Students and seniors are set to team up at the Bundaberg Regional Library for a program all about exploring technology in a digital world.
The Be Connected Young Mentors Program will begin soon with local high school students and elderly residents joining forces to learn, understand and work together.
Council’s Information Services Librarian Stephen Harris said he wanted to create the workshop after being inspired at a recent mentoring forum.
“The idea came about through networking at a Digital Mentoring forum in Sydney where I was fortunate enough to engage with members from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner of Australia,” he said.
“The aim of the program is to facilitate essential digital learning for older community members but also to give young people the opportunity to develop valuable teaching, leadership and communication skills.”
Technology program
Stephen said 10 students from Bundaberg State High School would take part in the program along with 10 seniors from the community.
“The students can experience service in the community and participate in a leadership program that ties in with ICT electives at school,” he said.
“Students get to think for themselves and solve problems in an environment of reciprocal learning.”
Stephen said the program was also a chance for the seniors community to see technology as a wonderful opportunity and not feel overwhelmed.
“Seniors get to engage with the digital environment at their own pace,” he said.
“It will help seniors overcome any fears of technology that they might have and to explore an online world in a friendly and supportive way.”
The Be Connected Young Mentors Program will be launched at Bundaberg Regional Library on Tuesday, 20 August at 1.15 pm.
