GRUNDTVIG PROJECT

Learning in Later Life: Students to Senior Citizens: ICT and Inter-Generation Communication

LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE

Title: Net banking Level: Elementary Prepared by: MLT and MT

Subject: New Technology	Technology/Equipment/Supplies needed: Computers, Net Banking Demo
Topic: Go to the bank by net
Lesson Length: 4 hours, 10.00-14.00	Notes: 16 participants, aged 70-88
Task/Objectives: The objective was to teach the participants how they can use computers at home, to pay bills, check the accounts etc.
Description of Activity/Activities The activity was initiated by 2 experts from a Finnish bank. They had a demo, which was also explained verbally step by step. Also a short introduction to use cellular phones for paying bills was given as well. In this part the method was a clearly teacher-focused one. The positive surprise to all of us was a lottery organised by the bank. One of the participants won a big towel and two others some smaller items. There was a possibility to eat lunch at Foibe restaurant (6 euros). Those who did not eat could buy coffee in the coffee shop. The afternoon was dedicated to hands on learning. The seniors worked mostly in pairs, but as there were enough computers a few could have one for her/himself. The experts were no more present and MLT and MT functioned as guides.

Verification (steps to check for student understanding):

As MT and MLT moved all the time from one participant to other it was possible to check how much each of them had learned and how far they were able to proceed independently.

Resources:

9 computers, two experts from the bank, two volunteers

Students are engaged in:

independent activities

cooperative learning

peer tutoring

visuals

x simulations

x pairing

x hands-on

x whole group instruction

others

Author Notes:

When evaluating the day we found out that much slower demo presentation had been useful. The positive fact was that the demo was explained by the experts. Watching it without guidance had not been as effective.

It is also obvious that this kind of course must be targeted to seniors, who are able to use at least word processing and are used to handle their computers ( mouse problems). Part of the participants had never used any computer or had a very limited knowledge of it, which made all group instructions difficult.

The other problem is that all the banks have a net banking option, but the pages are not similar. During the afternoon we helped participants to get familiar with their own bank. This time we did not have students to help us, which had been very useful.

Four hours is not enough to learn everything, but the general atmosphere was positive. Some of the participants understood that it might be useful to take an elementary course in using computers.

The lunch/coffee break is a must if we expect that the participants can work actively. It also gives a chance to learn to know each other. Improving social contacts is a crucial element of the project.

It is absolutely positive to get experts from the local bank, partly because the demos are not complete and partly because the professionals only can enter some pages useful for learning but closed to laymen.