents', it will be easier to locate his files later.

Keep it simple. Right Click. My Documents.
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Answer 6

Well-------- ask him what he knows so far! Then just ask him what he woiuld like to learn and you can teach him that!