A smart device is one equipment that has a processor and can WhatsApp, sending & receiving short messages anywhere around the world for FREE and connect to the Internet. Examples … like your smartphone, tablet, iPhone, iPad, desktop & laptop computer, etc.
There are opportunities now to learn first before buying. It goes like this – There are two libraries, Bedok and Bukit Merah, having an iPad for loan program. I don’t quite know the details, but it goes something like this – you register for an iPad loan (normally is about for 3 weeks). You have to personally go to the library to collect it. Bukit Merah has the collection day, normally on the last and first Friday of the Month – in the evening. On the day of collection, a staff or volunteer (like me) will show you how to use the iPad, create a wireless@SG account (so that you can continue to use the iPad for the rest of the 3-weeks – in the library or anywhere that provide you with the free wireless@SG free Wi-Fi network.
Three weeks is not the end of your IT learning. If you are over 50 years old, you can use any library computers in any branch, FREE for the first hour. Subsequent extension of time will be on a nominal charge.
For those that are interested in this program, you can indicate your interests in this post. I will keep you inform of happenings related to IT whenever I know it.
Happy learning …
hewlee (EC)
Justbto borrow this thrrad for info sharing.
IDA is holding its annual silver infocomm day 2014 from 20 to 27 Sep 2014 at 4 venues. There are free talks and workshops of 3.5 hours each @ $10 cover many topics.
Link : http://www.sid2014.info/
Thanks Yew Kwong for your input. Yes, this is the time of the year where they (PA & iDA) recognise seniors who contribute, by appointing them SIWA.
hewlee
Thank you, Hew Lee.
I am interested to learn.
Bt Merah Library is nearer to my home.
Please keep me in the loop.
Priscilla Wee : )
Priscilla,
Go to Bukit Merah library and register for an iPad loan, hope is still available. I will be giving the briefing this last Friday slot.
Hewlee
Just to add on, after registering you need to attend a compulsory training class at the library on how to use ipad. Borrowing period is 3 weeks. Personally I think it is too much of a fuss as the demand will always exceed the supply of ipads. Although ipad is very user friendly the price is on the high end. Also I do not know what happens if you use it and it becomes defective before returning. Do we need to compensate?
Peter,
Just to share with you some info I know about seniors (50plus) picking up IT skills.
iDA together with PA, NLB and others are supporting seniors to bridge the digital divide. They have InfoComm Centers where seniors can pick up a skill or two on IT. NLB’s InfoComm center is in Woodlands Regional Library.
In addition, NLB has provided any senior with one hour free Internet access, in any library per day.
For those who don’t even know how to turn on a computer, they are encourage to loan an iPad from the library, come for briefing and lessons from me (if I am available) or from Woodlands Center (by library staff).
Why Apple iPad for loan, I believe is because of its portability, Apple OS is currently the best and has a user friendly operating system.
This iPad for loan is a means to seniors to pick up some skills. It is quite similar, if finally you use other smart devices which are not Apple base.
Your concern about damage of loan item, it is best you ask this during the briefing session. I personally believe if you did not physically damaged it, there is no reason it is caused by you.
Hewlee
Hi Hew Lee – I am still interested to learn IT – computer, smart phone. I am staying in East of S’pore. Kindly keep me inform of any learning session. I have registered for the Infocom for silver talk at ITE Semei on 28 Sep 2014.
Thank you.
Just one more thing Peter …
If you have time, do come to our meet the 50plus people (who are also interested in IT) at City Hall Food Court @ City Hall Shopping Center at (I think is 4th level). Date is on 27 Sept (Sat) and time 3pm to 5 pm. We all can learn and share our IT skills together.
Hewlee
Annie, at the current moment I am preparing a Digital Storytelling (or Familymemory.SG) 3-session course for six participants. It will be on 3-Fridays from 2PM to 5PM using my own resources in Oct. If you have time and are interested, do come for a briefing on 27 Sept (Sat) in City Hall FoodCourt @ City Hall MRT between 3PM to 5PM.
I am also considering an IT Camp for the K-12 (those just completed their PLSE and during the Dec holiday time for a 6-session Digital Storytelling Course. These K-12 kids must at least know how to surf the Internet to follow the course. One of the participants will be my grandson. Still working out the details.
hewlee
Hi-bro hew Lee
Unfortunately I am a window user and have no interest in apple. That is the reason why I do not use the ipad and iphone. I have a smartphone and android mini-pc using android system but find them only useful for watching movies and messaging.I am more comfortable with windows and recently I bought a tablet using windows 8.1 If you are having a course on win 8.1 I would like to attend.
I went to the website recommended by Y.C. and would rpropose that you use the subject list for your future IT courses or discussion.. It will create a basis for members to learn IT more systematically. I believe sharing IT is too general but if
you focus on a few topics at each meeting it will be more productive and fruitful.
I applaud your energy and enthusiasm to organise IT camps for the post-PSLE kids.but I assure you that kids nowadays definitely know how to surf the net because it is a reqt by schools. My 3 grandsons are very proficient in this except they channel their energy into playing online games, whatsapp facebook and youtube. What they do not realise is the danger of virus and malware infection and also to channel their energies into something productive such as e-reading or online courses etc that can assist them in their studies.
An example is recently my eldest grandson’s laptop is badly infected by virus and malware and I had to use superantispyware and malbytes to get rid of them.
regds
Peter