Seniors participating enthusiastically in the infocomm quiz.

Auditoriums at the Singapore Polytechnic were filled with learners decades older than the average student on the weekend of 28 and 29 November. The crowd, mostly retirees, were there for Silver Infocomm Day, part of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore’s (IDA) Silver Infocomm Initiative to get Singaporeans above 50 onto the digital highway.

In his welcome remarks, IDA’s Chief Executive Officer RADM (NS) Ronnie Tay stressed that “infocommunication technology can be enjoyed by both young and old”. He observed that more and more older adults were into social networking, creating Facebook profiles to keep in touch with old friends as well as their children, and playing games.

“Such online activities help us remain socially connected and engaged, which is good. I hope that today’s lessons would help you continue to enjoy such applications and even better, break new boundaries in your usage of IT,” he said.

Helping the silver surfers on their journey on Silver Infocomm Day were talks on subjects like Windows 7, e-banking, blogging and Social Networking via Facebook. Outside the auditorium were booths on remote camera networks, and for beginners, inexpensive computer lessons.

Altogether, the programme was well received. Ms Zai Rahman, a retiree, resolved to sign up for a computer course with Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP), the non-profit organisation aimed at seniors, which she learned of at the event. “Previously, I didn’t know where to go to learn about computers, and if I’m at home and something conks out, I wouldn’t know who to call up. I give full credit to IDA for introducing these things to overcome the hesitation in adopting these technologies,” she said. “Maybe there are a lot of seniors like me, without a computer. I’d like to learn to use it as a tool.”

Another computer owner, who attended the Mandarin programme, Mr EK Zhuang, found the sessions very informative. “I know how to use the computer, but I’m not totally competent,” he said. Among Mr Zhuang’s worries are viruses, spyware and “which buttons you shouldn’t press”.  The session cleared up a lot of doubts, especially about viruses. “I wanted to go to the English talk, on Windows 7. They say it’s one of the best because it makes things more simple.”

Ms Jenny Lee, a computer-owner who is yet to develop a deep relationship with her machine, said, “I thought I’d check it out. I have a connection, but I hardly use it,” she said. “I’m retired, so if I don’t attend and learn, I will be left behind.”