Get Computer Help at Home

As a Boynton Beach computer tutor, I regularly help my neighbors learn to use the latest tablets, smartphones, and laptops at home.

In fact, I’ve spent the past few years giving personalized computer lessons to seniors in nearby communities, including Huntington Pointe, Palm Isles, Valencia Isles, and Valencia Reserve.

I’ve given local residents the knowledge and confidence to:

• Easily send email to friends and family.
• Download eBooks and top-rated games.
• Share colorful vacation photos on social media websites.
• Shop on popular online stores.

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My Student, Julie

One of my students — Julie — was nervous about using her new tablet when I first met her.

“I’m 80 years old and my hands hurt so much I can barely hold a pencil,” she told me. “I’m not sure why I bought a tablet computer.”

There’s a good reason why she got it: She wanted to stay in touch with her family. Unfortunately, her arthritis was making it difficult for her to type on the computer keyboard from her desktop computer.

“Don’t worry, Julie,” I said. “I’ll make it easy for you to use your tablet.”

She looked at me skeptically and said, “Nonsense. Years ago, they didn’t have all these fancy computers.”

I knew she felt overwhelmed. So, I started her computer lesson slowly.

“Tell me what you’d like to accomplish,” I told her. “You don’t have to know how to use everything on your tablet.”

Gradually, we got started with the lesson.

I didn’t just do a demonstration of how to use the tablet. Instead, I had Julie hold it, and I guided her through the step-by-step process of using it to send email, share updates on Facebook, shop on Amazon.com, and download photos of her children and grandchildren.

She started learning immediately. And, whenever she got stuck, I gave her hints and suggestions about what to do next.

By the end of her lesson, she looked invigorated. A week later, she called me to schedule another lesson, which went very well.

Then I didn’t hear from her for several weeks.

Finally, after three weeks had passed, Julie called me. She sounded excited on the phone. “I meant to call you,” she said. “But I was in California visiting my family.”

There was a long moment of silence. Then Julie said, “The trip wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

“I don’t see how,” I said.

“You don’t understand,” Julie said. “Because of you, I was able to use my tablet to book my flight online. I even bought and downloaded eBooks to read so I wouldn’t be bored while I was traveling. And, wait till I show you the photos I took of my grandchildren with my tablet. ”

I was very happy. It’s an incredible feeling to know that you’ve changed someone’s life.

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