by Mary Conyard
Q 鈥� What attracted you to learning about computers?
Mikaela: I never actually sought an education in computers; it was more something I just grew up with. It’s also the age that I am, computers are just part of life My dad was in IT, he had me do coding classes online and that sort of thing. He was of the opinion that learning about technology was an important life skill.
Q 鈥� What area of computers do you enjoy most?
Mikaela:That’s a good question! I love all of the creative things you can use technology for. A big part of my childhood was making videos with my brother; we put together little movies and edited them. I still love doing that, making films for friends. I like the fact that you can create things with technology.
Q 鈥� When teaching or instructing someone to use a computer, what is the most frequent question they ask you?
Mikaela: For lots of people it’s just about how things work and getting started. I would say though that the main thing people are concerned about is safety- and scam awareness. It doesn’t matter how computer-literate you are, there is always more to learn about how to stay safe online.
Mary: Right So, staying safe. And trying not to press the wrong button.
Q 鈥� What skills are required for your position?
Mikaela: Mainly, I would say patience and troubleshooting.
Research plays a part as well: for any issue that comes up, even if I have never faced it before, I can do my own research and work around it
Q 鈥� What part of your job do you find more challenging and what part is most enjoyable?
Mikaela: The most challenging part when I first started was being able to break down what I know about computers into teachable material that is easily understood. Someone could come to me with a question and my answer could create ten more questions.
For example, if someone wants to open a Facebook account, there are so many steps involved, and assumed knowledge as well. Even just to open a browser and do a search -you start with ‘What’s a browser’?
There is also quite a lot of fear, so a large part is teaching people how to stay safe but not be scared. Trying to help people understand there is no self-destruct button in the computer, there is usually a way to undo what you have done.
Mary: What part is most enjoyable?
Mikaela: There’s a lot I enjoy. Mainly, getting to know so many different people. It’s so special when people come back and are so excited that they have used a skill they learned
– when they are so happy and have a new function they can use in their lives.
Like when you did that PowerPoint presentation, Mary
Mary: It does give a person confidence
Q 鈥� How do you cope or keep up with the continuing changes in the digital field?
Mikaela: I don’t necessarily seek out updates on purpose, but I stay willing to try things out when they are evolving.
If I come across something I don’t know, I can use technology to learn how it works. I just keep being open to trial and error.
Al is a good example. I have enjoyed playing around with that and not being too resistant to change.
Mary: With that example, how do you work out where to start? As in, what is practical and what is not practical?
Mikaela: For me, new technology is a natural progression. As new things come about, it’s only building on the things I have already been using.
Mikaela has facilitated Link Wentworth’s digital literacy Discoveries programs since 2019.The goal of these programs is to help make technology more accessible and useful in people’s daily lives, and to empower participants with the skills and confidence to continue to learn about and use their devices beyond the program
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.