Marc Prensky in an article: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/prensky%20- %20digital%20natives,%20digital%20immigrants%20-%20part1.pdf identified the young as digital natives and the older as digital migrants. But a recent survey by a sweet brand Juicy Drop Pop led to the conclusion that the ages at which people enjoy their life the most are 9 and 68. Researchers found that these two years are the precise ages in life where people are most likely to throw caution to the wind and have the most fun.
“The results cement the idea of a special bond that we so often see between grandparents and grandchildren,” said psychologist Susan Quillam to The Telegraph. “Each is at a stage in their life when they are discovering or – in the grandparent’s case – rediscovering the boundaries by which most of us live our lives.”
And since kids have a lot of fun with their iPads and iPhones, I thought that it would be a good idea to produce a program that introduces the iPads to senior citizens.
Initially I had thought of using the phrase “Visa on Arrival for Digital Migrants”, but was not sure that it would be readily understood.
While it is commonly known that the Internet is a great source of information and tools like e-mail and chat that make it easy to communicate, doing so with desktops or even laptops was rather cumbersome and difficult. This new technological advancement in the form of iPads or the latest iPadmini has made it much easier for seniors to navigate the web, do video chats, and other technological Marvels. It is important that everyone know how to use the most modern communication devices. The iPad for seniors has made the break through much easier for that age group.
The large buttons has made it easier for a senior to use the keypad and since the iPad fills the screen it has made the iPad much more manageable. When you have large fingers or stiff fingers and your dexterity is not adequate then you will enjoy being able to use the iPad. The touch screen technology adapts to the user no matter what size or shape their fingers might be. When this happens then of course, the intimidation is eliminated making it much easier for anyone to interact with computer.
We are doing the first such event on Sunday 9th December, and have been requested to such an event for a group of Senior Citizens in west Delhi in January.
Very soon we hope to evolve into a vibrant community of interested and interacting minds pursuing common goals and interests, while staying geographically dispersed.
The user can carry the iPad just about anywhere and use it at their convenience. It is handy to use the iPad while sitting on an armchair or on the sofa. You can have your iPad in your purse and use it while you are shopping or visiting your friends. There are so many ways that you can use your iPad and feel comfortable while you are doing it.
Many seniors have found that the iPad has been very beneficial in providing them a means to stay in contact with their family and friends from the comfort of their own home. The ease of use has made the iPad user friendly to seniors of all ages.
Prof. M.M.Pant has a Ph.D in Computational Physics, along with a Professional Law Degree, and has been a practitioner in the fields of Law, IT enabled education and IT implementation.
Drawing upon his experience in world class international institutions and having taught in various modes of Face-to-Face, Distance Learning and Technology Enhanced Training, Prof. Pant is now exploring the nature of institutions which will be successors to the IITs, which represented the 1960s, IIMs, which represented the 1970 and Open Universities which were the rage of 1980s & 90s.
He believes that the convergence between various media and technologies would fundamentally alter the way learning would be created, packaged, and delivered to learners. His current activities are all directed toward actual implementation of these new age educational initiatives that transform education in the post Internet post WTO era..
Prof. Pant, has been a Former Pro-Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and has been on the faculty of IIT – Kanpur (the premier Engineering institution in India), MLNR Engineering College and Faculty & Visiting Professor - University of Western Ontario-Canada.
He has been visiting scientist to research centers in Italy, England, Germany & Sweden and has delivered international lectures with about 80 papers published.
During his association of almost 15 years with the IGNOU, Prof. Pant has served as the Director Computing and has been the Member of All Bodies (i.e. School boards, Academic council, Planning board, Finance committee and the Board of management).
With his interest in Law, backed with practice of Law in a High Court, and his basic training in Science and IT, Prof. Pant has been particularly interested in the Cyber Law, Patent & trade mark issues, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues etc. and has been involved with many activities, conferences on “Law & IT”
Prof. Pant is presently;
• Advisor to Media Lab Asia - Chairman of working group on ICT for Education, chairman of PRSG handling projects on ICT for education.
• Lead Consultant for an ADB funded project for ICT in Basic Education in Uzbekistan
• Member of the drafting Group for India’s National Policy on ICT in education
• Chairman of the group creating books for class 11 and 12 students on ‘Computers and Communication Technology’ appointed by the NCERT
• Preparing a ‘Theme Paper” for the NCTE in the area of ICT and Teacher Training
• Advisor and mentor to several leading Indian and Multi-national Companies in the area of education.
Prof. Pant has in the recent past been ;
• Member – Board of Management – I I T, Delhi for 6 years (two consecutive terms)
• One-man committee to create the Project Report & Legislation for Delhi IT-enabled Open University
• Advisor to the Delhi Government on Asian Network of Major Cities Project (ANMC-21) distance learning project in association with Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
• Chairman Board of Studies, All India Management Association
With his mission to create and implement new business opportunities in the area of e-learning & learning facilitation, Prof. Pant has promoted Planet EDU Pvt. Ltd., as its Founder & Chairman, along with a team of highly experienced and skilled professionals from Education & Training, Operations, IT and Finance.
