Learn Computer Skills from Your Child

For adults who didn’t grow up with a computer on every desk, an internet connection in every office and email as the widest form of contact learning computer skills can be a daunting challenge.

If you have a child in the house it’s likely that their knowledge will soon outstrip yours but it’s possible that they could be your best teacher. Children explain things simply (albeit sometimes a bit too quickly) and will probably enjoy the role reversal of teaching you something for a change.

Back To Basics

Today’s children seem to be born knowing how to approach computers and there is some evidence to show that this ‘internet generation’ learn differently to previous generations. To get the best out of your child’s computer knowledge go right back to basics and start from scratch. The way they teach you might seem strange but by going back to basics you’ll be used to their teaching methods by the time you get to the new information.

Email And The Internet

The internet is incredibly simple when you know what you’re looking for, and the right questions to ask. You’ve obviously mastered simple searching to find this article but there’s a lot more to search engines than it first appears – get your child to talk you through advanced search options that let you search within a site, a country or within a first set of results and you’ll find what you’re looking for far more quickly.

Email might seem to be a poor substitute for getting a letter from a distant friend but it can be a brilliant way of staying in touch with friends. Taking email one step further are instant messenger systems and internet phone calls so you can actually speak to friends and family in real time for free. Your child probably knows all about VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and can get you set up and show you how to make a call.

Digital Cameras And Other Grown Up Toys

MP3 players, digital cameras and other multimedia gadgets might seem out of reach because the instruction manuals are incomprehensible but a computer savvy child will be able to talk you through how to set them up, install the relevant software and teach you how to use them. Rather than asking them to do all this for you, get them to talk you through it. You won’t learn anything just watching someone else press buttons and your child (or grandchild) won’t always be there to do things for you.

After you’ve learnt the ropes with one installation you’ll realise that most digital gadgets work in much the same way.

Choosing the Right Equipment

If you’re looking to buy a new computer take a computer savvy child or teen with you to the shop. Their more advanced computer skills will come in handy when talking to the sales assistants in store. Giving you the confidence to ask for what you want rather than taking home what the sales people decide you should have.