Teaching Grandma to use the Internet

Most grandparents long for better relationships with their apos and vice versa.  But in this fast-paced world where everything happens so fast and tasks have to be juggled simultaneously, the weekend lunches with lolos and lolas seem to be happening fewer and far-between, and even the occasional phone call gets buried under a barrage of to-dos.

An informal poll, conducted by Bayan Telecommunications (Bayan) with via Plurk and Facebook social networking sites, revealed that given the chance, 87 percent of young people would want to continue communicating with their grandparents.  The same informal poll revealed that 81 percent of Filipinos are still close to their grandparents, and that 57 percent still visit from time to time.

The emergence of the Internet, which ironically contributed to the fast-pace of this new age, is offering a means through which grandchildren and their grandparents can constantly keep in touch. According to Nielsen’s Net Index Topline Report, the Philippine media landscape has changed so much that internet has slowly encroached upon, and in some cases even overtaken, the popularity of traditional media such as television, radio and newspapers. The Nielsen study also predicts that the Philippines will have over 35 million internet users in 2012, from a little over 20 million this year.

Ironically, the Internet is also responsible for creating a generational gap between the old and young generation. More people, usually of the younger set, educated, single, either studying or at the prime of their careers, are using the internet as a communications tool– specifically its more cutting edge applications like instant messaging, social networking, and blogging. While the younger set is fully equipped to deal with the internet’s varied tools (given that computer courses are virtually de rigeur in schools, even at the primary levels), the more mature members of society are in danger of being left behind.

Bayan Telecommunications recognizes this need and took the initiative to address it by launching its newest advocacy, Teach Lola–an initiative to bridge the communication gap between the younger and older generation.

“The insight behind Teach Lola is based on the need to strengthen relationships between the younger and older generation seemingly divided by technology.  More and more young people communicate using new tools that the older generation is not familiar and is uncomfortable to use.  This is our objective: to encourage the young people to teach their Lolas and Lolos these new technologies, and in the process, rekindle their relationships with their loved ones”, said John Rojo, Bayan vice president for corporate brand and communications.

The Teach Lola campaign is riding the crest of the highly successful Lola Techie advertising and digital marketing campaign for Bayan’s DSL service.

Like the TV campaign, the Teach Lola advocacy stresses the idea that the Internet is simple and easy.  Consistent with Bayan’s thrust of letting the Filipinos voice be heard, Teach Lola makes it possible for the elderly to not only have a voice in this internet-driven society but also to bring grandparents and their grandchildren closer together by expanding their communication to more than just special occasions. 

The program has two components: Teach Lola trainers and a website (www.teachlola.com) where anyone can download manuals for free.

Teach Lola now has more than 20 trainers coming from all departments in Bayan. “They say change begins with yourself — that’s why we are starting Teach Lola’s roll out through Bayan employees’ grandparents,” says Mr. Rojo.  “After being trained by our teaching partner Learn.ph, our Teach Lola trainers will be the ones to spearhead our events to come in order to bring more apos and lolas together.”

Consequently, Yuan Fidelson, a Teach Lola trainer, asserts that by helping grandparents have their voice in this internet-driven society, the elderly can actually have a much easier means to communicate with their loved ones.  “I don’t have my own Lola to teach but I thought other Lolas can use my help that’s why I volunteered,” he enthuses.

Aside from recruiting more people to become Teach Lola trainers, Bayan will also enable other people to participate in the process in do-it-yourself fashion. Bayan has made an online manual available in the project’s official website www.teachlola.com where anyone can download or even update the Teach Lola modules.  The manual can also be user-generated as people can edit or add content to it just like in Wikipedia.  This means that more and more people nationwide and around the globe can get involved with the initiative.

“As trends portray, most communication happens online,” Mr. Rojo points out. “At the same, initiatives should now evolve and grow online. This is our vision for Teach Lola, where a community of people on-line who are committed to our advocacy can now take part and develop this to impact on a broader section of young and old people.”

And though bridging this gap is not as easy as booting the computer and asking Grandma to sit and begin chatting, Filipino seniors will be happy to know that they’ve got a whole team to help them. In fact, after a Teach Lola session held at Bayan, one Lola participant commented that her grandson may now have a kaagaw when it comes to playing online games.  “After learning how to use the Internet today, I think I can take on my grandson over a game of Dota anytime,” she enthused.

Indeed, the Internet lifestyle is no longer a distant dream concept for older Filipinos—their grandchildren should just take the time to teach them and make it a reality

As an additional treat, those will join the Teach Lola project will get one month free upon subscription to Bayan DSL Plan 899 with a maximum speed of 768 kbs. For more information log onto www.teachlola.com

Internet keeps us in touch with Lolo and Lola

Children the world-over enjoy being doted upon by their grandparents. Maybe because they are less concerned with disciplining their beloved apos and have loads of time on their hands, lolos and lolas more responsive, less critical, and seem to always be there, showering attention on their grandchildren.

And it seems that grandchildren, even those who are already grown up, have careers and families, continue to treasure moments spent with their lolos and lolas.

An informal poll, conducted by Bayan Communications with grandchildren via Plurk and Facebook social networking sites, revealed that given the chance, 87 percent would want to continue communicating with their grandparents.

The same informal poll revealed that 81 percent of Filipinos are close to their grandparents, and that 57 percent still visit from time to time.

However, in this fast-paced world where everything happens so fast and tasks have to be juggled simultaneously, the weekend lunches with lolos and lolas seem to be happening fewer and far-between, and even the occasional phone call gets buried under a barrage of to-dos.

But all is not lost since a new communications tool, which ironically contributed to the fast-pace of this new age, is also offering a means through which grandchildren and their grandparents can constantly keep in touch. This is of course the internet.

According to Nielsen’s Net Index Topline Report (2008), the Philippine media landscape has changed so much that internet has slowly encroached upon, and in some cases even overtaken, the popularity of traditional media such as television, radio and newspapers.

More people, usually of the younger set, educated, single, either studying or at the prime of their careers, are using the internet – specifically its more cutting edge applications like instant messaging, social networking, and blogging.

The Nielsen study also predicts that the Philippines will have over 35 million internet users in 2012, from a little over 20 million this year.

“This development bodes well for helping relatives stay in constant touch, and is the reason why Bayan Communications is embarking on an internet skills training program for the elderly, through Project Lola” says Tunde Fafunwa, Chief Executive Officer of Bayan Telecommunications.

The giant communications firm, a member of the Lopez Group, sees the potential of the internet to bridge the communications divide between grandparents and grandchildren, between the old and the young.

However, while the younger set is fully equipped to deal with the internet’s varied tools (given that computer courses are virtually de rigeur in schools, even at the primary levels), the more mature members of society are only now being schooled in this technological marvel.

Learning to work the computer, not to mention navigating the internet, might as well be Greek to them.

“Project Lola endeavors to teach the older set about the computer and the internet. It offers training on such diverse topics as how to operate a computer, where to find the appropriate icons to click, how to write and manage e-mail, how to go about instant messaging, and how to navigate the intricate world of social networking sites,”  Fafunwa shares.

It may never truly replicate the thrill of an actual visit, but virtually communicating with lolo and lola lets them know that their apos still care. And what’s great, this caring can even be done anytime and from anywhere in the world.

Based on Press Releases from Bayan Telecommunications

About Bayan Telecommunications
Bayan Telecommunications (Bayan), a member of the Lopez Group of Companies and one of the top companies in the Philippines in terms of gross revenues, is a major provider of a wide range of voice and Internet applications to residential customers nationwide. The company is also a leading provider of data communications services, such as dedicated domestic and international leased lines, frame relay and Internet access, to companies in strategic industries such as banks, manufacturing, business process outsourcing, among others. More information at www.bayan.com.ph