Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association

4th Floor, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
email: ascca@seniorcomputing.org
Phone: 02 9286 3871
ABN 47 097 847 642
ACN 097 847 642

The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (known as ASCCA) is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. It is a Public Benevolent Institution, and gifts over $2 are tax deductible. ASCCA is the National Peak Body for Seniors and Technology.

Membership of ASCCA is open to all Computer Clubs for Seniors, Organisations with a membership of seniors, and Organisations and Corporate bodies that recognise the value of computer technology for seniors. Cost of Membership is $100 per year. The Association will advise and support existing clubs; help establish new clubs; liaise with the three spheres of Government and other organisations on behalf of the membership, organise seminars and like activities and seek out discounts for members. It has become a catalyst to enthuse, encourage, empower and assist seniors to explore the satisfaction and advantages of using computer technology.

The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) is a non-profit organisation linking Computer Clubs for Seniors. It provides a channel for communication between like-minded people, who want to share in the potential of the computer age to serve their individual and community goals.

ASCCA has been able to establish worthwhile contacts in Government Departments, Corporate Organisations and Educational Bodies through a willingness to participate in workshops, forums, conferences, etc.

Seniors Computer Clubs are helping to meet the needs of seniors who want to know more about computers.

The prime objective of the clubs is to teach seniors to use and enjoy the benefits of computer technology. Each club has a number of members who act as tutors or trainers. The important difference in this learning style is that most older people prefer to be taught by people of a similar age, they want to learn specific things and not undertake a course of information that may or may not be of use to them. Most of all they want to learn at their own pace.

Seniors can be hesitant to attempt to use computer technology, they can be plagued by negative thoughts - will I be able to do it - could I make a fool of myself? Computer Cubs for Seniors provide an excellent solution - they provide a friendly and non- threatening environment. The new member gains confidence in using a computer and in using the programmes on the club's computers.

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Training opportunities provided by clubs
Clubs provide a non-threatening and friendly environment where seniors can learn from seniors. They can learn what they choose to learn and they can learn at their own pace.

Trainers in computer clubs are volunteers who pay to belong to the club. Some clubs do waive term fees for trainers. Training in the clubs is usually on a one to one, to a one to three basis. Some clubs also offer small classes as an option on specific software programmes. Several clubs have also developed special interest groups such as family history or graphics. Those participating in special interest groups usually has some basic computer knowledge and find the small group excellent for learning and interaction. Each club is autonomous and selects the style of learning that best suits their members.

Clubs have a variety of software installed on their computers to suit the needs and interests of their members and include word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, desk top publishing, graphics, financial packages etc. Established clubs are linked to the Internet.

Clubs usually have a monthly meeting where guest speakers are invited to demonstrate new software or hardware, introduce a website such as their local council's website, or explain how to use ATMs, EFTPOS, phone banking or the Internet for banking.

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Why do Seniors come to Computer Clubs?
Many arrive at a club and confess that son or daughter has just bought a new computer and has given them the old one. They hasten to add that the son or daughter is extremely clever but very busy and they haven't had time to show them how to work the computer. Usually expressing the reassuring comment to their parent that it is quite easy and that they should have no trouble. After a pause the senior quietly asks "Could you show me how to turn it on please?"

Yet others come to a club because their family has encouraged them to 'go and do something about learning to use a computer'. However, they don't even know if they want to use a computer! The clubs assure them that they can learn to use a computer at the club to find out for themselves if they want to become a computer user.

Seniors who have recently retired and have had some computer experience in the workplace join because they want to extend the perimeters of their knowledge and learn how to use a computer for their own purposes.

It is pleasing to note that the computer skills gained by seniors are often used to enable them to participate in other community groups, e.g. as Secretary, Treasurer etc. Yet others use their new skills to take up work, usually part time and very often in a family business.

The Internet draws other seniors to a club. Some want to be able to keep in touch with friends and families. Yet others want to learn how to use the Internet to shop, chat, research, buy and sell shares, and pay bills.

ASCCA is aware that many seniors successfully complete TAFE and Community College courses and enjoy the experience. By necessity these courses have a set curriculum and a time frame in which to teach all that is included in the curriculum. This does not cater for the senior who is not able to cope with the speed of the presentation; finds it difficult to put their question into words, and be quick enough to ask their question, and who generally feels inadequate. These people have found the experience unsatisfactory. So when they hear about a club and realise that seniors generally learn differently these people can decided to try again but this time in a club specifically set up to help seniors learn about computer technology.

All people are individuals and have different levels of education, adaptability, hearing and vision so even a class containing only seniors can present all of the above problems too.

Many clubs have benefited greatly by participating in appropriate TAFE courses.

Cost is another major factor disadvantaging seniors on limited fixed incomes. Courses offered specifically for seniors or discounts offered in general classes still make the cost too high for some seniors. Computer clubs have low fee structures

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Age is no barrier
Age is certainly no barrier. One lady decided at the age of 93 that she would like to write her memoirs and she decided to learn how to use a computer to help her achieve her objective. She is now 97 and has published two volumes of her memoirs!

Another lady, aged 84, wrote to The Australian complaining that no-one had offered to teach her how to use a computer. One of our club members saw the letter and passed it on to the club nearest to where the writer lived. She was invited to join the club, did so and now delights in the work she can prepare using her computer for her local CWA group. She has been heard to say "You know, when I visit my friends in hostels and even nursing homes, instead of glumly contemplating my future entry, I look about to see where my computer will fit, and think happily of all the time I’ll have available to work on it."

Learning is a life-long experience and if a senior is motivated to use a computer and seek the support and encouragement of peers at a Computer Club for Seniors that person is likely to succeed.