What software programs would you recommend for a literacy student new to a computer?

February 1, 2010 3:52 PM

I am preparing an older computer (XP home) for my literacy student. She is 72 years old and has never used a computer. Before I take the computer to her house, I would like to download some programs onto it. I am looking for programs that teach typing, mouse skills, reading, even math, history, etc. She will not be offended if the program is geared toward children.

She was not able to go to school as a child, so even a simple history, geography, math (etc.) game would be nice.

I am mostly looking for inexpensive and free software, but any recommendations would be welcome. Thank you in advance.

posted by Original 1928 Flavor to Technology (9 answers total)

If she has internet access, a lot of this stuff can be found there. In fact I think the best mouse training program out there is Mousercise. It's a simple, friendly series of 50 or so web pages of increasing difficulty with some games at the end. I've found students with no mouse skills at all often can learn basic point/click/scroll from it, it's amazing.

Other things to do to the computer before she gets it home

- Take all the icons off the desktop that she doesn't need. Leave firefox, program files, the recycle bin, solitaire and My Documents.
- Turn off as many alerts as you can. Turn on automatic updates [if she has internet].
- If she is going to use the internet, get her firefox, install ad-block-plus and some other basic useful extensions, set the home page to a list of bookmarks you have set up and a nice easy-to-see theme [there are some good ones with big buttons, better for older learners]
- Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is the basic typing tutor and it's nice and simple. You should be able to find an older version for free or cheap. I haven't been impressed with many free typing practice software packages, but there might be some decent web pages.
- She might want a track ball instead of a mouse, they are often better for people for whom mouse skills are really difficult as a first step.
- A few other decent games that I've come across... the Where in the World geography games with Carmen Sandiego, Solitaire [mouse skills!] and minesweeper [clicking] are actually okay starter games, these geography quizzes are sort of neat and simple

The biggest deal with adult tech literacy form my vantage point is making sure the student is set up not to fail, so minimizing confusing pop-ups ["your computer might already be at risk!!!"] and weird widgets and whatnot in favor of something with few options that you can configure to get more complex as your student gets more capable. Best of luck.
posted by jessamyn at 4:07 PM on February 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Typer Shark is a lot of fun no matter how old you are.
posted by phunniemee at 4:10 PM on February 1, 2010

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! Looks like they also make an intro to Office program too.
posted by radioamy at 4:11 PM on February 1, 2010

Everything jessamyn said and this: I am coaching my next-door neighbor who is 66 years old and on her first computer. I have set her up with a gmail account so she can email her daughters and all of her old friends in the old country. She is delighted that she can communicate with people she has known all her life, but been unable to keep in touch with.

Also, hook her up with Sobics (eye/hand) a good crossword puzzle site (typing/searching) and any or all of the games at Thinks.com.

Teach her about right-clicking, including grabbing photos to make it possible to change her desktop wallpaper. This might get her enthused enough to spend a little more time working all of her computer skills, not just sit and read.

Lastly, as you teach her something, have her write it down. It not only reinforces what she is hearing, it allows her to refer back when you aren't around.
posted by Old Geezer at 4:18 PM on February 1, 2010

Response by poster: Thank you so much for all your recommendations. Just to clarify, she would not be able to afford internet access. I am looking for programs I can download before I take the computer to her house.
posted by Original 1928 Flavor at 4:35 PM on February 1, 2010

http://starfall.com is geared towards kids, but excellent and free.

If I could "favorite" my own comment 20-30 times to convince you to check it out, I would.
posted by mecran01 at 6:57 PM on February 1, 2010

While searching for something to help my literacy students with their computer skills, I happened to come across this BBC Computer Tutor, which your student might find useful. A nice friendly British lady guides you through using the mouse, keyboard, and computer screen. (It's done through audio, so your student will need speakers/headphones.)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:34 PM on February 2, 2010

If she would prefer one without sound, there is also the Absolute Beginner's Guide to the Computer. (Also BBC.)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:49 PM on February 2, 2010

I used to work in an Independent Living facility... average age in the 80's. I found the hardest thing to teach the elderly was mouse control. The absolute best application to use to teach mouse control is for them to play Solitaire. Teaches right and left clicking as well as dragging and mouse movement etc... and they'll have fun while doing it!
posted by derique at 7:47 PM on February 4, 2010