kittylester. Is there a particular reason why your brother and his wife have never got to grips with technology? Is it physical disability, a lack of local training opportunities, an unwillingness to learn or some other reason?
Digital technology in some shape or form has been in the workplace for around four decades or more. Personal computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, smart phones have been around for decade(s) too. The first smart phones were introduced long ago. Arguably, the best known smart camera phone, the iPhone, was introduced in 2007, 16 years ago.
There are and have been a wealth of training resources available for older people to learn and improve their confidence with technology. There are now Digital Inclusion Hubs across the country:
www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/it-training/
I do understand the problem and I do understand that some people can seem stubbornly resistant to change but when you dig a bit deeper, it's often fear and lack of confidence that's driving the resistance. People don’t always want to admit that.
As well as teaching ICT in schools, I’ve tutored adult LEA Computers for the Terrified courses, tailored Learn Direct courses and tutored ECDL (now ICDL). I’ve also helped people individually. I have yet to come across anyone who doesn't get the hang of things after a few lessons.
Manufacturers have been using QR codes in the work place since the 1990s, particularly in the car industry for stock control. More recently, technology users will be familar with QR codes in everyday life for postal services, bus timetables, restaurants and many other services. In 2021, they were common as a means to obtain entry into certain buildings and events when evidence of Covid vaccination was being requested.
A QR code is a quick response code, a two dimentional version of a bar code, a reaable pattern of squares rather than a line of thin and thick stripes.
Manufacturers now supply global markets. Any set of printed instructions has to come in multiple languages which makes for thick paper manuals, most of the pages superfluous to the vast majorty of people. I suspect most manuals are consulted the first couple of times that a new appliance in used and then sit in a cupboard or drawer long after the applicance has been replaced. It's a huge waste of paper and other resources at a time of green initiatives and escalating costs hence the move to digital instructions.
While I understand that advances in technology are marginalising some older people, I think we need to find out why some people are still not engaging with it after so many years.
