Stratford Elementary students connect with local seniors for tech lessons

A group of Grade 6 students from Stratford Elementary are connecting with local seniors to share their tech know-how.

They just know so much and they're helping me all the way. Shirley Johnson, Andrews of Stratford resident

Every Wednesday for the last three weeks, the school's leadership group and teacher Lydia MacKay have made the 15-minute walk to Andrews of Stratford, where students are paired up with a senior to teach them everything from Facetime to emojis.

"They are really fun to teach because they don't know anything and it's kind of like we get to be the teachers for once," said Brooke Smith.

Student Sam Sharpley said it's been a rewarding experience.

"I just take it for granted how much I know about how to use iPads and stuff but for them that must be pretty hard," he said.

"One of them that I was teaching had a daughter in Halifax and she was Facetiming her and it made her really happy."

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Resident Shirley Johnson got some help signing up for Skype from the students.

"They're marvellous," she said. "They just know so much and they're helping me all the way."

'It's a learning experience'

MacKay, who teaches Grade 6, got the idea when she saw a social media post about the program Cyber-Seniors, a Canadian non-profit which encourages high school students to help seniors get online.

"I think they learn that maybe the generation gap isn't as large as they might think it is," MacKay said."The students are also very proud to share their knowledge that they can teach someone something."

MacKay said there are lessons to be learned for everyone involved.

"The compassion and the empathy that's demonstrated between both sides," she said.

"And the seniors obviously have to exercise some patience with little ones that are trying to show them every single thing they can learn and speak very quickly .. So it's a learning experience for them as well."

'There's tons more seniors out there'

Stratford Elementary School principal Kenny MacDougall said the four-week pilot is a hit.

"I know the days that they're going to go visit the seniors, that they're excited to come to school," he said.

Next week will be the final official visit from the leadership students, though there is already talkofanother session in the spring.

The students are hopeful other schools will follow their lead.

"I think a lot of schools should start doing it," Brooke said. "There's tons more seniors out there ... It's a great opportunity and a lot of fun."