Staying current with technology is a key way for seniors to interact with loved ones far away and close at home swiftly and efficiently in this information age. Instructor Tony Crawford, who conducted his Apple Contacts and Calendars for iPhone and iPad course at the Lake Miona Recreation Center recently, showed seniors of all ages new methods to learn the latest gadgets and software.
Crawford has worked with The Enrichment Academy since October 2019 and has taught around 900 students in 14 different courses, six of which are for Apple devices. Crawford has been working with Apple devices since 1981, starting with the original Apple II, but he became a true Apple devotee after purchasing an iPad in 2010.
“I have always enjoyed working with technology, and fluency only comes with practice and time and, I think, a passion for learning about and applying technology,” Crawford said. “Apple devices are quite expensive, so I enjoy sharing how to take full advantage of the many functions and features that are available on Apple devices that, often, people are not aware even exist.”
Crawford also instructs students at all levels of ability.
“The main challenge I have is that there is a wide range of experience that people bring to the class, so I have to find the right level of detail and information that all can benefit from,” Crawford said.
Crawford recommended that new users take his iPhone and iPad Made Easy and Camera & Photos classes, both of which will be offered again in October by The Enrichment Academy. Crawford gives Apple User Guide PDFs, reference sheets and lessons, which he also demonstrates to users how to get online and through Apple during the classes.
“Also, I can help them make sure their apps and devices are properly synced together through iCloud, so that all their documents, notes and photos are equally accessible on all their devices,” Crawford said.
Gregg Baldwin of the Village of Hillsborough, who has only had six sessions this year, was at his most recent session.
“He is very knowledgeable and ties the whole thing together in different ways so you can get your Apple devices to interact with one another,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin, like many seniors, finds it difficult to keep up with the ever-changing digital age in which we now live, with frequent updates and new features all year long.
“The hardest part, from the perspective of an older person, is trying to keep up with the hi-tech,” Baldwin said. “It’s moving so fast, all of our kids are a part of it. That’s probably one of the main reasons we are all here. All our kids are so active in this, and we’re just trying to catch up.”
Regardless, Baldwin praised Crawford’s capacity to teach him and others to the best of his ability.
“He’s very dependable, I can always count on him to make a good class, and I always learn something,” Baldwin said.