{"id":459,"date":"2026-01-14T21:48:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/?page_id=459"},"modified":"2026-01-20T22:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T22:06:37","slug":"tech-skills-for-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/tech-skills-for-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech Skills for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Online education platform or in-person classes to learn more about your mobile devices<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Age-Friendly Technology Education Platform for Online Learning <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to use your smartphone or tablet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech Skills for Older Adults: Five Modules Available with Video Tutorials and Written Guides For Each Topic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a digitally interconnected world, personal electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are important tools to communicate with others, seek information, manage finances, find entertainment, and more. However, as smartphone technology has continued to evolve, many older adults report a lack of confidence and knowledge when using smartphones and tablets.

Created and offered by the Center for Healthy Aging, \u2018Tech Skills for Older Adults\u2019 is an age-friendly technology education platform composed of video tutorials<\/strong> and printable guides<\/strong> to help older adults learn more about their mobile devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The educational content is organized into themed modules. Each module includes three topics with each topic focused on a specific app or navigation skill. Each topic includes a video tutorial and a written guide, which can be viewed at the bottom of each topic card. Progressing through each module and topic can be done in any order depending on your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spanish translations are being added as possible. Please check back for updates.
Las traducciones al espa\u00f1ol se est\u00e1n agregando continuamente. Por favor, vuelva a consultar las actualizaciones.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available Modules:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Navigating your Device<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Communication Apps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Entertainment Apps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Grocery & Food Prep Apps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Social Media Apps (Facebook)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Module 1: Navigating your Device<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Buttons & Main Screens of the Smartphone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will identify and describe the actions of the power button, volume buttons, ringer, SIM card storage, home screen, lock screen, notification center, and controls center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Cell Phone Buttons & Main Screens<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: Cell Phone Buttons & Main Screens<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
GUIA ESCRITA en espanol: botones y panatallas<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Search,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Used Icons
Part I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will describe the appearance and purpose of icons often found on apps and websites. This section describes the icons for download, menu, share, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Frequently USED ICONS (Part 1)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: Video: Frequently USED ICONS (Part 1)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Contact,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Used Icons
Part I<\/strong>I<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will describe the appearance and purpose of icons often found on apps and websites. This section describes the icons for profile, filter, full screen, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Frequently USED ICONS (Part 2)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: Frequently USED ICONS (Part 2)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
GUIA ESCRITA en espanol: iconos de uso frecuente (parte 2)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Module 2: Communication Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Text<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Texting with Smartphones<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will provide step-by-step instructions for creating a phone contact, starting a text conversation, replying to a text, texting pictures, using speech-to-text, using emojis, and searching for a text conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Texting with Smart phones<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: TEXTING WITH SMART PHONES<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Video Chatting with Zoom<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will provide an overview of Zoom, a free video chatting app, and provide step-by-step instructions for creating a Zoom account, joining a Zoom meeting, and using key features during Zoom calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Video Chatting with zoom<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: Video Chatting with zoom<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emailing with Gmail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will provide an overview of Gmail, an email app created by Google, and provide instructions for creating a Gmail account, emailing others, emailing a picture, deleting emails, sorting emails with labels, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Emailing with gmail<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: emailing with gmail<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Module 3: Entertainment Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"headphones<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Spotify App: Listening to
Music & Podcasts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore the Spotify app and provide step-by-step instructions for creating a Spotify account, searching for a song, making playlists, listening to podcasts, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: spotify app Listening to Music & Podcasts<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: spotify app listening to music & podcasts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Person<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Libby App: Reading Library eBooks & Audiobooks<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will provide an overview of accessing your local library\u2019s eBook and audiobook collection using the Libby app. A valid library card will be needed to use the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: READING library eBooks & audiobooks<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: reading ebooks & audiobooks<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Video<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

YouTube App:
Watching Videos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will provide instructions for watching videos with the YouTube app. Watch videos related to cooking, product reviews, religious services, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: YOUTUBE APP & Watching videos<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: youtube app & watching videos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Module 4: Grocery Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"headphones<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Clipping Coupons with the Kroger\/King Soopers App<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Kroger app to apply coupons at Kroger affiliated stores such as Kroger, King Soopers, Smith\u2019s, City Market, FredMeyer, Ralph\u2019s, Fry\u2019s, QFC, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: clipping kroger coupons<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: clipping kroker coupons<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Person<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Clipping Coupons with the Safeway App<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Safeway app to apply coupons at Safeway. This section can be used as a guide for other store apps under Albertson Companies such as Albertsons, Vons, Acme, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: clipping safeway coupons<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Video<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finding Recipes with the Supercook App<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Supercook app to generate recipes with what you already have in your kitchen. Supercook is a tool to discover new recipes and limit food waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: finding recipes with the supercook app<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: finding recipes with the supercook app<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Module 4: Facebook App<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Facebook<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finding Friends and
Chatting Online with the Facebook App<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Kroger app to apply coupons at Kroger affiliated stores such as Kroger, King Soopers, Smith\u2019s, City Market, FredMeyer, Ralph\u2019s, Fry\u2019s, QFC, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: finding friends & using messenger to chat on facebook<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: finding friends & using messenger to chat on facebook<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Facebook<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interacting with Online Communities:
Facebook Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Safeway app to apply coupons at Safeway. This section can be used as a guide for other store apps under Albertson Companies such as Albertsons, Vons, Acme, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: interacting with online communities: Facebook groups<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Written guide: interacting with online communities: Facebook Groups<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Facebook<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Selling Items on
Facebook Marketplace
& Safe Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section will explore how to use the Supercook app to generate recipes with what you already have in your kitchen. Supercook is a tool to discover new recipes and limit food waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video: selling items on facebook marketplace & safe practices<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Written Guide: selling items on facebook marketplace & safe practices<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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About the Program Creator and Spanish Translator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tech Skills for Older Adults was created by Rachel Washburn, B.S. 2024 Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Student Ambassador for Center for Healthy Aging, and was originally piloted at the Fort Collins Senior Center in February 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spanish translated content for Module 1 was created by Brooke Zarecki, B.S. 2024 Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Student Ambassador for Center for Healthy Aging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Online education platform or in-person classes to learn more about your mobile devices Age-Friendly Technology Education Platform for Online Learning  Learn how to use your smartphone or tablet Tech Skills for Older Adults: Five Modules Available with Video Tutorials and Written Guides For Each Topic In a digitally interconnected world, personal electronic devices, such as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"microsite":[],"class_list":["post-459","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/459\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"microsite","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/microsite?post=459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}