Digital Skills Impact Story
At 76 years old, Angelita O. didn’t expect her weekly guitar lessons at the Antioch senior center to lead her into the world of technology. But when a fellow musician told her about Community Tech Network’s digital skills program, she decided to take a leap.
In this interview with her instructor, Giang (Jen) Tran, Angelita shares the profound impact that the program has had on her life.
Why were you interested in learning to use technology?
At my age, I’m always open to learning new things. I want to grow, even at 76. For instance, I went to a McDonald’s in San Francisco, and everything was digital. I didn’t know how to place an order. I had to ask someone for help, and that made me realize I needed to learn digital skills. If I don’t learn, I won’t be able to do things on my own. That’s the reality for many seniors—we’re often left behind.
How has learning digital skills brought joy to your life?
It has definitely brought joy. There were so many apps that I didn’t understand before. I would click on things and not know what would happen next. Now, with your help, I’ve learned about Zoom, YouTube, and how to access the news. You’ve shown me so many things, and you’ve been so patient with me. I’m really thankful for that.
How did you discover this program?
I live in Antioch, California, and I learned about the program through the senior center here. I was taking music lessons and one of my classmates told me about it. She said, “You should apply for this; they are giving out tablets and will teach you how to use them.” So, I went to the office, filled out my information, and signed up.
What did you like the most about the classes or the program?
I loved learning about YouTube and how to use it to find information. You’ve shown me how to navigate through apps, how to click, and what gestures to use. The classes have also helped me understand things like health information and using Zoom. Before, I didn’t even know how to use Zoom, but now I feel confident.
Is there anything you intend to learn online now that you have mastered some skills?
Now that I know how to use YouTube, I want to learn how to play the ukulele and maybe even learn new recipes. You can learn so much from YouTube—everyone teaches everything there!
Why would you encourage someone to participate in this program?
Many seniors feel they can just ask their grandchildren for help, but learning how to do things on your own is important. It opens up so many possibilities and keeps us from being left behind.
Do you have anything else to add?
Your teaching is very well organized, and you started with the basics before moving on to more complex topics. That made it easier for me to understand. If you continue teaching this way, guiding learners through each step, it will be very effective. You’ve made a big difference for me.
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