Educating the aging population with technology skills benefits elementary students

Pictured front row, from left, are Thelma Carr, Shirley Dixon, Gladys Jerkins, Christine Kinsey and Queen Powell; second row, Verna Smith, Sarah Loftin, Idella McDaniel, Hannah Gray, Mary Willis, Flinchianna Hargett and Shirley Rhodes; and third row, Mary Brimage, Louise Bledson, Dora Miller, Jessie McDaniel, Lula Brown, Mary Becton and HRD Instructor Felecia Ward Brinkley.

Lenoir Community College-Jones County Center recently offered the class, “Technology in the Workplace,” in which employees of Coastal Community Action participated. Coastal Community Action networks with elementary schools in Jones and Craven counties to enrich the lives of young students through mentorship with elderly citizens whom they employ. The employees earn a humble $2.65 per hour, but consider the rewards of mentoring and supporting the educational efforts of young students a far greater reward. 

Eighteen such employees under the careful guidance of Felicia Brinkley, LCC instructor, took part in the “Technology in the Workplace” class. The class covered basic keyboarding, use of email, introduction to social media. Microsoft Word and internet search tools. 

All 18 participants successfully completed 40 hours of classwork and received certificates. In a rapidly evolving world of technology, equipping seniors with basic skills in modern technology lessens the generational gap and enhances their valuable roles in supporting young students, Brinkley said.