To think that older people can be molded at work?

[malificent7]

Retraining atm. Have got excellent grades (99% in one exam 88% etc) on course and am conscientious on placement. The only thing i find harder is learning computer skills. Not awful at it but not as quick as my colleagues who are 20 years younger.
In this sense it is harder to teach me but im concerned that when i qualify i will be overlooked/ perceived as harder to mold.
My job involves an element of computer skills but i feel that some of the younger ones think that i will get the hang of it after being told once gow to do it and at speed.

So two things really...how can i convince future emplyers that i am as keen to learn as younger people and also how can i brush up my computing skills?

Don't be daft, at 41 you're a mere youngster! Of course you can pick it up, and you'll bring skills to the workplace that most 20-somethings won't have had time to acquire yet. I'm fifteen years older than ou and more tech savvy than most at work, probably because not afraid to press a key to see what it does & learn that way. If something goes wrong, it can always be fixed.

41? I’m 67 and have been using computers for 25 years. I taught myself by trial and error. I use it for virtually everything and don’t know how I managed the first forty or so years of my life without it.

Oh and at 39 I’m the baby of the team as they gleefully pointed out yesterday!

One of the fundamental things to remember about using computers these days is you can't break it. All apps, programmes, systems and websites are pretty much built with fail-safes and undo buttons so can be reversed. It's not like the old days of DOS where you need to understand the code to know what it is you are doing.

Ok cool...i think the problem is not growing up digital tbh....also i feel that inputting a wrong button could have dire consequences . In my profession it literally could cause harm.
Im 41 btw .

41? I'm 59 and am easily as digital literate as my 18 & 21 yr olds

The best way to learn computing skills is, to a large extent playing around and trying it out once you've been taught something. Fear is the thing that stops you. Can you practice in your own time?
Click and see what happens, you'll see how things work, it will give you a better feel for things. That's very much how children learn, just by doing it over again until they find out what works.
Perhaps using a computer for lots of things ay home and technology will make you feel more confident. Read the news on there, do your banking and emails, brain train, play the odd memory game, anything that gets you reacting.
You are really young, you just lack confidence you need to loose the attitude. My DH is 65 and learnt to use a computer from scratch 20 years ago. He can now fo pretty complex stuff including writing complicated excel formulas as well as all the daily stuff, working through relevant online portals, using specialist software (which is a complex annoying pain). He had no lessons, I gave him a bit of explanation and he just played around. You'll be fine. Dont compare yourself to others, they might seem faster at one thing, but almost certainly aren't as fast or experienced at other things as you.

41?!

My parents are in their sixties and perfectly capable at using all sorts of technology! My dad loves Strava, GPS devices, online banking and all sorts - he thinks it's great you can do all sorts from the comfort of your sofa!

Honestly, you're not old!

hahaha... too old...

I am 55 and started learning computing where back in the day, to "learn computer skills", you first had to build your computer.

Or download your program from a cassette tape.

So please... learning computer skills nowadays is so basic, usually menu and picture based. Press some buttons, have some fun. That is how my kids learnt.

56AlexaAmbidextra

41? I’m 67 and have been using computers for 25 years. I taught myself by trial and error. I use it for virtually everything and don’t know how I managed the first forty or so years of my life without it.
Same here

I'm a little younger than you and pick things up no problem.

The key, I think, is knowing your learning style. I have to do it then I've got it. My workmate (slightly older than you) likes to watch videos.

I don't agree its about growing up digital or not. I didn't and more than happy to figure it out as I go. What's the worst that can happen..

One aspect of my job could kill if I messed it up. But whilst it's on my screen it can't. I don't panic about making a mistake at that point.

41!

If it helps, my father had 50 years on you and was tech savvy. Most of which he learnt after he retired.

i think the problem is not growing up digital tbh

See above... this is no excuse.

I work in xrays so any mistake DOES matter! I think perhaps its not my age but my style of learning. I need to repeat, repeat , repeat.
Othet aspects of my job like anatomical knowledge and patient care are fine but i feel my line manager dosnt get why i might need to repeat a few times before it's ingrained. Once it's in, it's in.

I mean im fine with internet etc. Just cannot see the wood from trees when in front of an interface .

I also freak out when people watch me do it.

I think it also boils down to the fact that im just not that into computers.

I'm in my 50s, I used computers (and learnt coding) when I was at school in the '80s, this is not new technology. You absolutely can do this!

I also freak out when people watch me do it.

That's very common, even with people who are skilled, no one likes to think someone is breathing down their neck. I'd guess your problem is a lack of confidence rather than a lack of aptitude, and certainly not your age. It sounds as though you're a kinetic learner - you learn by doing - could you have a quiet word with your manager and ask if you can be left to practice each step until you get it?

I work for the NHS and I say this in a kind way, but you need to do something to build up your skills and confidence. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is seeing clearly intelligent clinically trained staff act as though using a computer system is beyond them and use the excuse that ‘they’re not into computers’. We’ll get into them because honestly, you make yourself look ridiculous!

I think it also boils down to the fact that im just not that into computers.

Also, stop thinking this. Computers are a tool, not some arcane machinery only intelligible to wizards. No one says they can't drive, wash their clothes, or cook their dinner because they aren't into cars/washing machines/ovens. Think of the computer as what it is: a machine that carries out tasks for you.

Well*

I was involved in computer systems installation and software training back in the 80s and 90s. I was training people who'd never seen a computer before, let alone used them, nor mobile phones, tablets, etc.

"Older" people were no harder to train than younger ones. And at 41, I don't consider you old at all - you've been brought up with computers, mobile phones, tablets, computer gaming consoles etc.

What I'd say is don't be afraid to make notes. Get a note book and write down basic instructions, work flow sequences, etc., so you have something to refer to rather than having to ask your colleague the same questions several times.

41? You're only 2 years older than the oldest millennial! Some of my 41 year old friends are having their first babies.

You do sound like you lack confidence in your abilities. The only way you really pick up computer skills is practice and more practice.

If it helps, apparently some younger people are growing up with crap IT skills because computers are so easy now.

OP I am 5 years younger than you and when I joined workforce, in a developing nation not even in UK, computers/email/etc had been par for the course for at least 20 years.

What was your previous job, if you're retraining in radiography? How did you manage to be employed if you didn't "do" technology?

Anyway...

You say once you are in front of the interface you sort of freeze/ feel you don't "get" it. You HAVE TO work on this. What is your strategy for overcoming this, giving yourself space to learn?

If you want suggestions, here's what I would do:

• never in a million years mention your lack of confidence in this area
• own the fact that you need practice to get the hang of an interface - don't apologise for it, but also don't mention it, it's not relevant, you CAN learn it you just have to have a strategy
• when you are in the job learning a system, have someone go over it with you and take copious notes. After they are gone, type up a list of steps based on your handwritten notes. Mark any questions you have and perhaps email those to the person who trained you. Revise and clarify your notes based on their reply.
• whenever you use the system, have your notes printed out next to you and refer to them. Write any questions per step, on the printed out notes.
• At the end of each day, email questions to the person who is training you, and at the beginning of the next day, add the answers to your notes, revise again, etc. In this way, you keep your questions to once a day, show that you have thought it through, and can keep a record as you build up your competency.
• NEVER apologise for asking questions or going slightly slower as you learn. EVERYONE is allowed to learn, you have to learn as you begin a new role. It's ok to be 20% slower than average - as long as you can show you have a strategy and are taking accountability for it.

Crikey, I thought you were going to say 70s/80s like my Nan who had to have computer skills classes about 20 years ago because she was a teacher but she still can barely use one. 41?! That’s no age at all, I’m surprised you’re struggling so much.

If your learning style with IT is that you need a few takes before you learn the skill, then tell them this and write down each step required. I find that then following my own bullet points is really useful. This is nothing to do with age. It's to do with learning style