How best to explain Skype to a retirement community?
Saturday, January 7th, 2012 at
6:00 pm
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Filed under: Retirement Communities
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Skype may be wonderful, but it does have annoying glitches. I use it about once a week to talk to my daughter interstate….we both have excellent computer systems and high-speed broadband connections….but I can guarantee that at least once, sometimes five or six times in a 15 minute call, the damned screen will "freeze", we’ll lose the audio, or the whole call will drop out. I report it every time and still it happens. When Skype is really reliable I’ll recommend it to everyone – right now I won’t.
It sounds like you’re well prepared for it. I may suggest giving them a hands on experience. How to set up their skype account perhaps, or even have them calling their relatives right then and there, a little workshop if you will. It may be much though.
Your post is way too long. I didn’t read much of it, but I can tell you most of us aren’t interested in skype,whatever that is.I have a phone and know how to keep in touch with anyone I want to.
I have used Skype and Messenger for a number of years. But I know others who wouldn’t try it.
I am suggesting that it is a good first step to talk about it. But it won’t be as successful as it could be unless you have a hands-on workshop to provide step by step assistance. Once you get them started, then it will be valuable. But just to give the information, won’t do it. Many fear failure, frustration, unknown dangers.Just the weird word, "Skype" is a bit scary really! Lead them through the process and you will have a winner!
You can compare it to the phone, but a more modern way. You get to see the other person just like you are there. Phone call comparisons, may demystify, and engage the imagination.
Good luck.
first ask those who already know how to use it to raise their hands. Then the few left can learn from them. Just set it up and go.