Exceptional Onsite and In Home Windows, Apple Computer and Mobile Phone Training, Tutoring, Virus Removal, Preventive Maintenance and Repairs for All of Oahu Call or Text 224.1870 Mainland U.S.A. Text Only 808.224.1870 for Remote Computer Lessons and Support
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Seniors DO NOT Buy Dumb Phones They’re NOT Easier Than Smart Phones
By in home, onsite and low cost remote computer, tablet and smart cell phone tutor, trainer, mobile virus removal and repair specialist, Experienced, dual certified teacher J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. of Honolulu Hawaii covering all of Oahu. Call or Text 808.224.1870 BEFORE your computer breaks down To speed up your slow computer and For help with Windows PCs, Surface tablets or Apple/Mac computers. Do It Yourselfers download Mr. Kirkham's Ebook
As a former teacher turned in home and onsite computer, tablet and cell phone tutor, trainer and repair expert for senior citizens and small businesses, I see a few of my senior citizen in home computer tutoring students purchase “Senior cell phones" and “Senior computers". DO NOT purchase these!
First let me say the products themselves are good.Tthe concept to make things simpler for new cell phone users is a good one. The screen and text is larger by default since our eyes may not be quite as good as they used to be, BUT these cell phones are severely limited in what they can do.
Now, your thought, as a senior citizen might be,
“Good, I just need to call people and maybe learn to text."
A logical way of thinking. However, that’s about all YOU’LL EVER be able to do on your senior cell phone.
As An In Home Smart Cell Phone Tutor Specializing in Senior Citizens Here on Oahu…
I can tell you from tutoring experience your smart cell phone is fully capable of doing exactly what you want it to with built in ease of use and adjustability. More importantly your smart cell phone has the ability to do more when you are ready for it to do more. Most senior citizens before I begin giving them in home cell phone lessons are fully convinced that all they want to do on their smart cell phone is to make phone calls and answer phone calls. As the seniors become more confident in their cell phone use they ask me to show them more or ask me questions leading to me showing them more uses of their smart cell phone.
Stay Away from Flip Phones
As well as other phones that have real buttons instead of screen buttons. Why? Let’s say you’re new to using a cell phone and the phone rings. You have one button to choose from to answer, not a bunch of “real" buttons to choose. When it’s time to hang up, you have a choice of one button.
But Rick, Smart Cell Phones Have So Many Buttons
I tell my in home senior cell phone lesson students just because there are 20 different buttons doesn’t mean you have to learn to use them all. I’m very hands on when I give cell phone lessons so I have my senior student himself/herself drag all the buttons off the home screen that he/she doesn’t need to learn about until he/she is ready and if there is a need.
The Most Important Reason for Using a Smart Cell Phone Not a Dumb Phone
When the senior cell phone tutoring student is ready to do things such as
Texting
Attaching photos to texts
Checking email
Even joining social media
The features are there, available and easy to set up.
About The Author
Experienced, dual certified teacher and in home computer, tablet and cell phone tutor lives in Honolulu Hawaii with his family. He’s been in computers since 1993. Rick received dual teaching certificates from Eastern Illinois University. He currently gives back to the community as a certified substitute teacher.
Call or Text Rick 808.224.1870 to grab one of his few openings left for in home cell phone lessons.
Three Reasons Seniors Should Take In Home Computer Lessons from Rick Kirkham of Honolulu Hawaii Covering All of Oahu Call or Text 224-1870
By in home, onsite and low cost remote computer, tablet and smart cell phone tutor, trainer, mobile virus removal and repair specialist, Experienced, dual certified teacher J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. of Honolulu Hawaii covering all of Oahu. Call or Text 808.224.1870 BEFORE your computer breaks down To speed up your slow computer and For help with Windows PCs, Surface tablets or Apple/Mac computers. Do It Yourselfers download Mr. Kirkham's Ebook
Here Are The Three Reasons Senior Citizens Should Take In Home Computer Lessons from Dual Certified Teacher and Computer Expert J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc.
Mr. Kirkham is a trained teacher who became a computer expert
Mr Kirkham has gray hair. He IS a senior citizen
Mr Kirkham spent 20 years working with senior citizens explaining high tech devices
Senior Specialty In Home Computer Lessons and Computer Setup Oahu Call or Text 224-1870
By in home, onsite and low cost remote computer, tablet and smart cell phone tutor, trainer, mobile virus removal and repair specialist, Experienced, dual certified teacher J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. of Honolulu Hawaii covering all of Oahu. Call or Text 808.224.1870 BEFORE your computer breaks down To speed up your slow computer and For help with Windows PCs, Surface tablets or Apple/Mac computers. Do It Yourselfers download Mr. Kirkham's Ebook
Or giving private, positive, hands-on, in home computer lessons to senior citizens here on Oahu which was how I started out full time in 2009.
I remain, one of the best, private, one on one in home teachers and tutors on Oahu.
I am Presently Focused on Helping Small Business Owners Maintain, Repair Computers and Train Them in Computer Security and The Software They Use for Their Businesses But…
I’m going to set a few in home appointment times a week to begin giving computer lessons to seniors here in Honolulu Hawaii or anywhere on Oahu. Aside from being one of the few computer experts on Oahu who is also an actual experienced, trained teacher, I spent 20 years in the hearing aid industry working with seniors explaining high tech hearing aids to them for a living. I still help hearing aid companies due to my expertise in Noah software, but some of those time slots are now reserved for giving computer, cell phone and tablet lessons to seniors.
“Thanks for teaching me that CTRL + trick Rick it was worth the whole price of the lesson.", Senior citizen Honolulu Hawaii.
“Rick Kirkham is that rare computer geek with people skills. His explanations of even complex computer technology makes it plain and simple to understand", ``School teacher Salt Lake area Oahu.
“Rick taught me a trick to easily find out what my wifi password is." School teacher Oahu.
Rick, I Have a Nephew That Can Help Me with My Computer
Horror phrases senior citizens have told me during computer lessons that relatives and friends have said to them Everyone knows that
I can think of very few things worse to say to a senior citizen computer student trying to learn something new.
I just showed that to you
Getting frustrated with mom or grandpa, dad or grandma does not help them learn any faster nor feel better about trying to learn how to use a computer.
You just can't learn this
You just called your grandma stupid.
I’m not saying your nephew, grandchild or daughter would say these things to you, but I’ve heard these stories of phrases used from A LOT from my senior citizen in home computer tutoring and training students.
Phrases I’ve Actually Used When Giving Senior Citizens Computer Lessons
Right mouse click for a menu. Left mouse click for an action.
A simple way to remember how to use the mouse.
Double click to open the folder just like when you pick up the folder and open it. That’s where the files are.
Relate what seniors already know. A good teacher explains a new lesson based on knowledge the student already has learned during his/her life.
I’m glad you did that while I was here. Now I can show you how to get out of it.
Every little slip of the keyboard or mouse is an opportunity to learn something different.
Shut Up
Not you. Me! A good teacher or tutor knows when to be quiet. The longer I talk, the less my senior computer lesson student learns.
Hands On Not Off The Computer
Giving computer lessons to seniors isn’t so much about explaining as it is doing. I’ll take my senior computer lesson student through the steps say of sending out an email, using phrases seen on the screen such “Compose". I’ll then have my senior computer lesson student do it as I quietly watch. When my student gets stuck, I give a little hint.
Yes I’m Positive About Computer Lessons
I help my senior citizen computer lesson students feel good about what they're doing and enjoy learning how to use a computer. I love seeing the faces of my senior computer lesson students when they've done something on their own and feel that sense of accomplishment. As a teacher with a background in behavioral challenges, I can tell you that both children and adults react to the same stimulus in a similar manner. adults are simply more repressed about their reactions. Both adults and children enjoy being praised for their efforts. Both adults and children also fear being chastised for their mistakes, which NEVER happens when I give anyone including senior citizens, in home computer lessons here on Oahu.
Overcoming Fear of New Technology
This method helps my senior computer lesson students overcome the fear of new technology. I’ve setup new computer for seniors after making a house call and still remember hearing the statement several times,
“I was afraid to take it out of the box until you got here."
Guess what the first lesson is when that happens? My senior computer lesson student sets up the computer himself/herself under my guidance!
You Fix It!
I let my senior computer lesson student make his/her own mistakes while I watch, then help the student correct the mistake. Small mistakes are going to happen when I’m not there giving an in home computer lesson. If the mistakes happen while I’m there I can prepare my senior computer student for the small errors when I’m not there. I always say don’t be afraid to try something different. If you can’t get out of it, I’ll help you.
Knowing and Teaching Are Two Different Skill Sets Especially with Computer Lessons
One of my favorite compliments was from a retired ER doctor who said,
“I spent hundreds of dollars with computer geeks trying to learn how to use a computer. Then I met Rick, whose hands on positive approach was refreshing and efficient."
He even shared with me ITs (computer experts, but not teachers) would show him five or even 10 steps and then say, “Here now you do it."
This is the difference between knowing a skill and knowing how to transfer the knowledge of that skill in a positive, hands-on, fun approach. A good teacher is the difference between feeling frustrated and dreading to make a mistake in front of the person from whom you’re trying to learn and looking forward to your lesson, knowledge, skill and learning to correct those mistakes in a confident, relaxed manner even after your teacher is gone.
Rick, How Much Do You Charge for In Home Computer Lessons for Seniors?
I charge $95.00 per hour or $75.00 per hour as a cash discount or prepay. Depending on what my senior tutoring student wants to learn it usually takes one to three lessons in one hour increments. I use one hour increments so as not to overwhelm my student.
How Often Should I Take In Home Computer Lessons Rick?
Some people want to take computer lessons once a week. As a trained teacher I advise against this practice. This gives the senior computer lesson student one day to remember and six days to forget. If it’s affordable, I’d recommend three times in one week. This gives a day between lessons to practice on your own and to write down challenges you run across for your next in home computer lesson.
The first part of the in home computer lesson is always a review the previous lesson. I have you do things such as send an email, attach a photo, download a photo, find a photo on the computer etc.. I help with any corrections from the previous in home computer lesson then move to the next lesson at a pace with which you’re comfortable. That’s a great advantage over group lessons where you may feel way behind or even way ahead of other computer class members.
Rick, Is There Anyone Cheaper Than You That Gives In Home Computer Lessons?
Of course there is, somewhere! There's always someone cheaper trying to do the same job with the same quality.
You just have to ask yourself, “Why are they cheaper?"
My priorities in order of importance is to teach senior citizens how to use computers in an efficient, safe and fun manner and then pay my bills, in that order. If you cannot afford me please don't be embarrassed to let me know, I'll be happy to work with you.
Okay Rick, What Do I Do To Make Sure I Can Get an Appointment Time for In Home Computer Lessons Here on Oahu
Text or call me if you live in Honolulu Hawaii or anywhere on Oahu 224.1870. Don’t be wishy washy. You know this needs to be done while I have spots available.
If You’re Not on Oahu Download My Computer Cell Phone and Tablet Tips and Troubleshooting Ebook
