Internet gathered Smolensk pensioners and students on Roundtable

Another group of senior natives of Smolensk finished their study on education program "Grandma Online", " Grandpa online". Vice – Governor Peter Lopashinov talked with graduates of computer courses, as well as with volunteers who taught them.

Social program "Grandma Online", "Grandpa Online" is a joint project of Administration of Smolensk region and inter-regional public organization "Association of veterans, disabled and pensioners". Classes are free and are held on the basis of Smolensk industrial and economic college in computer literacy training center for senior citizens. 250 people will train on this program.

Training is conducted by volunteers now they are students of the Smolensk State University. And the youths and elderly people said unanimously that thay were satisfied by lessons and a common language was found easily, despite the fact that they represent different generations. "Graduates" noted repeatedly that the program was a bit short - five sessions of two hours of training are little for full communion. However, the results are already quite noticeable and the main objectives are achieved: pensioners are able to use the Internet with confidence and are registered in social networks and on the portal of public services, are able, for example, sign up to the doctor. In addition, the grandmothers who love flowers even created a thematic community. Student’s volunteers who tried his hand as a teachers said they would be willing to participate in the project again.

According to Peter Lopashinov, appealed representatives of the Department to the University, and got a long list of volunteers, they received guidance and set to work.

Today, three groups by ten people own starting skills of the computer.

«Regional Administration and Governor personally holds on control training of senior citizens, it allows to reduce administrative barriers, – told Peter Lopashinov. – This year, were provided funds for training of two hundred thousand citizens on the program "Information Society", six hundred we have already trained in Smolensk and now we go to districts of our region. In the beginning of 2010, we have trained more than three thousand pensioners. It is very important that people take such an active stance and will no longer feel cut off from children, from grandchildren, from community».