Senior Center To Host In-Person Training for Wenatchee World Website

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee World is teaming up with the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center to provide a training session to teach area residents how to use the online editions of the publication. The seminar will be held at the senior center at 1312 Maple Street, Wenatchee, on Tuesday, November 14 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. While the focus is on educating seniors, the class will be offered at no charge and will be open to the public.

The World recently changed from carrier delivery to mail delivery to reduce costs and streamline operations, said Nancy Niles, Managing Editor. "Since we switched to mail, the paper comes later in the day for some people. Others can't fit a print subscription into their budget.  We'd love to show people how to read online."

The World offers two options to read their newspaper online: a website that delivers content in real time, and a digital e-Edition that opens in a web application, replicating the look of the printed newspaper while integrating interactive features such as hyperlinks and searchable content. Niles believes that seniors find the digital edition more appealing because of its similarity to the printed version. "I don't want older people to feel disconnected from the world around them because they can't afford the paper on a fixed income. The digital edition provides a compromise to receive the daily paper at a lower cost."

The senior center has offered technology training and tutoring in the past, including biannual smartphone classes by local instructor Bob Clarke, and individual tutoring by volunteers. They have been actively seeking additional opportunities to provide technology training to their members. Earlier in October, the senior center announced that the NCW Tech Alliance will hold a Technology Popup Event on November 29. The NCW Libraries Bookmobile also visits the senior center twice per month and helps people sign up and use their e-service offerings.

Russ Alman, Communications Director for the senior center, is excited to add the Wenatchee World's training seminar to the program schedule. "In my experience, some seniors resist adopting new technology, like smartphones and online services, because they find it overwhelming. In my research, I'm learning that offering application-specific training, teaching seniors how to accomplish specific tasks with technology, is more appealing than teaching abstract concepts. When seniors see real, tangible results, they become more engaged and confident," said Alman.

Seating is limited, so those interested in attending the class should contact the senior center to reserve a seat. Contact their front desk at 509-662-7036 or RSVP online at bit.ly/ww-training.

Media Contacts: 

• Wenatchee World: Nancy Niles, Managing Editor, niles@wenatcheeworld.com
• WVSAC: Russ Alman, Director of Communications & Development, russ@wenatcheeseniorcenter.com