How lockdown made us tech savvy
Whanganui residents are emerging from a second Covid-19 lockdown in two years with improved tech skills. People have been upskilling out necessity, and, as Liz Wylie discovers, it has been a community effort.
Age Concern Whanganui manager Michelle Malcolm has not had any calls from people struggling with technology as she did during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
“Last time people struggled with things like online grocery shopping and internet banking,” Malcolm said.
“I’m not saying some people might not still be having problems but I’m certainly not hearing from them.”
Malcolm said there had been support from staff at Whanganui District Library, SeniorNet, and students at Whanganui City College to help people upskill.
“The classes with City College were really good,” Malcolm said.
“It was really great to see the interactions and the students were very kind and respectful. I think they enjoyed themselves and I know some of our group couldn’t wait for their next session.”
City College principal Peter Kaua said students did enjoy being “tech teachers” during the weekly sessions with Age Concern.
“They said it was like teaching their nanas and koro.
“One man had an old push-button mobile phone and the students were fascinated because they had never seen one.
“He wanted to watch videos on his phone so a student showed him how to go online and find a plan that included a phone upgrade.”
Kaua said a woman wanted to access Spotify and thought it might be expensive.
“A student helped her download it for free and he plugged his Bluetooth speaker in.
“The students had never heard of Neil Diamond but they have now and everyone got to listen to Hot August Night together.”
Kaua hoped the collaboration will be able to continue eventually as they were good experiences for everyone. “It makes you think, doesn’t it? “If Covid had happened 30 years ago we wouldn’t have had the level of technology for remote learning and some people would have been very isolated.”
Malcolm said local bank branches had also been very supportive in getting people up to speed with internet banking.
“We invited staff from the local bank branches to come to Age Concern and give internet banking lessons and those were really good as well.”
Co-operative Bank Whanganui manager Jon Palmer said the branch had also offered tutorials at the bank.
“I wouldn’t put an age bracket on it because we see a range of people who have been resistant to internet banking,” he said.
“There can be a lot of reasons but people are wary of scams and worry about online safety.”
Palmer said customers were shown how to protect their details online and shown how to download the banking app and use it safely on their phones.
“We’re open for reduced hours under level 3 and we have been quite busy,” he said.
“We are a cashless bank now so they are not coming in to withdraw money. Some still need to make cash deposits but often they want to discuss things like term deposits and they prefer to do it in person.”
While many seniors have adapted to the digital world in response to lockdown restrictions, early learners have also become more tech-savvy along with their parents.
While primary and secondary students complete lessons online, early childhood centres are keeping in touch with little learners.
Te Heti Kura Te Kohanga Reo administrator Lisa Reweti said there had been plenty of virtual communication since the start of level 4 on August 18.
“We have Zoom meetings with parents and tamariki and we have a private Facebook page where wha¯nau can post all kinds of ideas, stories and keep in touch with each other,” she said.
BestStart Glasgow Street has some children of essential workers attending this week and other children and parents can attend virtually, said head teacher Tori Friis.
“We have a private online forum named Story Park where parents and children can log in to see what we’re doing”.
Friis said there are scheduled group readings.