When I’m navigating technological advancements, help me to access technology training or support for using digital devices, so that I can stay connected and informed in a rapidly evolving digital world. In this example of the DIY DDM, we see the ways that self doubt and increased challenges can impact a persons ability to learn. This time with a focus on the transformation that occurs after learning to use the DIY to navigate the technological landscape.
Sarah, a vibrant 65-year-old retired teacher, cherishes her mornings with a cup of coffee, catching up on the news and chatting with her adult children over the phone. Yet, lately, she’s found herself increasingly disconnected from their discussions about social media and online tools. She had been resisting getting involved in using anything other than her land line phone. “If it has been good enough so far, no need to change.”, she tells herself. Its only when her daughter gifts her a smartphone that finds herself considering the need to change.
One morning, Sarah attempts to video call her daughter but struggles to navigate her smartphone’s features. As she fails to connect on her first try she becomes frustrated and calls herself old for not being able to make the connection. Although she wants to make the call, her approach is not helping her. Having completed the Deliberate Decision Making course she remembers the importance of being curious. As she recognizes her struggling moment and approaches the learning with curiosity, she begins activating her prefrontal cortex as she recognizes the need to adapt to technology to stay connected with her family. She can see the relevance of having a smartphone to building connections with family and friends.
Sarah begins Step 2, researching and seeking ways to bridge the technological gap. She links mastering technology to rewards like staying connected with her loved ones and being well-informed about the world around her. She also understands that technology can be important in an emergency, if she fell down or was sick. Overall though its connecting with her family and young grandchildren that helps her focus and get motivated to learn something new.
In Step 3, Sarah develops outcome statements. She aims to learn basic technological skills within the next few months to comfortably use digital devices and social media platforms. These outcomes she gets from the features and benefits of the different phones she has been looking at.
And now shes ready to pick the best option for her situation. In Step 4 involves Sarah considering various training options and platforms. She evaluates the trade-offs between formal classes and online tutorials, opting for a combination that suits her learning style and schedule. She recognizes that the key for her is being well supported and being able to ask questions as she goes.
With Step 5, Sarah commits to a structured training program with instructors that are easy to understand. She chooses a local community center offering tech literacy classes and enrolls in online tutorials recommended by her children.
Sarah organizes her learning schedule (Step 6) around her daily routine. She sets aside time each day for online tutorials and attends community classes twice a week. She puts it on her calendar and begins some of the pre-learning for the course. Already she is excited and maintaining the enthusiasm to learn something new.
In Step 7, Sarah actively engages in her learning process. She practices using digital devices and social media platforms, steadily progressing in her understanding and comfort with technology.
As Sarah advances, Step 8 involves evaluating her progress. She feels more confident navigating digital devices and is successfully connecting with her family online. Her family gives her positive feedback about how quickly she has learned and how she can trouble shot the technology without needing much help.
Step 9 sees Sarah recognizing areas for improvement. She realizes the need to delve deeper into specific applications and decides to modify her learning approach by focusing more on practical exercises. So she returns back to the beginning and investigates more advanced courses and different types of technology.
Finally, in Step 10, Sarah shares her progress with her family, discussing how her newfound technological skills have helped her connect better and advocating for technology literacy among her peers. She even setup a webpage where she is posting her experience and sharing it with other seniors who feel intimidated by technology.
Throughout her journey, Sarah remembers the critical importance of staying oriented. She does this by measuring her current state against her outcome statement. By navigating the Pathway steps systematically she also stays focused. With the DIY DDM she has transitioned from a place of frustration and disconnect to feeling empowered and connected in the rapidly evolving digital world. With deliberate decision-making tools, Sarah’s journey showcases a transformation from cognitive rigidity and frustration to increased focus and capacity in embracing technology.