Older adults also matter in our community

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

The University of Cundinamarca, through its Systems and Computer Engineering program in Fusagasugá, is conducting a project to teach basic office skills to senior citizens. The goal is for them to be able to use programs like Word and Excel easily and independently. Rosalba Rozo Caballero, the program's Knowledge and Learning Manager, explained that the project is very important because it helps senior citizens learn to use these programs, from the most basic functions to more advanced ones. This will allow them to create documents, insert charts, use formulas, and more.

In the training, participants learn to open, save, and search documents in Word, as well as create tables, insert images, and use basic tools. Over time, they progress to more complex functions and tools such as tables and charts.

In Excel, older adults begin by familiarizing themselves with the environment and basic functions, including formulas and simple charts. Then, at more advanced levels, they learn to use pivot tables and other useful functions for managing data.

Rozo Caballero added that the project's purpose is to reduce the digital divide. The idea is for older adults to be able to access and use digital technologies independently, improving their quality of life and keeping them up-to-date.

In addition, Oscar Favian Sánchez Guzmán, also a project manager, pointed out that during the process videos and guides were created to facilitate learning in the classes and also so that older adults can practice at home more comfortably.

Alicia Wilches, a participant in the course, expressed her satisfaction: “This is an excellent opportunity the university is giving us to learn computer science. The course is practical and easy, and it helps us a lot in our daily lives.”.

The project combines face-to-face classes in university classrooms and virtual activities on the Moodle platform, allowing older adults to practice and learn from their homes.

The teachers assured that this initiative is aligned with the Transmodern Digital Educational Model, MEDIT, which seeks to extend knowledge beyond the classroom and benefit the community.

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