Key Takeaways
- The Fayetteville‑Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department is launching a Senior Technology Literacy Series to help adults aged 55+ build confidence with modern digital tools.
- Classes are intergenerational, led by members of the Fayetteville‑Cumberland Youth Council and the City’s Information Technology Department, fostering knowledge exchange between youth and seniors.
- Sessions cover a range of practical topics—social media, video creation, flyer design, tablet basics, TikTok, Google Docs, Facebook, Instagram/Twitter, and electronic calendars—delivered at two senior‑center locations.
- The program aims to enhance independence, safety, and connectivity by teaching seniors how to navigate devices, manage online accounts, spot scams, and use digital platforms effectively.
- Registration is open now; interested participants should call the Bill Crisp Senior Center (910‑433‑1248) or Senior Center East (910‑433‑1574) to reserve a spot.
Program Overview and Goals
The Senior Technology Literacy Series is a community‑driven initiative designed to empower adults aged 55 and older with the skills needed to thrive in today’s digital landscape. Organized by the Fayetteville‑Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department, the series acknowledges that technology evolves rapidly and that many seniors may feel overwhelmed by smartphones, social media, and online services. By offering free, hands‑on workshops, the program seeks to boost participants’ confidence, promote independent living, and strengthen connections with family and friends through reliable online communication. Moreover, a core objective is to educate seniors about online safety, enabling them to recognize phishing attempts, protect personal data, and avoid common scams that target older adults.
Intergenerational Teaching Model
A distinctive feature of the series is its intergenerational approach: members of the Fayetteville‑Cumberland Youth Council partner with staff from the City’s Information Technology Department to lead each class. Youth leaders bring fresh, up‑to‑date familiarity with apps and devices, while IT professionals provide structured curriculum and troubleshooting support. This model not only demystifies technology for seniors but also gives young volunteers valuable teaching experience and a chance to practice empathy and communication skills. The reciprocal learning environment fosters mutual respect, breaks down age‑related stereotypes, and strengthens community ties across generations.
Class Locations and Scheduling
Workshops are held at two conveniently located senior centers: the Bill Crisp Senior Center and Senior Center East. Each topic is offered twice—once at each venue—allowing participants to choose the site and time that best fits their schedule. The summer session runs from June through August, with classes typically scheduled on weekday mornings (10 a.m.–12 p.m.). After the summer block, additional classes will continue throughout the year at both locations, ensuring ongoing access to learning opportunities. This flexible schedule accommodates varying routines and helps maximize attendance among retirees who may have other commitments.
June Curriculum: Social Media and Smartphone Basics
The series kicks off in June with “Navigating Social Media and Smartphones,” a foundational class aimed at demystifying the most commonly used devices and platforms. Participants will learn how to set up and customize smartphones, manage contacts, send texts and emails, and navigate popular social networks such as Facebook and Instagram safely. Emphasis is placed on privacy settings, recognizing suspicious messages, and understanding the difference between public and private sharing. By the end of the session, seniors should feel comfortable using their phones to stay in touch with loved ones, access news, and enjoy entertainment without fear of making costly mistakes.
July Curriculum: Creative Productivity Tools
July’s workshops shift toward creative and productivity‑focused skills. The “Creating Videos” class teaches attendees how to capture short clips using smartphones or tablets, edit them with simple apps, and share the results via email or social media. Following that, “Creating Flyers” introduces basic design principles for making event announcements, newsletters, or personal invitations using free graphic‑design tools. The series then covers tablet fundamentals (“Tablets: How To”), exploring touch gestures, app installation, and cloud storage. Later in the month, participants dive into “TikTok,” learning how to view, create, and safely engage with short‑form video content, and “Google Docs,” where they practice drafting, editing, and collaborating on documents in real time.
August Curriculum: Communication Platforms and Organization
August continues the practical training with sessions on the two most prevalent social platforms for community engagement: Facebook and Instagram/Twitter. The Facebook class walks seniors through setting up a profile, joining interest groups, managing notifications, and using Messenger for private chats. The Instagram/Twitter session offers a combined overview, highlighting differences in content style, hashtag usage, and direct messaging, while reinforcing safety practices such as limiting location sharing and recognizing fake accounts. To round out the summer block, the program concludes with “Electronic Calendars,” teaching participants how to synchronize appointments across devices, set reminders, and share calendars with family members—tools that greatly aid in medication management, medical appointments, and social planning.
Safety and Scam Prevention Focus
Throughout every workshop, a consistent thread is the emphasis on online safety and scam avoidance. Instructors highlight common tactics used by fraudsters—such as phishing emails, fake tech‑support calls, and misleading advertisements—and provide concrete steps for verification, including checking URLs, avoiding unsolicited attachments, and using two‑factor authentication where available. Participants are encouraged to adopt a “pause and verify” habit before clicking links or sharing personal information. By embedding these protective habits into each lesson, the series aims to reduce seniors’ vulnerability to cybercrime while still encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of digital connectivity.
Registration Process and Community Impact
Enrollment is straightforward: interested seniors simply call the Bill Crisp Senior Center at (910) 433‑1248 or Senior Center East at (910) 433‑1574 to reserve a spot in any or all of the offered sessions. The program is free of charge, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent participation. Early feedback from pilot runs indicates that attendees appreciate the patient, jargon‑free instruction and the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment. Beyond individual skill gains, the series strengthens community fabric by linking youth volunteers with older residents, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual assistance that extends well beyond the classroom walls.
Future Expansion and Sustainability
Looking ahead, the Fayetteville‑Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department plans to keep the Senior Technology Literacy Series alive throughout the year, rotating topics based on participant feedback and emerging tech trends. Potential future modules could include online banking basics, telehealth navigation, e‑commerce safety, and introductory coding concepts for those interested in deeper exploration. By sustaining this initiative, the city aims to ensure that its older population remains digitally literate, socially engaged, and resilient in an increasingly connected world—proving that technology education is not just for the young but a lifelong necessity for all residents.